In Meadowlark Songs: A Motherline Legacy, Joy Neal Kidney serves as both a historian and a bard for her own bloodline, following the sinewy thread of maternal inheritance through seven generations of Iowa women. With surprising tenderness and an eye for the softly important moments of everyday life, she curates a lyrical history that is part memoir, part elegy, and part love letter to those who came before.
This isn’t a book about major events or political movements. Rather, it is a deep, resonant dive into the personal geography of family—cooking fires and quilt stitches, Sunday feasts and funeral hymns, meadowlarks’ songs and the weight of antique dinnerware. via the lives of Jane, Lucy, Emilia, Laura, Leora, Doris, and finally Joy herself, we see how strength, faith, sadness, and perseverance are passed down not only via mitochondrial DNA but also through gesture, memory, and example.
The themes of faith, adversity, and female agency recur throughout the story. This is especially evident in the lives of women like Leora Goff Wilson, who kept her family afloat during two world wars and the Great Depression, and Doris Neal, a lady shaped by hard times, sorrow, and resilience. These tales show how character is formed in the crucible of history, how hope is nurtured during difficult times, and how women pulled families together through sheer willpower and practical magic.
The book’s resonance is heightened by its poetic cadence. Kidney’s style frequently evokes the tenderness of hymnals and the seriousness of scripture—appropriate for a lineage that combines pioneer grit and calm grace. Her chapter titles sound like folk songs—”Meadowlarks and Prairie Roses,” “Faith,” “Eggs and Dandelion Greens,” “That Awful Feeling of Grief”—and the entire work is filled with the music of recollection.
Though based on a single family’s tale, this book conveys a universal truth: we are all the product of those who came before us, formed by their choices, guided by their ideals, and frequently inspired by the quiet courage of their lives.
Readers of family memoirs, American history buffs with a concentration on pioneer and Depression-era living, genealogists, women’s history lovers, and anybody who has ever turned the yellowing pages of an old photo book and wondered what happened to the people in those sepia photographs.
This beautiful book, like a meadowlark’s song floating across the Iowa plains, lingers—melancholic, inspiring, and completely human.
Patricia Furstenberg is an internationally published author of 19 books, celebrated for her evocative blend of historical fiction, folklore, and poetic storytelling. She lives between worlds — Romania and South Africa, folklore and fact, medicine and literature — crafting stories that explore human tenacity, historical nuance, and the enduring power of compassion. Whether writing for adults or children, her books invite readers to pause, reflect, and rediscover the extraordinary within the ordinary.
Patricia’s Author Page on BookBub
Every word Patricia says is true, Joy. Congratulations on this wonderful review!!
Thank you, GP. Her reflections give me goosebumps.
What an amazing review. Congratulations!!
Thank you, Darlene. What an amazing review!
A great review for your book, Joy!
Yes, what a gift!
What a fabulous review! Some reviews seem insincere (similar to when someone writes a tepid testimonial about a potential employee), but this one knocks it out of the park.
And it’s such a treat to learn how your words were filtered through a kindred reader, one who can articulate things such a compelling way!
“Poetic cadence” – yes! So perfectly put! Congratulations and much love, Joy! 🥰
And what a delight to learn how your words struck a kindred reader, one gifted at putting thoughts into words!
Aww! Love you oodles! Xo! 🥰
Patricia writes the most beautiful reviews, doesn’t she? Congrats, Joy, on being the recipient. Her lovely recommendation is well-deserved.
Oh, Diana, my book was published right while I was being diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease and couldn’t even do a radio interview. Patricia’s beautiful review is such a gift, especially these miserable days! (I had my first biologic infusion a week ago and am doing better. . . ) Thanks so much for your comment.
I didn’t know you were ill, Joy. And I’m glad to hear that you’re doing better. Your book got some beautiful reviews. I imagine they helped you smile, even during tough times.
They sure did!
Meadowlark Songs was so much more than I expected, Joy. I am so excited that my review resonated with so many of your blog followers. I hope it will help more readers discover your book. Hugs.
Patricia, your review has been such a gift! Getting to read how my words came across to another kindred soul, and how beautifully you express it. Meadowlark Songs was published just as I was being diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. I was miserable and they couldn’t find anything to help until recently, so I couldn’t even do radio interviews, which I usually enjoy. So your gift was also well-timed! Bless you.
Lovely, Joy! How lovely!!
What a beautifully written review to honor Meadowlark Songs. Congratulations, Joy!
Thank you, Liz. What a well-timed gift!
You’re welcome, Joy!
Congratulations for this great review, Joy!
Thank you, Tim! I’m still basking in her gift.
Joy, not a comment! How are you? You mentioned side effects of the infusion. Scary, you said. More info, please. It helps my prayers to be specific.
Mainly the heightened chances of developing cancers (lymphoma and skin). They’ll be watching my enzymes, whatever that means. My feet and lower legs are swollen but I’m determined to keep walking some every day. Thank you, Gail.
When is the next infusion?
Monday. I hope it lasts longer than the first one, as I’ve got troublesome symptoms back. . .
🙏🙏❤️
Could you please add my guy, Doug, to your prayers? His regular every 6 months checkup for the weird cancer he has in his left eye. It’s been stable for 4 checks, and there’s no real reason to expect anything different, but …. It’s August 12, which is also our 30th anniversary. I just found your earlier reply with the date of your next infusion. Lots of prayers flying about those two dates!
Yes, I will. What a vulnerable spot for cancer. May you enjoy and celebrate your milestone anniversary!
Thanks.
Oh, I pray that your husband’s checkup was uneventful, and you can really enjoy your anniversary!
Patricia Furstenberg appeared to be profoundly inspired by “Meadowlark Songs.” How can anyone who reads this heartfelt review not read the book? Congratulations, Joy! 🙂
The internet makes it possible for kindred spirits to find each other, doesn’t it! She’s from South Africa, of all places, but found heart tugs that I hadn’t while writing it. Thank you, Nancy.
You’re welcome, Joy! I pray that you feel better today. 🙏🙏🙏
Thank you, Nancy. First solid food since Friday, feeling hopeful.
😁🥰🤗
Congratulations, Joy, on this fabulous review so well deserved!
Thank you, Lauren.