"But now that we have actually embarked upon this journey, our future is so uncertain, and so unknown, it is impossible not to have misgivings. How ironic that in order to escape the lunatic asylum I have had to embark upon the most insane undertaking of my life."
"I am rather accustomed to doing the unconventional, the unpopular... Frankly, from the way I have been treated by the so-called 'civilized' people in my life, I rather look forward to residency among the savages."
"As I look around the circle of this tipi, even the chokingly close walls of my old room at the asylum suddenly seem in memory to be somehow comforting, familiar...a square, solid room with four walls... but, no, these thoughts I banish. I live in a new world, on a new earth, among new people. Courage!"
Jim Fergus does an excellent job of immersing the reader in the past, detailing that time period, and the Cheyenne people and their way of life, and their continuing conflict with the American government despite their white wives. But it's the women who are at the heart of this novel. It's told through the journals and letters of May Dodd, a very independent and memorable character. My one complaint is that sometimes her letters overlap with her journal entries and end up repeating the same information. But that's a small thing. Overall, this book is both a compelling and very heartbreaking read. I'm grateful to Sam at Book Chase who first introduced me to Fergus's trilogy.
Happy Reading!
Similar read:
Ride the Wind by Lucia St. Clair Robson (which is based on the true story of Cynthia Ann Parker and her life with the Comanche)
This sounds like such an interesting read. I love historical fiction but haven't read many set during this time period.
ReplyDeleteThis is a time period I've always found interesting! :)
DeleteIt is interesting that we are so fascinated with early settlers. They had so much to endure: violence, weather, wild animals, no running water or electricity, no grocery stores, isolation. Much like the dystopian novels we enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI've never connected the two in that way, but you're right! That's probably a lot of the fascination for me...seeing how people survived back then, and in those possible dystopian futures. :)
DeleteI read this one a while back. It had a bit too much - romance- for my taste, and I didn't realize it was part of a trilogy until I saw Sam's reviews. I'm thinking of finishing the series one day now.
ReplyDeleteI'm curious to see where the next books go because they can't continue on with May, but it might take me awhile to get around to reading them.
DeleteI'll be reading this one for the Historicals challenge. I'll have to try to remember that it's heart-breaking.
ReplyDeleteYeah I thought that ending was a little sad. But then most stories involving Native Indian Americans end up being sad.
DeleteThis is a book I have been hearing about for years and have been meaning to read. I love that its in diary form, a pioneer woman's journal. Fiction of course but we probably learn alot about the old West and May's life which could not have been an easy one with her father.
ReplyDeleteI like books written in diary form, too. :D And I appreciated all the details the author included about the Cheyenne, and their culture and way of life. It was very interesting.
DeleteThis sounds like such a fascinating read. It's always interesting seeing what life was like back then.
ReplyDeleteI like reading books about that time period, too. I always learn something. :)
DeleteI think I would like One Thousand White Women, that sounds like an intriguing story.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely an interesting one. And good, if you don't mind sad endings.
DeleteI think I'd rather marry into an Indian tribe than be stuck in an asylum back then, too! I've heard horror stories that made them sound more like torture chambers than a place to go when you need help with mental illness. Also, I've heard that a good percentage weren't even mentally ill! So sad. I don't think this would be fore me if it has a sad ending, though.
ReplyDeleteYes! Anything to get released from those awful asylums. And getting married did give May a lot more freedom, but there weren't any happy endings in this one.
DeleteGreat review! This is one I've always wanted to read and haven't yet gotten to for some reason.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. I have an ever-growing list of books that I haven't gotten to yet. ;D
DeleteI'm happy to see that you enjoyed this one as much as I hoped you would, Lark. I'm a fan of "alternate history" titles, and I think this one fits comfortably into that and several other genre categories.
ReplyDeleteIn my experience, the second book in the series is just as good as this one, but the series (or me) began to lose a little steam with the final one. I'll be curious to see what you think of those if you continue on.
It might take me awhile to get to the third book in this 'trilogy', I have so many books I want to read. But I'm very glad I read this one. And I agree, alternate history stories are fun. :)
DeleteThis sounds like a fascinating read! Glad to hear you enjoyed this book so much so that you'll be reading more by this author. :)
ReplyDeleteI did think this was a good read. And Fergus is a good author. :)
DeleteSounds like a fascinating historical read! I will have to keep this one my radar.
ReplyDeleteIt's one to keep in mind if you're ever in the mood for a historical fiction book. :)
DeleteI love historical fiction, but I still haven't read this one. I need to get on that, especially since both you and Sam enjoyed it so much.
ReplyDeleteIt's good. And it's interesting. And well-written. But I didn't love the way it ended.
DeleteI seem to read more historical fiction set around this time period when it's set in Europe than I do in the American West. I should check that out!
ReplyDeleteI just need to read more historical fiction! I like it and I'm always glad when I read a good historical fiction novel, but as you know, I tend to read more mystery and suspense than anything else. :)
DeleteOh wow, this is such an intense read -- I don't know this genre too well, but every blurb makes me want to cry.
ReplyDeleteIntense and sad are two good words to describe this book. But still worth reading. :)
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