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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
In 1854, the Cheyenne people requested a gift from the US government: one thousand white woman to be brides to Cheyenne warriors. They looked at this as a perfect opportunity for assimilation because to the Cheyenne, children belong to the mother's tribe. The Cheyenne recognized that there was no room for them in this new, white world. Of course the US government refused, and probably found great offense in the request. This story is kind of a "what if"... What if the government had agreed? So we follow the story of May Dodd, a woman who was put into an asylum by her family for "promiscuity". She enters this program to be free of the asylum with the hope that she will some day see her own children again.
The premise for this book has a lot of promise. The actual story telling was awful. The author often forgot this was supposed to be a journal. There was too much dialogue (which normally I like, but this is supposed to be a journal, for heaven's sake) and too much of it was written in "real time". I guess I was expecting something more along the lines of "These is My Words", but instead found a very modern sounding, trashy novel. There was so much sex in this book, it was more than ridiculous. I understand a little bit here and there, but it was too much detail, and too often. I also didn't find the characters believable, especially the main character. I understand it's hard for a man to write well about a woman, but it seems he was taking his idea of a modern woman and stuck her in the late 1800s. Her attitudes about marriage and religion as well as just how outspoken she was just didn't fit in the time period. And every one of the white women seemed to have the same problem. They were too modern to fit in to the time period.
The writing was mediocre and the the characters too cliche'. I wouldn't bother with this book if I were you.
The premise for this book has a lot of promise. The actual story telling was awful. The author often forgot this was supposed to be a journal. There was too much dialogue (which normally I like, but this is supposed to be a journal, for heaven's sake) and too much of it was written in "real time". I guess I was expecting something more along the lines of "These is My Words", but instead found a very modern sounding, trashy novel. There was so much sex in this book, it was more than ridiculous. I understand a little bit here and there, but it was too much detail, and too often. I also didn't find the characters believable, especially the main character. I understand it's hard for a man to write well about a woman, but it seems he was taking his idea of a modern woman and stuck her in the late 1800s. Her attitudes about marriage and religion as well as just how outspoken she was just didn't fit in the time period. And every one of the white women seemed to have the same problem. They were too modern to fit in to the time period.
The writing was mediocre and the the characters too cliche'. I wouldn't bother with this book if I were you.
So many in our book group believed it to be true….it was that convincing!
Interesting book about a time period we have all seen depicted in many a western movie. Have not read much though from this time period. I am anxious to compare this book to another book that is waiting in the wings, Comanche Moon which is the story of Cynthia Ann Parker, a Texas girl kidnapped by the Comanches. This book focuses on the story of May Dodd and other white women promised as brides to Comanche chiefs to better aid in the introduction of Native Americans into the culture of the conquerors.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Pretty enjoyable book that I liked in spite of itself. It could be hokey and trite - many of the characters were so stereotypical I laughed out loud - and teetered on the edge of a cheap romance novel. But the historical tidbits, the details of the Cheyennes' lives, and some of the descriptions of the land redeemed it enough to give it 3 stars. Strangely enough, my usual "happy ending" desires were thwarted, and that was a good thing. It kept the story from being too over the top and that helped give it that third star.
It was an easy, uncomplicated read.
It was an easy, uncomplicated read.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
I read this about 20 years ago but recently came across the sequel, “The Vengeance of Mothers” and reread it so I follow the sequel. I enjoyed the re-read and look forward to the next book.
Okay there were so many things I did not like about this book, but nothing that anyone else hasn’t pointed out. The book comes across oddly as a result of the writing & depiction of the characters.
The story however if you can get past some of the just unnecessary portrayals, it was a compelling read & I read it very quickly as a result.
Lots to unpack from both the actual story, and from the experience of reading it.
The story however if you can get past some of the just unnecessary portrayals, it was a compelling read & I read it very quickly as a result.
Lots to unpack from both the actual story, and from the experience of reading it.
Based on a real episode in which 1,000 women became mail-order brides to the Cherokees not long after the Civil War. The author was writing about his distant ancestor. It was interesting until we got to the native American part. I just didn't think the author was able to inhabit the persona of a woman well enough and the racism was too relentless (even if it may have been true to the period). So I stopped about halfway through the book. Too many books to keep reading one I don't care about enough to finish.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
One of the best books I've ever read! Prepare yourself!