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bluestjuice's review against another edition
3.0
I think this is probably a better book than my rating would lead one to believe. Like most historical fiction, it paints between the rough outlines of the historical record to create a landscape which is both plausible and (one hopes) interesting, but this novel goes above and beyond and crosses over from simply intriguing storytelling into a realm that brushes against poetry. The expedition of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark up the Missouri River and through the northwest to the Pacific Ocean is pretty well documented, but Hall's writing brought the era to life in several different perspectives - we have the cultured, tormented voice of Lewis, the straightforward voice of Clark, even occasionally the weasel-y broken-English voice of Charbonneau. Each of these perspectives is distinctive, demonstrating an elasticity that is impressive in its own right. And then there is the voice of Tsakakawia, the teenaged Shoshone girl who, infant son in arms, operates as guide and translator for the party through the later part of their journey. Her passages are like nothing I have encountered before, and I am not remotely knowledgeable enough about Native cultures or language to know whether Hall's work here approaches accuracy or appropriateness. It is clear that it was handled with great respect, which I admire.
The writing is lyrical, and the pace of the story (especially a story in which so many of the plot points are fairly known) was slow for me. It was not a page-turner; there was no urgency hurrying me on to the next destination. Rather, like a slow journey upstream, it took its time, and even when the journey's tale was done, the final eighth of the book concerned itself with following the characters farther, winding their lives down and allowing musing on the nature of legacy, of character, of how various choices at various times shaped the nature of America's frontier and the ripples that appear even in our own day from the interactions between these various peoples in a place far from established 'civilization.'
I don't think I will ever want to read this book again. Nevertheless, there are scenes and passages that will stick with me. Bear-hunting across the Missouri. Every pang of subtext directed from Lewis to Clark. Tsakakawia's death passage, in which she pines over her lost culture and the loss of her son Jean-Baptiste, left me chilled.
The writing is lyrical, and the pace of the story (especially a story in which so many of the plot points are fairly known) was slow for me. It was not a page-turner; there was no urgency hurrying me on to the next destination. Rather, like a slow journey upstream, it took its time, and even when the journey's tale was done, the final eighth of the book concerned itself with following the characters farther, winding their lives down and allowing musing on the nature of legacy, of character, of how various choices at various times shaped the nature of America's frontier and the ripples that appear even in our own day from the interactions between these various peoples in a place far from established 'civilization.'
I don't think I will ever want to read this book again. Nevertheless, there are scenes and passages that will stick with me. Bear-hunting across the Missouri. Every pang of subtext directed from Lewis to Clark. Tsakakawia's death passage, in which she pines over her lost culture and the loss of her son Jean-Baptiste, left me chilled.
tshere's review against another edition
4.0
Really liked this fictionalized version of the Lewis & Clark story, focussing on Lewis but written from several points of view.
ryner's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I'm strongly drawn to adventure+survival stories, and I've now delved into a number of works, both fiction and nonfiction, on the Corps of Discovery. (I can't recommend The Lewis and Clark Journals from the University of Nebraska Press highly enough, despite how dull it might ostensibly sound to read someone's travel diaries. And Undaunted Courage comes next on my list.) I thought a historical fiction adaptation could be an interesting way to present varying perspectives, and I was curious to see what Hall might do with it. Overall, the writing style was beautiful and evocative and the narrative captivating, though there were times when the pace made me feel like I was not making a great deal of progress. Due to the affected voice, the chapters focusing on Charbonneau and Tsakakawia [sic] fell somewhere between pretentious and cringey. It also seemed like portions of the journey were missing, with the second half more or less glossed over compared with the first. Just a final aside: it is with enormous disappointment, though not the fault of the author, that after reading the description of the majestic and breathtaking "Great Falls" and thinking I'd like to see them someday, further research revealed that they have long been dammed and no longer look anything as they did.
stenaros's review against another edition
1.0
I really, really wanted to like this book. Really. As a former history major, I should welcome such well-written first-person historical fiction about the Lewis and Clark Expedition. But I didn't like this book. I didn't like it 10 pages in and I didn't like it after reading 50 pages. Hall wonderfully creates his characters: Lewis, Clark, Sacajawea and eventuallySacajawea's husband, though I didn't get that far. The language painted vivid pictures in my mind. The plot pacing was good. I just did not like it. I tried, but I didn't.
melrosereads's review against another edition
2.0
I tried to like it but I just can't it's not my cup of tea.
gracieinspacie's review against another edition
3.0
This book took me so long to read it's frankly pretty embarrassing. I'm finally done though! Finally free! This was such a trial to read, really, because of how it was written. Also I feel kind of uncomfortable with how certain things were presented, especially in the Sacajawea parts. They are quite possibly historically accurate, but presented I think in a way the borders on grotesque.
Despite this, I like sobbed through a solid portion of the books ending. I feel like the characterization, particularly of Lewis, was very well executed.
This book constantly waffled between a five star and a two star for me, so I settled on three stars.
Despite this, I like sobbed through a solid portion of the books ending. I feel like the characterization, particularly of Lewis, was very well executed.
This book constantly waffled between a five star and a two star for me, so I settled on three stars.
daschneider's review
5.0
A deep and provocative exploration of the Lewis and Clark expedition, loyalty, culture, voice, language, expectations, disappointment, change, disruption, and America as a young, rough nation. Seriously cannot get this book out of my mind after many years.
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