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lgpiper's review
3.0
This is allegedly a historical novel about the opening of the "west". Only, we're at the end of the 18th century, and the "west" means whatever is west of Pittsburgh (well, Fort Pitt in those days). Apparently, some of the material comes from some papers Zane Grey found in his family's archives.
So, we begin with a group heading off down the Ohio River from Fort Pitt into the "west" to become missionaries, or famous frontiersmen. The party includes Jim and Joe Downs, Jim a missionary wanna be, and Joe a frontiersman wanna be. We also have Nell and Kate Wells who are accompanying their uncle, Mr. Wells, who is a missionary proper. They're heading to a village of peace set up by Moravian missionaries. The point is to civilize the "savages" by converting them into Christians and by teaching them agriculture and useful trades.
But, there are, of course, complications. There are evil "white Indians", most notably Simon Girty. They are depraved white men who live with the Indians and who try to stir up trouble, and of course, steal and traffic white women when they can.
Well, I'll stop here. It was a mildly interesting story, albeit hideously racist. No crap, the Indians (Native Americans in modern parlance) say things like, "Ugh!" Also, we're told more than once that the only good Indian is a dead one. Interestingly, there is an admission buried away to the effect that one of the reasons the Indians are somewhat restive is because the white men have come and stolen their lands. An interesting admission for a book written more than a hundred years ago when we were all over manifest destiny and such.
So, we begin with a group heading off down the Ohio River from Fort Pitt into the "west" to become missionaries, or famous frontiersmen. The party includes Jim and Joe Downs, Jim a missionary wanna be, and Joe a frontiersman wanna be. We also have Nell and Kate Wells who are accompanying their uncle, Mr. Wells, who is a missionary proper. They're heading to a village of peace set up by Moravian missionaries. The point is to civilize the "savages" by converting them into Christians and by teaching them agriculture and useful trades.
But, there are, of course, complications. There are evil "white Indians", most notably Simon Girty. They are depraved white men who live with the Indians and who try to stir up trouble, and of course, steal and traffic white women when they can.
Well, I'll stop here. It was a mildly interesting story, albeit hideously racist. No crap, the Indians (Native Americans in modern parlance) say things like, "Ugh!" Also, we're told more than once that the only good Indian is a dead one. Interestingly, there is an admission buried away to the effect that one of the reasons the Indians are somewhat restive is because the white men have come and stolen their lands. An interesting admission for a book written more than a hundred years ago when we were all over manifest destiny and such.
el_entrenador_loco's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
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