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A review by foraging_pages
Where the Lost Wander by Amy Harmon
5.0
I tell her I am trapped where the lost wander, and I don’t see any way out.
Oregon Trail, the 1850s, at the crossroads of cultures and humanity
Where the Lost Wander felt realistic which is what I want from historical fiction but it was also so beautifully written, paced, and well-researched. As a “Western,” it didn’t fall prey to the same prejudices that you might find in other Wild West/Oregon Trail books. It wasn’t an “Indian versus cowboys” situation but rather an engaging tribute to both cultures filled with real places and people.
The main couple is controversially mixed-race. Naomi is white while John is half Native American Pawnee and half white. I enjoyed the theme of identity that the relationship stirred up and the way it shaped the novel in many ways. John “Two Feet” Lowery served as a go between in many instances but wasn’t portrayed as if his heritage was his only favorable feature. Naomi is the young widow and artist who captures his heart and shows him true love for the first time. I enjoyed their love story just as much as I enjoyed the familial relationships on both sides.
This story is a mourning for the old Native American ways. It made me sad to think of how their culture and people have been wiped out. I am happy that writers like Amy Harmon work to keep the old ways in our written history. It deserves to be remembered. Harmon has ties to American settlers while her husband is related to the real John Lowery, so if anyone has the right and the passion to write such a book, she does.
I teared up a little while reading which is rare for me. This story and it’s characters will be on my mind for a long time. Amy Harmon, I’ll definitely be reading more of your books!
Oregon Trail, the 1850s, at the crossroads of cultures and humanity
Where the Lost Wander felt realistic which is what I want from historical fiction but it was also so beautifully written, paced, and well-researched. As a “Western,” it didn’t fall prey to the same prejudices that you might find in other Wild West/Oregon Trail books. It wasn’t an “Indian versus cowboys” situation but rather an engaging tribute to both cultures filled with real places and people.
The main couple is controversially mixed-race. Naomi is white while John is half Native American Pawnee and half white. I enjoyed the theme of identity that the relationship stirred up and the way it shaped the novel in many ways. John “Two Feet” Lowery served as a go between in many instances but wasn’t portrayed as if his heritage was his only favorable feature. Naomi is the young widow and artist who captures his heart and shows him true love for the first time. I enjoyed their love story just as much as I enjoyed the familial relationships on both sides.
This story is a mourning for the old Native American ways. It made me sad to think of how their culture and people have been wiped out. I am happy that writers like Amy Harmon work to keep the old ways in our written history. It deserves to be remembered. Harmon has ties to American settlers while her husband is related to the real John Lowery, so if anyone has the right and the passion to write such a book, she does.
I teared up a little while reading which is rare for me. This story and it’s characters will be on my mind for a long time. Amy Harmon, I’ll definitely be reading more of your books!