cmpapadellis 's review for:

The Trackers by Charles Frazier

4.0

adventurous emotional informative mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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It’s hard not to compare this book to the two other Charles Frazier novels I’ve read, Cold Mountain(which is a favorite) and Thirteen Moons (which I thought was a little boring). This book sits squarely in between the two. 

On its own however, the book is engaging and I found myself intrigued by the characters— especially the narrator. The pace of the book was just right— not too slow, not too fast. My only real critique of the novel was that the climax and falling action of the book left me a little flat. I was just kind’ve like: “oh, that’s it? Ok.” But there are scenes of genuine suspense, such as when Val meets the Orsons in the backwoods of Florida. I guess by the end, I was expecting a more suspenseful and dramatic climax. 

I’d definitely recommend this book to folks who like “western”-style books like those of Larry McMurtry, John Steinbeck, and of course, Charles Frazier. It reminds me of if The Grapes of Wrath mixed with something like True Grit. While not the greatest western you’ll ever read, it’s compelling enough for you to see it through to the end and be glad you read it.