Review by Pallavi85 -- Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon
Posted: 21 Feb 2020, 05:41
[Following is a volunteer review of "Strong Heart" by Charlie Sheldon.]
Review by Pallavi -- Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon
Strong Heart is a picturesque presentation of the entanglement of nature and human, as of today and even our ancestors as they use to be. We all are sharing a common bond, with nature and among our own selves, something inherited through our lineage. The story revolves around William, his daughter Myra, natives from the tribes of Haida Gwaii and William's friend Tom. But the center position is acquired by Sarah, Tom's grand daughter.
William, Tom and Myra shared a very coordial and friendly relation. They were utterly surprised when Tom's ex-wife surfaced up with Sarah, a cranky and arduous teen. Sarah was to stay with Tom for some time. All these guys had already planned camping to Olympic National Park. Though it was William's idea, the group finally agreed to take Sarah along. William cited and in a way concreted his decision of bringing Sarah with them by saying that it was destined for her to visit her great great grandfather's resting place, Bob-Bob as Tom used to call him. The decision though proved a bit more than risky for them. Tom who was suddenly placed in an awkward situation to take the responsibility of the child whose existence was even not known to him till now. He had his reasons to visit the place where his grandfather rested in peace. Sarah's attitude and her rough behavior towards Tom and even others, added much to the already prevailing hostility. All these led to a series of tough arguments ahead.
The most thrilling part starts with their adventurous journey to Mount Olympus. Carrying the ancient bone - artefact which Tom called atlatl, probably a spear thrower brought along by the ones who were among the first to reach western hemisphere, which Tom wanted to return to his grandfather and also to the place from where it was found. Sarah, the unhappy and relentless kid was, excellent in drawing sketches. As they kept climbing, Sarah apart from others, sketched a kind of small faced huge bear which was believed to be extinct until Sarah claimed to see. Sarah overheard Tom clearing the fact to William that Sarah was yet undesirable in his present life. In the rage of anger, she dissapeared with the atlatl and remained lost for eight days. For the time being all the three continued their search for Sarah. Tom was so much dishearted that he was searching for Sarah's body instead. He felt as if it was impossible to retrieve Sarah back again as how could a weak girl survive in such harsh conditions for such a long time. But Sarah appeared finally in a condition of mental shock, torn rugged clothes, a missing finger part, bruising hands. Later on she told some unbelievable and unrealistic stories about where she had been. She in her story, had taken a voyage as our ancestral tribes used to do following seasonal and circadian rhythms.
Apart from these, the story holds up a few political clashes dealing with mining and some environment related issues. The presence of miners like Roger and Pete with powerful connections having claims regarding ownership of the land were posing a real threat to natural harmony.
What I liked most in the book was all about tribal people, their roots, the prehistoric migration, all contained in Sarah's story. According to Myra which may be a result of some sort of concussion in brain following the injury. Sheldon has written about the natives, the under appreciated culture, but in a very regarding and thoughtful manner. The flow of Elwha river, the picto-geographical representation of the Olympic mountains and the Pacific Northwest was really magnificent.Listening to the tooth-told tales are a part of heritage from our great great ancestors. How Seregi tried to use them and extract data from the same for his research was really impressive. It strengthens the need so that our tribal stories never deserve to be ignored. It was very apt while the author calling it a land of magic, history and legends though in Myra's words. The restless feeling what Tom felt, after his denial of accepting Sarah and then the feeling of loosing her for ever, was very touching indeed.
What I didn't like was Ruth's lack of concern towards her grand daughter. Sarah's suffering in hands of Ruth's husband, Lynch was really agonizing for me. Also, how the natives are presented socially even in present day surroundings is evident by Tom calling his close friend as Shaman at times.
I will rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. The book has been edited professionally. Thanks to Charlie Sheldon for such a beautiful creation. This fantastic fantasy was calling me on one more trip ahead.
******
Strong Heart
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Review by Pallavi -- Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon
Strong Heart is a picturesque presentation of the entanglement of nature and human, as of today and even our ancestors as they use to be. We all are sharing a common bond, with nature and among our own selves, something inherited through our lineage. The story revolves around William, his daughter Myra, natives from the tribes of Haida Gwaii and William's friend Tom. But the center position is acquired by Sarah, Tom's grand daughter.
William, Tom and Myra shared a very coordial and friendly relation. They were utterly surprised when Tom's ex-wife surfaced up with Sarah, a cranky and arduous teen. Sarah was to stay with Tom for some time. All these guys had already planned camping to Olympic National Park. Though it was William's idea, the group finally agreed to take Sarah along. William cited and in a way concreted his decision of bringing Sarah with them by saying that it was destined for her to visit her great great grandfather's resting place, Bob-Bob as Tom used to call him. The decision though proved a bit more than risky for them. Tom who was suddenly placed in an awkward situation to take the responsibility of the child whose existence was even not known to him till now. He had his reasons to visit the place where his grandfather rested in peace. Sarah's attitude and her rough behavior towards Tom and even others, added much to the already prevailing hostility. All these led to a series of tough arguments ahead.
The most thrilling part starts with their adventurous journey to Mount Olympus. Carrying the ancient bone - artefact which Tom called atlatl, probably a spear thrower brought along by the ones who were among the first to reach western hemisphere, which Tom wanted to return to his grandfather and also to the place from where it was found. Sarah, the unhappy and relentless kid was, excellent in drawing sketches. As they kept climbing, Sarah apart from others, sketched a kind of small faced huge bear which was believed to be extinct until Sarah claimed to see. Sarah overheard Tom clearing the fact to William that Sarah was yet undesirable in his present life. In the rage of anger, she dissapeared with the atlatl and remained lost for eight days. For the time being all the three continued their search for Sarah. Tom was so much dishearted that he was searching for Sarah's body instead. He felt as if it was impossible to retrieve Sarah back again as how could a weak girl survive in such harsh conditions for such a long time. But Sarah appeared finally in a condition of mental shock, torn rugged clothes, a missing finger part, bruising hands. Later on she told some unbelievable and unrealistic stories about where she had been. She in her story, had taken a voyage as our ancestral tribes used to do following seasonal and circadian rhythms.
Apart from these, the story holds up a few political clashes dealing with mining and some environment related issues. The presence of miners like Roger and Pete with powerful connections having claims regarding ownership of the land were posing a real threat to natural harmony.
What I liked most in the book was all about tribal people, their roots, the prehistoric migration, all contained in Sarah's story. According to Myra which may be a result of some sort of concussion in brain following the injury. Sheldon has written about the natives, the under appreciated culture, but in a very regarding and thoughtful manner. The flow of Elwha river, the picto-geographical representation of the Olympic mountains and the Pacific Northwest was really magnificent.Listening to the tooth-told tales are a part of heritage from our great great ancestors. How Seregi tried to use them and extract data from the same for his research was really impressive. It strengthens the need so that our tribal stories never deserve to be ignored. It was very apt while the author calling it a land of magic, history and legends though in Myra's words. The restless feeling what Tom felt, after his denial of accepting Sarah and then the feeling of loosing her for ever, was very touching indeed.
What I didn't like was Ruth's lack of concern towards her grand daughter. Sarah's suffering in hands of Ruth's husband, Lynch was really agonizing for me. Also, how the natives are presented socially even in present day surroundings is evident by Tom calling his close friend as Shaman at times.
I will rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. The book has been edited professionally. Thanks to Charlie Sheldon for such a beautiful creation. This fantastic fantasy was calling me on one more trip ahead.
******
Strong Heart
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon