Review by Ebehar -- Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon
Posted: 04 Mar 2018, 16:10
[Following is a volunteer review of "Strong Heart" by Charlie Sheldon.]
4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
All too often, the Native American stories capture the imagination, but they fail to connect with the reader. Both a coming of age story and a mythical narrative, Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon bucks that trend. Tom’s granddaughter Sarah is dumped on his doorstep days before he heads into the Olympic National Park. Making the best of the surprise, Tom and Sarah, joined by Tom’s friend William and his daughter Myra, take the journey to close some unfinished business. Sarah vanishes, and when she emerges eight days later, she has been changed forever. Everyone in the small group responds differently to the events Sarah endures, challenging their assumptions about their tribal roots, prehistoric migration patterns, and the connections we all share.
When writing fiction, it easy to skate over and contort historical events to serve the author’s purpose. Sheldon works within the history- William was taken from the reservation to be assimilated into “American” culture. Sheldon does not minimize this suffering, merely making it part of the character. Tom teases William for his “shaman” like tendencies- and his pronouncements do have a funny way of coming true. William’s daughter Myra straddles the two worlds, as an anthropologist with sympathetic opinions of her tribe’s link with North America. Sergei, a Russian Koryak, debates a combative Myra, allowing the reader to explore complicated theories about prehistoric animals and humans alike. True to life, the two never truly agree; but their debates do sneakily educate readers.
It is not easy to write a granddaughter, or a grandfather, character. Sarah is simultaneously strong and vulnerable. The events that happen in the Olympic National Park shape her, but Tom recognized that potential spark from the beginning. Which is what she needed- a man to respect her natural ability and to refuse to be pushed away. Sheldon realistically tracks Tom’s shock and reluctance at taking on the burden of Sarah, the shame at how he never knew her, and the pride he takes in her growth. Both characters are fully formed people, with their secrets and their histories, and a desire to share those things with someone.
Sheldon writes what he knows- having literally navigated oceans as a commercial fisherman, then figuratively as a consultant resolving tribal fishing conflicts. His personal connection with the Olympic Mountains and the Pacific Northwest makes Strong Heart a visual masterpiece. The detailed descriptions of mountain meadows, the turbulent coast, and the picturesque trails will make even the laziest couch potatoes looking up flights.
This book earns 4 out of 4 stars. Everyone reads for different reasons, and I found all my reasons in this book. The characters are authentic- no stereotypes or cliches here. It was informative- I knew little about the Native American tribes of the Pacific Northwest, and now at least I can begin to know the culture. The narrative is compelling- the book flows naturally, integrating all elements seamlessly. Dive into Strong Heart to explore an underappreciated culture, and to experience one girl’s journey through time and space to understand herself.
******
Strong Heart
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like Ebehar's review? Post a comment saying so!
4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
All too often, the Native American stories capture the imagination, but they fail to connect with the reader. Both a coming of age story and a mythical narrative, Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon bucks that trend. Tom’s granddaughter Sarah is dumped on his doorstep days before he heads into the Olympic National Park. Making the best of the surprise, Tom and Sarah, joined by Tom’s friend William and his daughter Myra, take the journey to close some unfinished business. Sarah vanishes, and when she emerges eight days later, she has been changed forever. Everyone in the small group responds differently to the events Sarah endures, challenging their assumptions about their tribal roots, prehistoric migration patterns, and the connections we all share.
When writing fiction, it easy to skate over and contort historical events to serve the author’s purpose. Sheldon works within the history- William was taken from the reservation to be assimilated into “American” culture. Sheldon does not minimize this suffering, merely making it part of the character. Tom teases William for his “shaman” like tendencies- and his pronouncements do have a funny way of coming true. William’s daughter Myra straddles the two worlds, as an anthropologist with sympathetic opinions of her tribe’s link with North America. Sergei, a Russian Koryak, debates a combative Myra, allowing the reader to explore complicated theories about prehistoric animals and humans alike. True to life, the two never truly agree; but their debates do sneakily educate readers.
It is not easy to write a granddaughter, or a grandfather, character. Sarah is simultaneously strong and vulnerable. The events that happen in the Olympic National Park shape her, but Tom recognized that potential spark from the beginning. Which is what she needed- a man to respect her natural ability and to refuse to be pushed away. Sheldon realistically tracks Tom’s shock and reluctance at taking on the burden of Sarah, the shame at how he never knew her, and the pride he takes in her growth. Both characters are fully formed people, with their secrets and their histories, and a desire to share those things with someone.
Sheldon writes what he knows- having literally navigated oceans as a commercial fisherman, then figuratively as a consultant resolving tribal fishing conflicts. His personal connection with the Olympic Mountains and the Pacific Northwest makes Strong Heart a visual masterpiece. The detailed descriptions of mountain meadows, the turbulent coast, and the picturesque trails will make even the laziest couch potatoes looking up flights.
This book earns 4 out of 4 stars. Everyone reads for different reasons, and I found all my reasons in this book. The characters are authentic- no stereotypes or cliches here. It was informative- I knew little about the Native American tribes of the Pacific Northwest, and now at least I can begin to know the culture. The narrative is compelling- the book flows naturally, integrating all elements seamlessly. Dive into Strong Heart to explore an underappreciated culture, and to experience one girl’s journey through time and space to understand herself.
******
Strong Heart
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like Ebehar's review? Post a comment saying so!