Review by chapter-one -- Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon
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Review by chapter-one -- Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon
[Following is a volunteer review of "Strong Heart" by Charlie Sheldon.]
4 out of 4 stars
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As a keen walker I know a good walk has more to offer than just great scenery – there is so much to learn about history, nature, anthropology, science and much more, just from being relaxed and taking in the scenery.
Writer Charlie Sheldon knows this, too – Strong Heart was inspired by walks in the Olympic Mountains in western Washington State. A passion for this landscape and a deep fascination with the area and its history saturate this novel in a highly infectious way.
We join Tom Olsen as he prepares to head off on a hike into the Olympic National Park with two Native American friends, to visit his grandfather’s grave and pay his respects. On his doorstep, out of the blue, arrives his teenage granddaughter Sarah and, against Tom’s will, she ends up coming on the trek with them.
There follows a travel tale punctuated with Sheldon’s evocative descriptions of this picturesque part of the world. Surly teenager Sarah is a reluctant companion, complaining and going off in a huff at every turn. But then she starts to experience moments that take her to another reality altogether, adventures in which she is transported into a world of prehistoric tribes and gigantic bears.
Meanwhile, the group discover an ancient artefact that could save the region from exploitation at the hands of a malign tycoon – if they can rescue it before it’s too late…
Anyone who is entranced by mountains, wilderness and adventure will find lots to enjoy here. Sheldon’s clear fascination with ancient tribes and the movement of prehistoric peoples brings a richness to the exploration of the area.
The characters are well rounded and likeable. I particularly enjoyed the character of Sarah, this moody teenager whose artistic visions took her into another time and place. This kind of alternate-reality element to a story is hard to carry off convincingly, but it works well in Strong Heart.
I did note that Sarah’s recounts her solo adventures in a lyrical, highly descriptive way that seems strange coming from a character known for her short, snippy ripostes. This may be because she is channelling experiences that she herself doesn’t understand at this point in the book, and anyway it adds to the uncanny aura of this tale-within-a-tale.
The sections in which the group travel on foot are told in a more choppy style and I felt some of the more mundane details – of them packing up their tents, stopping for water – could perhaps have been edited out for a more pacy read.
Nonetheless, I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars as it is a richly described and detailed adventure story that had me hooked throughout.
******
Strong Heart
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4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
As a keen walker I know a good walk has more to offer than just great scenery – there is so much to learn about history, nature, anthropology, science and much more, just from being relaxed and taking in the scenery.
Writer Charlie Sheldon knows this, too – Strong Heart was inspired by walks in the Olympic Mountains in western Washington State. A passion for this landscape and a deep fascination with the area and its history saturate this novel in a highly infectious way.
We join Tom Olsen as he prepares to head off on a hike into the Olympic National Park with two Native American friends, to visit his grandfather’s grave and pay his respects. On his doorstep, out of the blue, arrives his teenage granddaughter Sarah and, against Tom’s will, she ends up coming on the trek with them.
There follows a travel tale punctuated with Sheldon’s evocative descriptions of this picturesque part of the world. Surly teenager Sarah is a reluctant companion, complaining and going off in a huff at every turn. But then she starts to experience moments that take her to another reality altogether, adventures in which she is transported into a world of prehistoric tribes and gigantic bears.
Meanwhile, the group discover an ancient artefact that could save the region from exploitation at the hands of a malign tycoon – if they can rescue it before it’s too late…
Anyone who is entranced by mountains, wilderness and adventure will find lots to enjoy here. Sheldon’s clear fascination with ancient tribes and the movement of prehistoric peoples brings a richness to the exploration of the area.
The characters are well rounded and likeable. I particularly enjoyed the character of Sarah, this moody teenager whose artistic visions took her into another time and place. This kind of alternate-reality element to a story is hard to carry off convincingly, but it works well in Strong Heart.
I did note that Sarah’s recounts her solo adventures in a lyrical, highly descriptive way that seems strange coming from a character known for her short, snippy ripostes. This may be because she is channelling experiences that she herself doesn’t understand at this point in the book, and anyway it adds to the uncanny aura of this tale-within-a-tale.
The sections in which the group travel on foot are told in a more choppy style and I felt some of the more mundane details – of them packing up their tents, stopping for water – could perhaps have been edited out for a more pacy read.
Nonetheless, I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars as it is a richly described and detailed adventure story that had me hooked throughout.
******
Strong Heart
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like chapter-one's review? Post a comment saying so!
Latest Review: Band in the Wind by William John Rostron
