Review of The Indian and Me
Posted: 15 Aug 2021, 15:24
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Indian and Me" by Cathy peebles.]
If you were wondering how to hitch a ride to one of the most turbulent periods in the history of the New World, this is the book that will do it. The Indian and Me by Cathy Peebles is an emotional rollercoaster, set in the early years of the American Revolutionary War, a crucial point in yet another shift of global superpowers and the beginning of a new chapter in human history.
The Thirteen British Colonies, already a melting pot in 1755 when the action starts, make for a tense place to live, leaving no space for ambiguities. Kitchi is born in the Seneca Indian Territory, New York, to a passing skilled French fur trader and a Huron slave girl captured by the Seneca. The village elders Yuma and Keme decide to raise him as their own after the death of his mother. The British give guns and horses to the Seneca in return for help with fighting against the settlers. The Seneca people agree because the mutinous settlers are perpetually driving them off their lands. Lord Townsend takes the then 19-year-old Kitchi hostage to make sure the Seneca keep their side of the bargain. He goes into the white men's world to learn the intruders' ways and language and spy for his village. In New York, he meets Julia Rainsford, a young British noble newly arrived in the colonies, married to the devious Lord Townsend, who abuses and maltreats her. Both of Kitchi's and Julia's worlds turn upside down, and their journey to maturity kicks off.
During the early years of the American Revolutionary War, around 1777, we witness the battles between the British and the settlers, the shattering of the Iroquois Confederacy or Haudenosaunee, each tribe selecting the side that makes them a more profitable promise. In Kitchi, we see the struggle of someone tormented by his identity with one foot into both worlds. In the Rainsford sisters, we observe the conflict between what seems right and what society expects.
I loved how this book touches upon many sensitive subjects: the clash between the West and the Indigenous Peoples in North America, the collision of values between the settlers and their British masters, the question of identity, loyalty, religion in a polarized world where anything in between raises suspicion and could easily mean the end of one's life. Interestingly, it depicts the birth of the perceived American identity and values from the present standpoint. Simultaneously, it portrays the moral values of the Seneca in equal measure, which seem like opposites to the former in many ways. While the book mainly follows Kitchi and Julia, Cathy Peebles interleaves their story with numerous other plots, developing multiple strong characters along the way, each of which fights their demons. The writing grabs the reader's attention. The author has done thorough research on the epoch, down to the details - historical events, geography, clothes, and way of life.
On the other hand, I found the writing somewhat crude and fast-paced in places. The chapters vary from super short to super long. The overall structure lacks consistency. Given the many qualities of the novel, this did not spoil it for me. The Indian and Me contains some brutal scenes and some quite explicit sexual content. My only real objection is that these contents seemed misaligned with the general tone and a bit forced, even after accounting for the volatile setting of the story. My impression was that the author tried too hard to shock the audience.
I rate The Indian and Me 3 out of 4 stars. Given that I found the writing lacking in certain aspects, I have to deduct one star. However, I would still highly recommend this book to historical fiction fans. Because of the sexual content and violence, I would limit my recommendation to adults only.
******
The Indian and Me
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
If you were wondering how to hitch a ride to one of the most turbulent periods in the history of the New World, this is the book that will do it. The Indian and Me by Cathy Peebles is an emotional rollercoaster, set in the early years of the American Revolutionary War, a crucial point in yet another shift of global superpowers and the beginning of a new chapter in human history.
The Thirteen British Colonies, already a melting pot in 1755 when the action starts, make for a tense place to live, leaving no space for ambiguities. Kitchi is born in the Seneca Indian Territory, New York, to a passing skilled French fur trader and a Huron slave girl captured by the Seneca. The village elders Yuma and Keme decide to raise him as their own after the death of his mother. The British give guns and horses to the Seneca in return for help with fighting against the settlers. The Seneca people agree because the mutinous settlers are perpetually driving them off their lands. Lord Townsend takes the then 19-year-old Kitchi hostage to make sure the Seneca keep their side of the bargain. He goes into the white men's world to learn the intruders' ways and language and spy for his village. In New York, he meets Julia Rainsford, a young British noble newly arrived in the colonies, married to the devious Lord Townsend, who abuses and maltreats her. Both of Kitchi's and Julia's worlds turn upside down, and their journey to maturity kicks off.
During the early years of the American Revolutionary War, around 1777, we witness the battles between the British and the settlers, the shattering of the Iroquois Confederacy or Haudenosaunee, each tribe selecting the side that makes them a more profitable promise. In Kitchi, we see the struggle of someone tormented by his identity with one foot into both worlds. In the Rainsford sisters, we observe the conflict between what seems right and what society expects.
I loved how this book touches upon many sensitive subjects: the clash between the West and the Indigenous Peoples in North America, the collision of values between the settlers and their British masters, the question of identity, loyalty, religion in a polarized world where anything in between raises suspicion and could easily mean the end of one's life. Interestingly, it depicts the birth of the perceived American identity and values from the present standpoint. Simultaneously, it portrays the moral values of the Seneca in equal measure, which seem like opposites to the former in many ways. While the book mainly follows Kitchi and Julia, Cathy Peebles interleaves their story with numerous other plots, developing multiple strong characters along the way, each of which fights their demons. The writing grabs the reader's attention. The author has done thorough research on the epoch, down to the details - historical events, geography, clothes, and way of life.
On the other hand, I found the writing somewhat crude and fast-paced in places. The chapters vary from super short to super long. The overall structure lacks consistency. Given the many qualities of the novel, this did not spoil it for me. The Indian and Me contains some brutal scenes and some quite explicit sexual content. My only real objection is that these contents seemed misaligned with the general tone and a bit forced, even after accounting for the volatile setting of the story. My impression was that the author tried too hard to shock the audience.
I rate The Indian and Me 3 out of 4 stars. Given that I found the writing lacking in certain aspects, I have to deduct one star. However, I would still highly recommend this book to historical fiction fans. Because of the sexual content and violence, I would limit my recommendation to adults only.
******
The Indian and Me
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
