The Red Heart by JAMES ALEXANDER Thom Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Red Heart
Book Review: Amazing historical fiction
Summary: 5 Stars
This is serious historical fiction. Long and descriptive and SO worth the effort to read. I am in awe of James Alexander Thom's dedication to authenticity and his exquisitely detailed storytelling. Last year when I read Panther in the Sky, I figured none of his other books could be as good. I was wrong, lucky me.
The Red Heart details the life of Frances Slocum from age five until her death at age 74 in 1847. Frances was a Quaker girl in the Susquehanna Valley of Pennsylvania. She was stolen by Delaware (Lenapeh) Indians when she was five years old. To us it sounds barbaric, but many Indians felt justified in taking white children as replacements for their own children who were killed by white soldiers.
Frances quickly adapted and was assimilated into the Lenapeh life, and later, through marriage, the Miamis. She had numerous opportunities to come forth and be taken back among the white people. Instead, she carefully covered her bright red hair and avoided contact with those who might suspect who she was. Her skin was white but her heart was red, and she chose to stay with her adopted people.
The Slocums, her birth family, never stopped looking for her no matter how many years went by. Their efforts are an amazing part of the story as well. Her brothers went on numerous lengthy treks searching for her, and followed up every lead and rumor. It took real courage to travel unarmed among hostile Indians, as dictated by their Quaker beliefs. It's easy to get caught up in Frances' new life among the Indians, but the author always takes you back and reminds you that she had a wonderful family who loved her and suffered from their loss.
I just can't say enough good things about Thom and the way he brings these stories to life while remaining true to historical records. He provides detailed Author's Notes at the end of his books, where he gives his sources and clearly explains how much is fact and how much he had to fill in with his own store of knowledge and imagination.
Book Review: An Incredible and Inspiring Acounting of her life
Summary: 5 Stars
I just finished this book and miss it already. The author, again, not only told you the story of survival of an incredible person, but also a story based on fact. This book tells what it's like to be a real woman, a woman of strength and dignity. This book tells what it really must have been like to be a (Native) American back in those horrid times. I'm ready to plant my garden and I want to plant in the natural, efficient, grateful way the natives did, and this book speaks of, and compare it to the "wapsi" ways I have been taught all my life. To me, had the natives had a better understanding of Christ,( perhaps by better examples), they would have lived as close to Eden as any culture has ever achieved. Too bad greed and alcohol and fear devestated that Eden so thoroughly. Thank you, James Alexander Thom, for reminding us and refreshing our view of who we are, and how we got here by your historic novels and accountings. Readers, try "Follow The River" and "Panther in the Sky", too, other books by Thom that will enrich you with sociology, history and geography, and a few gardenning pointers, too!Book Review: Entertaining
Summary: 5 Stars
The life of Frances Slocum is forever changed after her family is attacked by Delaware Indians and she is kidnapped. At first, Frances life is very different, but soon she adapts to living with her Foster mother Neepa. When tragedy strikes, she is sent to live with her foster grandparents near Niagara falls. Will Frances (now called Good Face) adapt to her life amongst the Lenapeh or will she escape to return to her Quaker family.
I loved this books, especially the first 3/4. The life of Frances and her friends Minnow, Neepa, and her grandparents were fascinating and at times quite tragic. I felt sorry for the Delaware whose lives were forever altered by the arrival of the white man. I also found myself sad for Frances Quaker family who perpetually searched for their missing sibling.
Criticisms: I did at time feel the story was a bit rushed. Between chapters the character ages quite a bit which was disconcerting, especially towards the end. I also would recommend not reading the prologue(it contained spoilers) at least until you've read the rest of the book.
5 stars.
Book Review: Excellent work
Summary: 4 Stars
I could not put this book down once I started reading.
I am a big fan of James Alexander Thom, I have read several of his books and have more to read.
The story of the Red Heart is captivating. From the time of the kidnapping of little Frances Slocum to her transition into
Mackinakwa "little bear women" she goes from completely terrified to loving her Indian people to the end.
Very interesting book.
The only thing I have to say of this author is that he is very explicit in his writings.
I caution you, may not be suitable for the young folk. I believe that he goes into way to much detail on very personal matters.
I know in this book that Frances goes from girl to women, but we all know what happens......I don't think we need to hear it in such
GRAPHIC details. For me, that was the only draw back, I just had to skip over some parts.
James Thom is such a wonderful author, his books can stand on their own without all the sexual explicitness. If I wanted to read a book like that I would pick up a harlequin novel.
Outside that, in my eyes, this book would have been the perfect early american history novel.
Book Review: Fabulous Historical Novel
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is wonderful from start to finish. I read Follow The River 20 years ago and this book was just as satifying. It was enlightening to be inside the mind of a white girl raised as a Native American during the turn of the 19th century, and to begin to understand the tragic outcome of the federal government's policies during that period.