Editorial Review

Nineteenth-century American pioneer life was introduced to thousands of young readers by Laura Ingalls Wilder's beloved Read more

Reviews (46)

1847 from the Perspective of an Ojibwa Child
The Birchbark House (originally published in 1999) is the story of a year in the life of a seven-year-old girl and her Ojibwa family, living on an island in Lake Superior in 1847. The book was written by Louise Erdrich, herself a member of the Turtle Band of Ojibwa (former name: Anishinabe). The Birchbark House takes place during the same time frame as Little House on the Prairie, and the two books share certain similarities. However, The Birchbark House illustrates that time frame from the perspective of the Native Americans, who fear being pushed ever Westward by white people. It includes many Ojibwa words and customs, and Ms. Erdrich does a wonderful job of conveying the sense of harmony that the Ojibwa share with their surroundings.
2 Thumbs up
Interesting piece of literature to do a multicultural lesson if you are a teacher.
A Very Good Read!
The Birchbarck House was a fun quick read.I needed it for a Native American class and the book was a wonderful and factual sorce for information on North East Native Americans!I would say that this is a good read for anyone who wants an interesting read along with the historical backround! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Historical    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Fiction    5. Historical - General    6. Indians of North America    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Ojibwa Indians    9. People & Places - United States - Native American    10. Social Issues - Values    11. Superior, Lake, Region    12. Juvenile Fiction / Ethnic / Native American   

Reviews (17)

Twentyyearsof reading her writings
Louise Erdrich has the ability to capture simple truths that make life significant. She can also make the most unbeleivable scenes (such as the Mother throwing her baby to the wolves) seem totally sane.I think LOVE MEDICINE is a book that will be a classic always. This may not be that good but read it and see.

Very enthralling and captivating!
This is the first fiction book I have read in years and am so glad I stumbled upon it!I would highly recommend it to anyone that wants to escape into a journey that will not soon be forgotten.Like a dream remembered upon waking, it stays with you.Kudos to the authoress.

Fantastic, deep and haunting Erdrich novel
Erdrich really gets into a surreal feel with her writing in this book in a way that engages the reader from the start.There are so many layers to the levels the reader can learn from, and this truly is a teaching story on multiple levels.I finished reading with a haunted and disturbed feeling, and over time, it evolved into a template for how to understand impact of decisions, choices, passions and the past.There is an amazing amount of wisdom in this book.In contrast to other Erdrich novels where there is a depth of sorrow contrasted with at times, near explosive humor, this novel has less of the wry humorous stories, but it more than makes up for it in her ability to utilize poetic and descriptive language in such a way that she ought to receive many, many awards.I haven't felt this way reading a novel since Hemingway.Truly beautiful. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Erdrich, Louise - Prose & Criticism    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - General    4. General    5. Literary    6. Fiction / General   

Reviews (67)

Her first novel? You've got to be kidding me!
It just does not seem fair that someone could claim this work as her first novel. It is so intricately woven, and the multiple narratives are so expertly spoken, that I find it very difficult to believe it came from a novice.
A Work of Excellence
Erdrich's book has everything a great novel should have - sex & love, tradegy and heartbreak, beauty and poise. Truly of one of the most beautiful novels I've ever read.

No impressed
Love Medicine was a required reading in my upper division English course in college. I was not impressed at all. The writing style is very good but the story and characters are complete pathetic and miserable. If one doesn't know anything about Native Americans, he would think that they are nothing but alcoholics and losers who didn't have enough gutts to make anything out of their lives despites the hardships that the government bestowed on them. There is not one likable character in the book. Everyone is either an alcoholic, a run away, phsycologically challenged or has children from multiple partners. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Erdrich, Louise - Prose & Criticism    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - General    4. General    5. Literary    6. Fiction / General   

Reviews (27)

It Changed the Course of my Life
I read this book in a Native American Literature course about 12 years ago. My father is full blooded Native American and my teacher was white and I thought he couldn't teach me anything. I had a chip on my shoulder and my teacher knocked it off of me with this book. He told me he wanted ME to teach this book to the class so I had to read this book like I had never read any book before. Perhaps my unique connection to the book made me enjoy the book more than these other reviewers, but I think that it would still be one of my favorite books even if had not read it for class. I teach high school English and have read A LOT of books - all kinds of books, not just classics. Even if you read this and find that you can't fully understand it, that's OKAY. Part of the problem with my students is they are always looking for the AUTHOR"S interpretation or the TEACHER'S interpretation - just enjoy your own interpretation. The book is not that hard to understand, but the imagery and symbolism is deep. This is an important book, as pretty soon there will be no Native Americans left to tell our stories. Less than 1% of this nation is Native American and it's important to read these stories. The mixing of Christianity with Native traditions is particularly significant in this story. In fact, I based my Master's thesis on the themes in this work. I met Louise Erdrich a couple of years ago at a book signing and I wanted to tell her this book changed my life, but how cheesy would that be?

Not my fav....
I was forced to read this book for my sophomore english class. Let's just say, it's not my favorite book. It started off hard to follow, and then as it progressed, it became more and more difficult to comprehend. There is a lot of old people sex and sexual inuendos. The plot is slow and to be honest, i am really not interested in reading any more books about indians. I'm not racist, just sick of all the indian books! I do think that the book was written well and it was interesting how Erdrich switched narrators. Overall I wouldn't have picked to read this book on my own, but if you like nature stories about the troubles that Indians had to go through, then go ahead read this book.

Vastly Overrated
I was required to read this book for a literature class at my university. This was quiet possibly the most wretched book I have ever had the misfortune to lay my hands on, since I am an avid reader it took alot to earn that position with me. The story line moves horribly slow. The narration flips back and forth with each chapter between a wise old man, and an illogical, mentaly ill future nun who engages in strange practices of self torture. The parts narrarated by the nun do not make sense, do not enrich the plot and break the flow of the book since it is mostly nonsense taking place in her head. To much nonsense and unneccesary sex. Don't waste your time on this book, your time would be better spent watching grass grow. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Erdrich, Louise - Prose & Criticism    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - General    4. Literary    5. Ojibwa Indians    6. Fiction / General    7. Reading Group Guide   

Editorial Review

Over the course of 13 years and five novels, Louise Erdrich has staked out a richly imagined corner of North Dakota soil--her own Yoknapatawpha, where every character is connected to every other and nothing can be said to happen for the first time. Read more

Reviews (41)

good but...
I found this book to be good but also slightly flawed.
Simply Wonderful!
This is one great novel. Louise Erdrich weaves stories together to form a unified tale, completely original and plausible.I have never read anything quite like this and was intrigued and interested throughout the entire book.I can't imagine anyone not being spellbound by such a tale.

SHOULD BE 10 STARS!!!!!
What an incredible book!!Plot was so unusual - so intriquing - so engrossing - I couldn't put it down!I look forward to reading more by this author - but I wonder if anything can top this story.Read it for the ultimate reader's high! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Erdrich, Louise - Prose & Criticism    2. Ethnic Studies - Native American Studies    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - General    5. General    6. Literary    7. Fiction / General   

Editorial Review

Louise Erdrich's

Reviews (69)

The Master Butchers Singing Club
I never would have selected this book to read if my book club had not selected it for our July book. I am so glad they did! It was a wonderful read and I graciously recommend it.

Wonderful book
I cannot believe the person who said her book group didn't like the book.Everyone in my book group absolutely loved it, and so did I.I think it is one of the best books I've read in years.I put off reading it for a long time, because the subject matter and setting seemed a turn-off, but once I started, I found it a real page-turner.The characters were wonderful and involving---I cared about all of them, with all their flaws and eccentricities.The totally depressing location became a vital character in itself.Absolutely gorgeous writing...everyone in my book group agreed we kept stopping to read a particular sentence or paragraph just for the beauty of the writing.

Not up to Erdrich's standards
Just came back from a Book Group discussion.We found the book very disappointing. Erdrich's language is poetic with lyrical descriptions of sights and smells.However, there were too many loose ends in the plot that are never satisfactorily tied up. Characters weren't always clearly drawn.Particularly disappointing for the Erdrich fans among us.
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Subjects:  1. Erdrich, Louise - Prose & Criticism    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - Historical    4. Historical - General    5. Literary    6. Fiction / General   

Reviews (6)

Newbery?This one merits your attention.
This is the sequel to The Birchbark House.Like its predecessor, it transpires in the Ojibwe tribe's mid 19th century home on one of the Great Lakes and on the family of Omakayas, the middle child of three `siblings'.(Siblings is like that because of what happened in Birchbark House.)Also like Birchbark House, this one is a charming blend of historical fiction and clear, lovingly drawn, appealing characters.A young reader will benefit greatly from seeing the westward movement of white people through Native American eyes, and do that within the context of a most enjoyable story with endearing characters and emotionally accessible events, plus they'll get a smattering of Ojibwe language and its culture.Well worth giving to your middle school reader.

The rest is silence
No one becomes a children's librarian in the hopes of someday striking it rich.We all do it for our separate, twisted, obscure little reasons that probably have their roots somewhere in our youth.I did it partly because I realized that I wasn't cut out to be an archival librarian (the moment of inspiration came when my husband pointed out that I'd set my coffee cup down on my conservation textbook) and partly for two little words:readers advisory.I love recommending good books to good readers.I love recommending good books to bad readers.I love recommending good books period.And if I were to calculate the most frequently cited question I get on the children's room floor it might be, "My child loves the Laura Ingalls Wilder books.What else can you recommend?".Now until now my instinct was to grab "The Birchbark House" by Louise Erdrich and thrust it into the waiting patron's arms.Now, unfortunately, I have a choice to make."The Birchbark House" is good, yes.But its sequel, "The Game of Silence" is even better.How can I go about not recommending the sequel before its predecessor?I can't.Just the same, "The Game of Silence" does not absolutely require that "The Birchbark House" be read in order to understand the following story.It stands on its own beautifully and it shouldn't be any wonder to anyone that it garnered itself the 2006 Scott O'Dell Award for historical fiction.It undoubtedly deserved it.
A REMINDER OF THE BEAUTY AND BOUNTY OF NATURE

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Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Family - Multigenerational    5. Fiction    6. Historical - United States - 19th Century    7. Indians of North America    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Juvenile Historical Fiction    10. Ojibwa Indians    11. People & Places - United States - Native American    12. Superior, Lake, Region    13. Juvenile Fiction / Ethnic / Native American   

Reviews (18)

Loved it!
I think I found this book by Louise Erdrich possibly the most consistently interesting book in the series, all of which I enjoyed. There's never a dull passage, and honestly the characters are easier to understand, if not always relate to, than a memorable but so "strange" (for lack of a better word) character than Fleur Pillager.I didn't like Jack Mauser one bit, though, but maybe I wasn't supposed to like him. And I'm glad I didn't read the Publisher's Weekly review before reading this, either, considering all the spoilers.

Tales of Soft Core
Interesting approach ending the book with an act of intercourse. I didn't see the delight in this novel: the mention of tribality was sporatic and irrelevant, who really believed Jack was part of the reservation? Creative approaches to how many versions of "love" Erdrich could invent. The only thing that won these three stars was the surprise ties to The Bingo Palace and Last Report whereso I kept running around trying to find the old passages and make the final connections. Ans also, Erdrich's hold on religion is simply beautiful, ans who knew Pauline, er, LEopolda would find her way into ANOTHER book.
Another good book to read
Excellent book, jumps around a bit, but really wonderful. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - General    3. General    4. Fiction / General   

Reviews (7)

The changing world of American Indians and a good story
Through the years I've read several books by Louise Erdrich.She's a good writer although sometimes I find her narrative to be a bit confusing.This is the case in her 2004 "Four Souls" in which she uses a character she's used in books before, an American Indian woman named Fleur Pillager.
Yet another stellar novel from Louise Erdrich
I've read most of the author's works and while I would not say this is my favorite, I have to say that she has matured so much as an author over the years that this is a must read book.I particularly like how she shares imagery and concepts in this book without feeling the need to explain them to the non-Anishinaabe audience, and potentially interrupting the poetry of the work itself. - It was amazing how she brought back to mind things I knew and had forgotten, simply through the force of her writing.The greatest impact for me was the effect the book had even 4 days later - the themes of this book are both universal and incredible.Thank you for such an outstanding book!

A Star Made From Love
From Fleur's amazing journey into and out of the whiteman's world, to the creation of a dress solely from nature's materials contrasted with the building of a house with materials obtained through greed, destruction and death, to the quest to find a name for a son's spirit: this book is radiant.
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Subjects:  1. Crimes against    2. Erdrich, Louise - Prose & Criticism    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - General    5. General    6. Identity (Psychology)    7. Indian women    8. Literary    9. Minneapolis (Minn.)    10. Ojibwa Indians    11. Fiction / General   

Editorial Review

Mothers often cling to single moments, small gestures, and specificmemories in order to grasp all that happens in the first blurry year of ababy's life. InRead more

Reviews (8)

Excellent
A beauftifully written book about birth, motherhood, and nature. I read this book when I was 9 months pregnant, in preperation of my own upcomng birth year and I was not diasappointed. It is lyrical, profound, and prolific. You will especially enjoy this book if you are at all in awe of nature. The way she weaves it into the life cycle and observes and commments on the surroundings of her rural New Hampshire home painted a beautiful backdrop for her experiences of birthing and rearing an infant through the four seasons. I highly recommend this book to anyone, regardless of family circumstances. It can be enjoyed by all as simply an incredibly well written, woman focused book.

great, honest book
Fine book, can be read again and again.Would be a great book to give an expecting mother or new mother.

insightful, spiritual (non-denominational) and helpful
It seems that a week doesn't go by when I see a woman on the subway or ina coffee shop reading a book from the What to Expect When You're Expectingseries.Those detailed tombs of writing seem to be sent to people planningor in the process of rearing children as if by storks.(I've even heard ofsome workplaces keeping the book What to Expect... in the human resourcessupply closet, to be given as a gift when a woman announces she'spregnant.)However, upon reading some chapters from those books andinformal discussions with mothers, a theme that reoccurs is that some womenwill explicitly instruct others not to read those books.Why?Not becausethey don't contain a plethora of knowledge but precisely because they do. That is, these can wind up really scaring a parent-to-be because theycontain all the zillions of possible physical and emotional things that cango wrong during pregnancy and the first years.I think everyone can agreethat raising the anxiety level, especially of a woman during pregnancy, isquite a less than desirable outcome.Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Essays    5. Family relationships    6. General    7. Motherhood    8. Mothers and daughters    9. United States    10. Women novelists, American    11. Literary Collections / Essays    12. Marriage, family & other relationships    13. Pregnancy, birth & baby care   

Reviews (21)

Simply an amazing book
This book is amazing and a truly beautiful work about the human spirit. The characters are numerous and complex, and the way the book skips around in terms of characters and time keeps you on your toes and keeps the story interesting -- you never know what to expect.
Determinedly bleak
I started this novel after reading Erdrich's Love Medicine. While it is clearly not as lyrically written, it is more accessible, and I admired Erdrich's inventiveness as she creates a very unique set of characters. I never finished "Beet Queen", quitting not that far from the end. When Celestine's child turned out to be so impossible, it was the last straw. "Beet Queen" is just too determinedly bleak, to no higher purpose I could discern or discover in reading reviews here.
Off The Beaten Path
From the mesmerizing first chapter I was hooked.This is an adventure that makes you want to turn the pages quickly.I've noted that others have characterized this book as "bland," yet, isn't that the point?To truly feel the emotional palate of the characters, there can't be a big surprise at every corner.If you finish this book feeling confused, depressed, and a little hungry for her next book, then this author has done her job.If you like "cookie cutter" stories, then this book isn't for you. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Domestic fiction    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - General    4. General    5. North Dakota    6. Orphans    7. Fiction / General    8. Reading Group Guide   

Reviews (5)

Very enjoyable but read the other books first
I just love Louise Erdrich's books. I didn't read her fiction until after I read her book "Books and Islands in Ojibwe Country", which is nonfiction. Anyway, I really enjoyed this book, and while it is somewhat impossible to describe the complete plot (and saying "Lipsha is in love with Shawnee" doesn't do it justice), Lipsha is developed into a sympathetic figure, and Lyman is also rounded out more. It's amazing how LE can spin an interesting narrative out of (mostly) ordinary events.I would love to read more about Lipsha and the other, younger members of the families. They seem so real now, after reading the other books such as "Tracks", "Love Medicine", etc.

Richly told, but too mythic
Erdrich's latest novel of modern native American life centers on a bright, but aimless young man.Lipsha Morrisey is adrift, one foot in America, one on the North Dakota reservation. Son of a crazy woman and a convict, the tribe has given up on the young man who once showed promise - a product of families recalled from Erdrich's previous books "(Love Medicine," "The Beet Queen," "Tracks").
Not at the same level
I fell in love with Louise Erdrich after reading her short story "Fleur". There was something gritty and seductive about her characters.Read more

Subjects:  1. Ethnic Studies - Native American Studies    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - General    4. Literary    5. Fiction / General    6. Modern fiction    7. Reading Group Guide   

Reviews (2)

not as good as Grandmother's Pigeon
The Range Eternal is Louise Erdrich's second children's book (the first being Grandmother's Pigeon).The story Erdrich tells is one of family and tradition (and an old stove).The story is told simply and well, and it is peppered with Native American legend and tradition.For this reason, I wonder if the book would not be better suited to Native children more than non-Native children.I have read Erdrich's novels, so I have a passing familiarity with terms like "Windigo", but I'm not sure most non-Native children would and this might confuse them. Gorgeous book!
The illustrations in this book are gorgeous!The pictures flow and fill out the story.Children will be drawn into every page.The book is a wonderful tale of family life, responsibilities and the value of tradition.I put it on my list to buy for my niece and nephew. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    2. Children: Kindergarten    3. Family - General    4. Family life    5. Fiction    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Lifestyles - Country Life    8. Nature & the Natural World - Seasons    9. North Dakota    10. Stoves    11. Stoves, Wood    12. Juvenile Fiction / Family / General   

Editorial Review

The mystical and the natural blend superbly in this first children's book by the accomplished literary novelist Louise Erdrich. The eccentric, well-traveled grandmother of two young kids decamps in mid-vacation, riding a porpoise to Greenland and leaving behind a trove of strange treasures and artifacts including a collection of bird's nests and three old eggs which hatch, marvelously, into passenger pigeons. Erdrich wields her Native American ancestry and her worldiness--Grandmother owns an original Klee--to give young readers a sense of the world's wonders and the wisdom of the elders, the old wisdom of the natural cycles that we are losing. A letter from Grandmother, promising to return, winds up this fetching tale. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

a wonderful little book
Louise Erdrich is the author of the award winning novels Love Medicine and The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse , amongst others. She is an incredibly gifted novelist. Grandmother's Pigeon is her first book for children. A Bookful of Wonder
The illustrations in this book are wonderful and are a perfect compliment to this strange,comforting story of a loving family and the legacy of their magical grandmother. There are some subtle nuances that parents will pick up if they pay attention. This is a tale about ecology and love for free and wild creatures, with a bit of shamanism thrown in for good measure. There is humour here and wisdom. I love this book for the satisfying feeling of gentle wonder that I feel as I turn the last page and close the book. I recommend it to all with childish hearts.

wonderful illustrations, and unusual story.
helps to show children that people in their family can be different, but you still love them. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Extinct animals    4. Fiction    5. Grandmothers    6. Passenger pigeons    7. Pigeons    8. Science & Technology    9. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Reviews (10)

Best book I have read in 10 years
I loved the Crown of Columbus.Everything from the richness of the language and characterization to the intricate plot development.A quintessential love story, Vivien Twostar leaps off the pages: one can identify with her struggles - both as an individual and also in a relationship.While the feckless Roger Williams adrift in his sea of academic and masculine arrogance is a wonderful counterfoil. Beautifully written prose has depth yet is concise and conveys rich imagery and conflict.Oh if only all books were this good!

Too slow for an adventure novel
Crown of Columbus had some funny, exciting moments, but not enough of them in this 500 page novel. The main characters are both academicians, so I can allow for some introspective monologues and analyses. But action does speak louder than words - especially in a mystery/adventure novel. The second half of the book picks up the pace and that's where you'll find most of the adventure and humor. The ending is a bit surprising and, for me at least, a bit confusing.

Disappointing
I read this book on the strength of my experience with "A Yellow Raft in Blue Water" by Michael Dorris. There is no comparison between the two books.Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - General    3. General    4. Fiction / General   

Editorial Review

Louise Erdrich puts the reader in the passenger’s seat on a journey that is equal parts memoir, history, and mythology in Read more

Reviews (5)

An interesting journey
This was the first book by Louise Erdrich that I read, and I really loved it. It's a literary tour around Ojibwe country, some of which she takes with her baby's father, a spiritual leader, and of course, her baby, who the animals seem intrigued by. It's an unusual, hard to describe book - not quite a mere travelogue, but also a glimpse into the Ojibwe life, a survey of the land, a little about her family, and the efforts of a man to bring more books to the reservation. This effort continues today, and in LE's view is a vital endeavor. I totally agree.

Books and Islands in Ojibwe Country
Books and Islands in Ojibwe Country documents Erdrich's journey to the Lake of the Woods region on the Ontario/Minnesota border, the traditional home of some of her ancestors.For the most part, I found the book enlightening, and although at first somewhat flustered by the author's style, soon was drawn into her story.The author seemed to me to be quite sincere about her intents and although only part Ojibwe on her mother's side, I felt that she had much appreciation for this heriatge.I feel, therefore, that D. Sander's review is quite harsh and seemingly motivated by other unspecified factors, and is not an accurate assessment of what the reader will derive from this book.

Out of her depth
First, the disclaimer: I am a great admirer of Louise Erdrich's fiction work and consider her one of America's greatest living storytellers. "Books and Islands in Ojibwe Country," however, left me early and never came back.Her tone throughout this self-congratulatory road trip memoir is stingy and smug while her observations are, at best, shallow to the edge of banality; despite her torrent of words and phrases, one almost never sees what she's seeing or trusts that we're truly feeling what she's feeling, the test of great landscape writing and a surprise, given it is one of her fictional gifts. At her worst, Ms. Erdrich's words convey an emotional immaturity and lack of generosity that betray her age and experience, not to mention her Anishinabeg roots (although it's a separate conversation best held among Indian people, it's worth noting here that this Ojibwa found some of her subjects, particularly those involving the sacred, uncomfortably close to a line of exploitation we should never cross). This book, which impressed me as little more than an exercise in boastful foolishness and a sad and futile attempt, perhaps, at some sort of self-healing by suggestion, was a great disappointment that verges sadly close to disaster. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Biography    3. Erdrich, Louise    4. Essays & Travelogues    5. Ethnic Issues    6. Ethnic Studies - Native American Studies    7. General    8. Lake of the Woods    9. Novelists, American    10. Ojibwa Indians    11. Social Science    12. Sociology    13. American English    14. Cultural studies    15. Indigenous peoples    16. Modern fiction    17. Travel / Essays & Travelogues    18. Travel writing    19. USA   

Reviews (6)

A Far Cry From Last Of The Mohicans
The Falcon is a story of Native American life in the late 18th and early 19th century, as experienced by a white man, John Tanner.Tanner was captured by the Shawnee at an early age and eventually adopted into the Ojibwa Nation of Western Ontario, Eastern Manitoba and Northern Michigan.After years of life with the Ojibway, he attempted unsuccessfully to return to his white relatives in Kentucky.Forget Natty Bumppo of Last of the Mohicans, John Dunbar of Dances With Wolves, Jack Crabb of Little Big Man, or A Man Called Horse; This is the real thing.This is a bleak grim tale of survival totally devoid of any romanticism or objectivity.
The Best and Most Complete Indian Captivity Narrative
"The Falcon" is the autobiography of Shaw-Shaw-Wa Be-Na-Se or John Tanner, a White Indian captured by the Shawnee along the Ohio River in 1789 and later sold to an Ojibwa family in northern Michigan.He went on to live a long and fascinating life among the Indians of the Old Northwest working as a trapper for the Hudson Bay Company and serving as the interpreter at the trading post at Sault St. Marie.He spent some time searching out his white family in Kentucky before returning to Michigan to be with his Indian children, forever spurning the white way of life.He went on to write this narrative in 1830 shortly before becoming a murder suspect and disappearing into the north woods forever.