I really really liked this book. It's one of those books where you're not thinking about how good the writing is or how good the story is or how believable it is, you're just sucked in. I could understand Margo and why she was most comfortable living the way that she chose to. In many ways it's a coming of age story -- a girl growing up and getting to know herself in surroundings that are familiar to her, learning how to live her life as an independent woman. She's a sort of introvert heroine in her own right. Beautiful story. Definitely one that sticks with you, leaves you wanting a sequel.
Think about your mother abandoning you at age 15 and your father being needlessly killed, can you find a way to live? Thrown into these circumstances, Margaret Louise Crane needs to find a way to live. Her heroine is Annie Oakley whom she works to emulate until she can shoot just a well as Annie. Margo finds school a trial, needing to think awhile before even responding to questions in class, let alone life's experiences.
When her favorite uncle rapes her, she is not certain how to respond. Her angry father severs contact with the uncle's family. All escalates when Margo's emotions prompt her to shoot her uncle in a most unfortunate place. She goes on the run on the river, living wherever and how she can. This teenager fends for herself, learning through experience how to live since she has no adult mentors.
The author develops an outstanding and charismatic character that I found myself admiring. Having known teenagers who have been abandoned and living on their own, I began to understand some of the feelings and reactions to what life gives them.
When her favorite uncle rapes her, she is not certain how to respond. Her angry father severs contact with the uncle's family. All escalates when Margo's emotions prompt her to shoot her uncle in a most unfortunate place. She goes on the run on the river, living wherever and how she can. This teenager fends for herself, learning through experience how to live since she has no adult mentors.
The author develops an outstanding and charismatic character that I found myself admiring. Having known teenagers who have been abandoned and living on their own, I began to understand some of the feelings and reactions to what life gives them.
