Frank H. (perryfran) reviewed on 2/10/2013 + 1182 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

Another enjoyable epic from McMurtry. This is the first of 4 novels in the Berrybender Narratives. This novel takes place on or near the Missouri River in 1832 and provides an account of the aristocratic Berrybender family from England as they make a journey into the American West. Along the way, the eldest daughter falls for and marries a shy frontiersman, Jim Snow or the Sin Killer, must to the chagrin of her father. Many other perils happen to the family including capture of three of the women in the group by the Mandan Indians and a freezing buffalo hunt in the snow resulting in frost-bite to Lord Berrybender who had already shot off some of his toes and had three of his fingers cut off by an enraged Sioux. Also included in the group is Toussaint Charbonneau, the interpreter who, along with Sacagawea, guided the Lewis and Clark expedition ten years previously. Overall, I enjoyed this novel and look forward to reading the others in the series.

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