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Book Review of Thirteen Moons

Thirteen Moons
Thirteen Moons
Author: Charles Frazier
Genre: Literature & Fiction
Book Type: Paperback
mollyk avatar reviewed on + 3 more book reviews


This is a story of the life of Will Cooper, as told by himself, at the time period of the forced relocations of the Native Americans in the US.

My favorite thing about this book is Frazier's prose, very poetic, always thought provoking, yet easy to read.

I appreciate books that are real and convincing, not cliche and fake, and Frazier is definitely a writer of the first kind. I can't put into words how convincing he was, for example when writing the main character's thoughts on aging. He made me understand what the weariness of growing old really feels like, and I wonder how someone who wasn't yet sixty could have written so realistic a view on this issue. This is just one of the many descriptions in this book that made me wonder how he created such realistic feelings when he could not have experienced it himself. Another is his telling of what it was like in the Indians' townhouses during their parties.

I really enjoyed the book but have to admit the middle part was difficult to read at times, just because of the gruesome mistreatment of the Indians and the matter-of-fact descriptions in some death scenes.

This story revealed a seemingly legendary man to be a faulty human, completely honest in his reflections. And he is forever in love with a girl/woman who is frustratingly aloof about their relationship.

I would read it again just to listen to the poetry of the story. Beautiful writing.