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FindingJane
Nov 17, 2016FindingJane rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
This fictional novel of early American tribal cultures follows the travels of a beleaguered young woman believed to be cursed because of her unusual eye coloring. Even though she comes from a matriarchal society, that doesn’t protect her against wicked or weak men who seek to destroy her. Kwani displays a powerful spirit and I liked her from the start. She’s a woman who refuses to be cowed or to bend simply because of poor circumstances. She’s constantly trying to figure out how to deal with the people around her. The book places her again and again at the whims of hurtful, manipulative or domineering men but she manages to rise above her circumstances with grace, wit and the ability to adapt to her circumstances. It’s true she sometimes comes off as a damsel in distress but she that’s because expects men to protect women rather than use them (it’s the way of her people) and is furious when they do not. This book delves into the aspects of the various societies of the people that she meets—friends, enemies and potential allies—and the world of the spirits. The notion of gods is ever present in her world and almost everyone is mindful of showing respect to them; there are harsh punishments for those who defy or ignore the deities. Visions, dreams and spells are real to these people and the author makes this vanished world come alive as she explores the importance they exerted in everyday life. This is a rousing novel, part supernatural fantasy, part archaeological history, and vivid as a cave painting whose colors have not faded after thousands of years.