pavlinas's review against another edition
1.0
Actually, I don't remember why I put this book on my TR list. It was some time ago, but there must have been a reason...
I gave it up when I realized that although 78% through the book, I was still not interested and found myself browsing social media for nearly two hours trying to avoid opening the book again.
I gave it up when I realized that although 78% through the book, I was still not interested and found myself browsing social media for nearly two hours trying to avoid opening the book again.
line_so_fine's review against another edition
3.0
How can I resist a book that uses the setting of a library research carrel as a dramatic venue?
mkat303's review against another edition
3.0
Confession: I skimmed some of it. At times it was rather unbelievable and annoying, but I liked it overall. Definitely not the best work by Dorris or Erdrich, but enjoyable.
ericwelch's review against another edition
3.0
"Sin as a concept has nothing to do with right or wrong. It has to do with obedience. You have to submit to the transcendent authority, God, the church, whatever. Sin is deviance." Not the kind of statement one normally finds in a mystery story. This is from The Crown of Columbus by Michael Dorris and Louise Erdrich, both esteemed novelists (or so I'm told). [The tragic story of Michael Dorris's suicide after being accused of child abuse by Louise Erdrich in their bitter divorce is awful. see http://www.salon.com/april97/dorris970421.html for more details]
The story revolves around Vivian Twostar, a native American and professor of native American studies at Dartmouth, and Roger Williams (pun intended no doubt,) who is a tenured professor of English. Vivian discovers some old manuscript pages which are desperately sought after by the descendants of an early Dartmouth student. The suspicion is that the pages hold the key to the location of a valuable crown brought over by Columbus. The narrative is unusual in that the perspective varies between Roger, Vivian and their son. It's also too literate for me. Any novel with 3 pages of poetry is over my head; but I did finish it, and many of you more literate types will no doubt enjoy it immensely. The book does contain many humorous illusions to academic life. Reason enough to make it worthwhile reading
The story revolves around Vivian Twostar, a native American and professor of native American studies at Dartmouth, and Roger Williams (pun intended no doubt,) who is a tenured professor of English. Vivian discovers some old manuscript pages which are desperately sought after by the descendants of an early Dartmouth student. The suspicion is that the pages hold the key to the location of a valuable crown brought over by Columbus. The narrative is unusual in that the perspective varies between Roger, Vivian and their son. It's also too literate for me. Any novel with 3 pages of poetry is over my head; but I did finish it, and many of you more literate types will no doubt enjoy it immensely. The book does contain many humorous illusions to academic life. Reason enough to make it worthwhile reading
gorecki's review against another edition
2.0
As a sworn fan of Louise Erdrich, this low rating hurts me quite a lot: as someone who has now read all her published novels, I have only the highest regard for her writing. I’ve only read one novel by Michael Dorris, but I really enjoyed it too. Having loved these authors separately, I was really looking forward to see what they’ve created together.
Unfortunately, it seems two greats sometimes cancel each other out.
The book, while finely written, seems to be a bit dragging and... nagging. It was a strange mixture of an intelligent romance novel meeting a crime story á la Indiana Jones, that kept shifting from history lessons on the discovery of America to loves-me-loves-me-not to literarature lessons and philosophy.
I couldn’t help but feel that they were more inspired by each other and by working together than by the story they were actually telling. Which is nice, it’s a great way to celebrate their love, inspire each other and work together, but as a book - it was just ok, I guess.
Unfortunately, it seems two greats sometimes cancel each other out.
The book, while finely written, seems to be a bit dragging and... nagging. It was a strange mixture of an intelligent romance novel meeting a crime story á la Indiana Jones, that kept shifting from history lessons on the discovery of America to loves-me-loves-me-not to literarature lessons and philosophy.
I couldn’t help but feel that they were more inspired by each other and by working together than by the story they were actually telling. Which is nice, it’s a great way to celebrate their love, inspire each other and work together, but as a book - it was just ok, I guess.
raehink's review
3.0
Two estranged professors, both intrigued by Christopher Columbus, discover his diary...which could lead to a priceless treasure. As they investigate Columbus and search for answers, they resolve many of their own differences as well.
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