Scan barcode
50bookgoal's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
vhenderson93's review against another edition
2.0
After watching Disney's, The Light in the Forest and discovering (like most Disney movies) that it was based/inspired by a book, I was intrigued and eagerly got my hands on a copy. Just a quick note- both the movie and the book were good in their own ways but Disney, once again, cleaned up the story for movie-goers.
I really wanted to enjoy this but found myself bored with the story and kept setting it aside. That's not to say that this was bad story or poorly written. I just couldn't get into it.
One theme that stuck out to me was perspective. Most of the white people feared or despised the Indians due to their past attacks and wild rumors. On the other side of the coin, the Indians feared or despised the white people because they moved onto their land and would also attack. True Son was given a rare look into both of these worlds and saw for himself the good and the bad in both peoples. His reunion with his cousin, Half Arrow, really drove this point home.
I loved the beautiful nature descriptions and the way the author compared the ways of both worlds. There was no language. In terms of violence, there was one scene where a man was scalped but it wasn't told in a gruesome way.
Overall, it was an interesting read but I can't see myself picking it up again.
I really wanted to enjoy this but found myself bored with the story and kept setting it aside. That's not to say that this was bad story or poorly written. I just couldn't get into it.
One theme that stuck out to me was perspective. Most of the white people feared or despised the Indians due to their past attacks and wild rumors. On the other side of the coin, the Indians feared or despised the white people because they moved onto their land and would also attack. True Son was given a rare look into both of these worlds and saw for himself the good and the bad in both peoples. His reunion with his cousin, Half Arrow, really drove this point home.
I loved the beautiful nature descriptions and the way the author compared the ways of both worlds. There was no language. In terms of violence, there was one scene where a man was scalped but it wasn't told in a gruesome way.
Overall, it was an interesting read but I can't see myself picking it up again.
raclausing's review against another edition
2.0
Plot: 1/2
It's interesting, but I feel like it never goes anywhere.
Characters: 0
I honestly hate every single character. None of them have depth. I don't care what happens to any of them.
Description: 1
Conrad Richter BORING describes everything nicely.
Style: 0
Like I said. BORING.
Symbolism: 1
Even though I don't like this book, I have to hand it to the eighth grade English teachers for pointing out all of the symbolism. It opened my eyes for future symbol-finding.
TOTAL: 2 1/2
I really don't like this book. TERRIBLE EIGHTH GRADE ENGLISH MEMORIES.
It's interesting, but I feel like it never goes anywhere.
Characters: 0
I honestly hate every single character. None of them have depth. I don't care what happens to any of them.
Description: 1
Conrad Richter BORING describes everything nicely.
Style: 0
Like I said. BORING.
Symbolism: 1
Even though I don't like this book, I have to hand it to the eighth grade English teachers for pointing out all of the symbolism. It opened my eyes for future symbol-finding.
TOTAL: 2 1/2
I really don't like this book. TERRIBLE EIGHTH GRADE ENGLISH MEMORIES.
nishaand's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Easy to read. Story is contentious due to the authors ethnicity, but I don’t believe it was written in jest. Would recommend but would not re-read
willowrocks54's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
This book was really good, but sad.
Content Warnings
locke_reads's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
lucidstyle's review against another edition
4.0
Beautiful, sensitive portrayals of characters, environment, and growth. Keen presentation of hardships and difficulties with perspective and understanding.
soniapage's review against another edition
4.0
What a tragic story! True Son (John Butler) is kidnapped by the Lenni Lenape when a toddler and taken back by his white family when he is sixteen. However, he finds that he doesn't belong in either place.
jamiedee24's review against another edition
3.0
A Product if its Time
This book wasn’t bad, but it is definitely a product of its time and focuses on what the perception of native Americans were from a white perspective. It seemed a little tone deaf to the lives of the actual Lenni Lenape. It would have been interesting with more thorough research.
This book wasn’t bad, but it is definitely a product of its time and focuses on what the perception of native Americans were from a white perspective. It seemed a little tone deaf to the lives of the actual Lenni Lenape. It would have been interesting with more thorough research.