tasmanian_bibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
‘I thought Paradise was lost, not found.’
North America, 1634. The French, the English, the Iroquois and the Wendat are just starting to battle for control over the land. The French and the English have established colonies and want to control the vast natural resources. They also want to convert the ‘savages’ to Christianity and establish towns on the land they have inhabited. In New France, the Iroquois and the Wendat may have been evenly matched, but when the English sell the Iroquois guns, this balance is shaken. Étienne Brûlé may be able to get guns for the Wendat, but he knows that no-one can win.
The hero of this novel is Étienne Brûlé who has lived with the Wendat for years. He has embraced Wendat culture and has helped them develop a fur trade with France. Brûlé has fought alongside the Wendat against the Iroquois and has suffered with them as a consequence. In the novel Étienne Brûle is the only person who seems aware of the dangers of European colonisation.
Based on historical events, Mr Roberts has written an action-filled novel accompanied by beautiful black and white drawings. His novel draws our attention to the consequences of European colonisation including the impact of introduced diseases. Viewed from the 21st century, we know that the French insistence on civilising the ‘savages’ will not end well for either side. Read as a novel set in the 17th century, the French themselves succeed in looking uncivilised at times. For me, the novel succeeds on two fronts. Firstly, by conveying a real sense of the beauty of the countryside and secondly by making me more aware of this historical period.
There is no neat end to this novel, no sense of a story concluding. The novel finishes. The reader returns to the present, knowing that change has just begun. I finished the novel (and Mr Roberts’s notes) wanting to know more about the life of Étienne Brûle.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Atelier Saint-Luc Press for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
North America, 1634. The French, the English, the Iroquois and the Wendat are just starting to battle for control over the land. The French and the English have established colonies and want to control the vast natural resources. They also want to convert the ‘savages’ to Christianity and establish towns on the land they have inhabited. In New France, the Iroquois and the Wendat may have been evenly matched, but when the English sell the Iroquois guns, this balance is shaken. Étienne Brûlé may be able to get guns for the Wendat, but he knows that no-one can win.
The hero of this novel is Étienne Brûlé who has lived with the Wendat for years. He has embraced Wendat culture and has helped them develop a fur trade with France. Brûlé has fought alongside the Wendat against the Iroquois and has suffered with them as a consequence. In the novel Étienne Brûle is the only person who seems aware of the dangers of European colonisation.
Based on historical events, Mr Roberts has written an action-filled novel accompanied by beautiful black and white drawings. His novel draws our attention to the consequences of European colonisation including the impact of introduced diseases. Viewed from the 21st century, we know that the French insistence on civilising the ‘savages’ will not end well for either side. Read as a novel set in the 17th century, the French themselves succeed in looking uncivilised at times. For me, the novel succeeds on two fronts. Firstly, by conveying a real sense of the beauty of the countryside and secondly by making me more aware of this historical period.
There is no neat end to this novel, no sense of a story concluding. The novel finishes. The reader returns to the present, knowing that change has just begun. I finished the novel (and Mr Roberts’s notes) wanting to know more about the life of Étienne Brûle.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Atelier Saint-Luc Press for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
hectaizani's review against another edition
4.0
A Land Apart is historical fiction loosely based on actual events that occurred around 1634-35. The French and the English are vying to be the first to colonize the Canadian wilderness and aren’t about to let the indigenous peoples occupying the lands stand in their way. Instead, viewing the tribal societies as savage and lesser the Europeans attempt to forcibly convert them to Christianity, introduce them to alcoholism, and spread disease amongst the people.
The overall story focuses on a French explorer Etienne Brule who upon arrival in Canada embraced the lifestyle of the Wendat tribe. Instead of trying to change them he himself changed and became part of their community and helped them to successfully trade with the Europeans without being cheated. Brule understood the continued encroaching of European ways, values, and technology would eventually spell doom to tribal society. Brule fought against arming the Wendat with muskets until he ultimately realized that unless the Wendat were also armed they wouldn’t be able to compete against their rivals the Iroquois who were being supplied by the English.
The author and illustrator, Ian Roberts, has dreamed of telling the story of Brule and his fight to save the Wendat against the encroachment of the French ever since he was a boy canoeing the waterways of Ontario. In his version of this moment in time he captures the stark, beauty of the wilderness through lovely black and white illustrations and descriptive text. In the afterward, Roberts, acknowledges that his retelling could be problematic – as a white male, with a white hero, telling the story of an indigenous people and said that he took that into consideration when he was writing. There is a section about historical accuracy and a study guide both well worth consideration leaving some weighty questions for readers to ponder.
My only complaint was that the story was too short, and the ending was abrupt. Also, having read this on an e-reader, I would highly recommend picking up a paper copy of the book. I think the heavily illustrated nature would translate better and have more weight as a physical rather than virtual copy. Recommended to readers of historical fiction with an interest in the early settlement of North America.
I received a free review copy from the publisher through Netgalley in return for the promise of an honest review.
The overall story focuses on a French explorer Etienne Brule who upon arrival in Canada embraced the lifestyle of the Wendat tribe. Instead of trying to change them he himself changed and became part of their community and helped them to successfully trade with the Europeans without being cheated. Brule understood the continued encroaching of European ways, values, and technology would eventually spell doom to tribal society. Brule fought against arming the Wendat with muskets until he ultimately realized that unless the Wendat were also armed they wouldn’t be able to compete against their rivals the Iroquois who were being supplied by the English.
The author and illustrator, Ian Roberts, has dreamed of telling the story of Brule and his fight to save the Wendat against the encroachment of the French ever since he was a boy canoeing the waterways of Ontario. In his version of this moment in time he captures the stark, beauty of the wilderness through lovely black and white illustrations and descriptive text. In the afterward, Roberts, acknowledges that his retelling could be problematic – as a white male, with a white hero, telling the story of an indigenous people and said that he took that into consideration when he was writing. There is a section about historical accuracy and a study guide both well worth consideration leaving some weighty questions for readers to ponder.
My only complaint was that the story was too short, and the ending was abrupt. Also, having read this on an e-reader, I would highly recommend picking up a paper copy of the book. I think the heavily illustrated nature would translate better and have more weight as a physical rather than virtual copy. Recommended to readers of historical fiction with an interest in the early settlement of North America.
I received a free review copy from the publisher through Netgalley in return for the promise of an honest review.
annarella's review against another edition
4.0
Adventure, cultural clash and a well researched historical background.
This book has it all to be appreciated by people who love historical fiction and those who like adventurous books.
I loved the style of writing and I loved how the plot was developed, fast paced and engaging.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Recommended!
Many thanks to Atelier Saint-Luc Press and Netgalley for this ARC
This book has it all to be appreciated by people who love historical fiction and those who like adventurous books.
I loved the style of writing and I loved how the plot was developed, fast paced and engaging.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Recommended!
Many thanks to Atelier Saint-Luc Press and Netgalley for this ARC
writeramyshannon's review against another edition
4.0
A step back in history
Roberts' A Land Apart is an intriguing and grand story that takes the reader back in time to 1634. With tribes and culture battling and trading, it's a well-written story that feels like that time and place. The historical information seems like this author did his homework on what life was, or what it could have been like. I enjoyed this story. It's very adventurous and the characters have a great depth to them. I look forward to reading more by this author.
Roberts' A Land Apart is an intriguing and grand story that takes the reader back in time to 1634. With tribes and culture battling and trading, it's a well-written story that feels like that time and place. The historical information seems like this author did his homework on what life was, or what it could have been like. I enjoyed this story. It's very adventurous and the characters have a great depth to them. I look forward to reading more by this author.
annarella's review
4.0
Adventure, cultural clash and a well researched historical background.
This book has it all to be appreciated by people who love historical fiction and those who like adventurous books.
I loved the style of writing and I loved how the plot was developed, fast paced and engaging.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Recommended!
Many thanks to Atelier Saint-Luc Press and Netgalley for this ARC
This book has it all to be appreciated by people who love historical fiction and those who like adventurous books.
I loved the style of writing and I loved how the plot was developed, fast paced and engaging.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Recommended!
Many thanks to Atelier Saint-Luc Press and Netgalley for this ARC
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