Review by nanaclem -- Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon
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nanaclem
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- Latest Review: Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon
Review by nanaclem -- Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon
[Following is a volunteer review of "Strong Heart" by Charlie Sheldon.]
3 out of 4 stars
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Strongheart is an apt title for Charlie Sheldon’s novel. Sarah is essentially unwanted, with a history of difficult behavior. Now at thirteen she is dumped with a grandfather who never knew of her existence. Accompanied by two friends they travel into the heart of the Olympian mountains where they confront buried truths about themselves, their pasts and the history of their people.
Though technically a fictional adventure, history and science are an integral part of the story. As noted in the afterword, the author conducted serious research into Pacific Coast history as well as the history of human origin. He also integrated his own experience with tribal fishing conflict and habitat conservation. The author's firsthand knowledge is readily apparent in his writing. The reader has the opportunity to learn much, including the design and purpose of an atlatl. The photo at the end of the book of Charlie Sheldon standing near a model short-face bear illustrates some of the inspiration behind the tale. The emphasis of Strongheart on factual history, environmental awareness and preservation is clear.
Yet more compelling is the author's appreciation and understanding of legend. Modern technology and science tend to be dismissive of the old ways. Where science has decreed that the native people have inhabited the land for thousands of years, originally coming from the East, oral tradition recounts a far different history. When Sarah disappears for eight days into the wilderness she experiences a mystic vision, bringing all scientific conclusion into question. Though fact and history have been useful, it is the mystic that captures the imagination and respect of the reader.
From a storytelling point of view, Strongheart might be more effective had the author narrowed focus. The tale of Sarah’s vision is compelling and could easily stand on its own. The language and rhythm are faithful to native narrative, the pace fast and unpredictable. In contrast, Sarah’s adventure with her companions seems more tame, interspersed history and environmental lessons diminishing the impact of both adventure and character development. Sarah builds a more believable relationship with the history of her ancestors than with her new family.
Family ties and how location and history affect relationships are recurrent themes. The actual journey itself is undertaken in respect of an ancestor, Sarah’s great-great grandfather. He lies buried in the forest, surrounded by evidence of their people. The mountains in fact may carry a buried wealth of tales, artifacts that should be pertinent to all, as every character shares common ancestry. Origin history is truly discovering the root of human existence, history common to each and every one of us.
Emphasizing this worldly connection, a Russian scientist who joins the quest near its conclusion is ironically the one who blends the mystic and factual. He demonstrates respect for both the scientific and oral history approaches, and emphasizes that true science is an eternal quest of ever widening knowledge. Their initial foray into the mountains concluded, there is a sense that many more journeys await, each with revelations yet to be discovered.
Though battered by life Sarah emerges as an integral part of human history. She represents the heart that humankind needs to survive, one that has endured the challenge of the past, present time, and one that will face our future. Strongheart is a tale that encompasses man as both storyteller and scientist. I rate this novel 3 out of 4 stars.
******
Strong Heart
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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3 out of 4 stars
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Strongheart is an apt title for Charlie Sheldon’s novel. Sarah is essentially unwanted, with a history of difficult behavior. Now at thirteen she is dumped with a grandfather who never knew of her existence. Accompanied by two friends they travel into the heart of the Olympian mountains where they confront buried truths about themselves, their pasts and the history of their people.
Though technically a fictional adventure, history and science are an integral part of the story. As noted in the afterword, the author conducted serious research into Pacific Coast history as well as the history of human origin. He also integrated his own experience with tribal fishing conflict and habitat conservation. The author's firsthand knowledge is readily apparent in his writing. The reader has the opportunity to learn much, including the design and purpose of an atlatl. The photo at the end of the book of Charlie Sheldon standing near a model short-face bear illustrates some of the inspiration behind the tale. The emphasis of Strongheart on factual history, environmental awareness and preservation is clear.
Yet more compelling is the author's appreciation and understanding of legend. Modern technology and science tend to be dismissive of the old ways. Where science has decreed that the native people have inhabited the land for thousands of years, originally coming from the East, oral tradition recounts a far different history. When Sarah disappears for eight days into the wilderness she experiences a mystic vision, bringing all scientific conclusion into question. Though fact and history have been useful, it is the mystic that captures the imagination and respect of the reader.
From a storytelling point of view, Strongheart might be more effective had the author narrowed focus. The tale of Sarah’s vision is compelling and could easily stand on its own. The language and rhythm are faithful to native narrative, the pace fast and unpredictable. In contrast, Sarah’s adventure with her companions seems more tame, interspersed history and environmental lessons diminishing the impact of both adventure and character development. Sarah builds a more believable relationship with the history of her ancestors than with her new family.
Family ties and how location and history affect relationships are recurrent themes. The actual journey itself is undertaken in respect of an ancestor, Sarah’s great-great grandfather. He lies buried in the forest, surrounded by evidence of their people. The mountains in fact may carry a buried wealth of tales, artifacts that should be pertinent to all, as every character shares common ancestry. Origin history is truly discovering the root of human existence, history common to each and every one of us.
Emphasizing this worldly connection, a Russian scientist who joins the quest near its conclusion is ironically the one who blends the mystic and factual. He demonstrates respect for both the scientific and oral history approaches, and emphasizes that true science is an eternal quest of ever widening knowledge. Their initial foray into the mountains concluded, there is a sense that many more journeys await, each with revelations yet to be discovered.
Though battered by life Sarah emerges as an integral part of human history. She represents the heart that humankind needs to survive, one that has endured the challenge of the past, present time, and one that will face our future. Strongheart is a tale that encompasses man as both storyteller and scientist. I rate this novel 3 out of 4 stars.
******
Strong Heart
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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Latest Review: Strong Heart by Charlie Sheldon
