2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Courtesy of Teens Read Too, March 7, 2007
This review is from: Call Me the Canyon: A Novel (Paperback)
The wild canyon country of the western United States was relatively unexplored at the turn of the century, but it was home to fifteen-year-old Madolen. She has been raised by her prospector father since the death of her Navajo mother. A Mormon family offers a different kind of life for Madolen, and she leaves her father's cabin to live with them.
She is eager to experience life in the outside world, and now she will help out with the never-ending work on the Olsen's farm, and be educated in math, reading, and the Mormon religion. Her life with the Olsen family is a joy, and she and the Olsen daughter, Claire, share a deep friendship. A tragedy intervenes, and Madolen leaves her home with them to become the guide to a handsome archaeologist as he explores the canyons for native artifacts and art.
Ann Howard Creel provides rich historical detail about the canyon area, the Navajo nation, and the attempts at gold recovery. Madolen is a compelling character and I felt her joy and pain as she fell in love with Wallis, and her worry over her dying father. The story is narrated by Madolen in eloquent prose and colorful descriptions. The lure of gold and the natural dangers of the canyon country are always just below the surface in this fast-paced, unique, and unpredictable story.
I highly recommend this book for its entertainment and historical value. This is an author that I will be watching for.
Reviewed by: Grandma Bev
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4.0 out of 5 stars
for the romantic in us all, January 18, 2007
This review is from: Call Me the Canyon: A Novel (Paperback)
Reviewed by April Sullivan for Reader Views (1/07)
"Call Me the Canyon" is an unconventional love story. It is set at the turn of the century in the wild, minimally explored, canyon country of the western United States. This love story is not only about love between man and woman, but also about love of the land.
Ann Howard Creel writes about a young woman named Madolen, who is part Navajo and lives with her father deep in Glen Canyon off the Colorado River. Madolen and her father live a secluded and rugged lifestyle and she yearns to see more than the canyon walls. When she is invited to live with a Mormon family on the outskirts of the canyon she jumps at the chance to expand her horizons. She is finally able to break out of the confines of her childhood in the canyon. While living with the Olsen family she learns practical lessons, such as how to read and the fundamentals of the Mormon religion. She also learns the ups and down of family, love, and society.
A few years later back in the canyon, Madolen becomes a guide for a young, rich eastern man. Wallis Heremon represents a life and world that Madolen feels that she will never know. Wallis on the other hand is envious of the freedom Madolen has in the canyon. Their relationship progresses to a climactic ending that keeps the reader engrossed to the last page.
This book "Call Me the Canyon" is a crossover book for both adults and kids over 14. It spans Madolen's teenage years and I can see its appeal to that age group. The sentence structure and simple wording is obviously geared to a younger audience and takes a little getting used to when reading the book as an adult. But once you get into the story the pacing begins to flow easier. As a love story and historical novel the subject matter is appropriate for all ages. The author has researched her topic thoroughly, and she encourages the reader to continue learning more about the canyon lands of the Old West with a list of references in the back of the book.
My favorite part of the book is the detail with which Ann Howard Creel writes. She meticulously describes the vegetation and geology of the location. She also describes Madolen and each new experience she encounters with such enthusiasm it is as if the reader is enjoying these experiences along with her. For example, when she visits the Mormon church in Bluff City, Madolen is struck by the sound of harmony; something so simple, yet so new to someone who has spent her childhood in near seclusion. "I had never heard the sound of so many voices rising in song together at once. The great booming sound they made and the harmony - which I'd never heard before, either - was the most beautiful thing."
"Call Me the Canyon" is for the romantic in us all. Ann Howard Creel writes with passion and beauty. Her imagery of the canyon and the emotion she uses to bring Madolen to life are written with skill. I want to tell you more about this book, but I don't want to give it away. Read it and be swept away to a land and love of recent American history.
Book received free of charge.
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