Customer Reviews

The Color of Lightning: A Novel

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(23)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The stories of a number of characters on the Texas frontier during the period immediately following the Civil War: a recently-freed African American teamster and his wife and children; a Quaker Indian agent; a white woman captured by the Kiowa tribe but eventually rescued; several Native American characters appear as well. What I loved about this novel was the quality of reflection about the characters, the careful differentiation of their inner thoughts (and the fact that the characters are drawn very differently), the way in which the author puts her characters in the path of conflict, and the portrayal of the irresolvable nature of cultural negotiation along the border between U.S. settlement and the retreating Native American nations. Tremendously well-written, with a very concrete feel to the prose, the book is a joy to read. Also, the author very clearly relied for background material on the most uptodate scholarship in the field, so while there are occasional slips, for the most part historical narrative about cowboys and Indians is avoided.

To read the work of Paulette Jiles is both a privilege and a pleasure. Reviewing her debut novel, Enemy Women, I described her prose as artful, her story painful in its authenticity yet poetically rendered, and the book as one that would not be forgotten. I would echo those sentiments regarding The Color Of Lightning. An acclaimed poet and memorist, her literary voice haunts as she explores the plight of humanity in its progress.

Once again she turns to pages from our history to bring us an imagined story, yet one based on prodigious research, documentation, and oral history. Set in post-Civil War North Texas it is the morning of October 13, 1864 when Britt Johnson, a freed-man, is preparing his team of horses to go to Weatherford for supplies. He leaves behind his wife, Mary, and their two youngest children. Stopping along the way he leaves his eldest son, Jim, at the Fitzgerald home for a visit.

While Britt is away "...a combined force of seven hundred Comanche and Kiowa poured down into what the white people knew as Young County. Mary and the children are captured by the Kiowa, while Elizabeth Fitzgerald and her granddaughter are seized by the Comanches. They were, it seemed at the time, more fortunate than Susan Durgan whose "scalp and its tangled brown hair bounced on the pommel of a man named Eaten Alive." Thus, Britt's odyssey begins, a search for his family across unfriendly, unfamiliar terrain often in enemy territory.

In a parallel story Samuel Hammond, a Philadelphia Quaker, is delegated by the Society of Friends to go West as the Indian agent, to befriend and teach the Comanche and Kiowa, to give them goods, calico, muslin, rations of beef, farming implements, as if these "would bring order and obedience." And then they would be happy to live on a reservation.

It is also his task to rescue those taken captive and return them to their families, little knowing that some seized as children have no wish to return, in fact fear what they do not remember or understand. Later, a young girl called Good Medicine is brought to him. When he reassures her that now she will not go hungry, he realizes it is not starvation she fears but "She was afraid of the slow death of confinement. Of being trapped inside immovable houses and stiff clothing.....She could not go out at dawn alone and sing, she would not be seen and known by the rising sun."

There is a great deal of beauty in Jiles's book and large portions of truth. Questions that today remain unanswered.

Highly recommended.

- Gail Cooke

"The Color of Lightning" is a novelized account of the lives of real people and actual events in the Texas of the 1860s and the surrounding Indian Territory. Very literately written, it tells of Britt and Mary Johnson, a black couple who settle in Texas as freed slaves, and their children; Elizabeth Fitzgerald, a ranch widow of indomitable spirit; and Samuel Hammond, a Quaker hired to manage the Indian agency which ministers to the Comanche and Kiowa, who don't want white ways pressed on them. Samuel is one of the few fictionalized people in the book; most characters here actually existed.

In the hours when the men are away on a freighting job, the Johnson and Fitzgerald homesteads are descended upon by Comanche and Kiowa together. The women are brutalized, the children are either snatched up or killed, and the survivors are kidnapped away. Upon his return from freighting, Britt sets about going after them, doing so in a measured, thought-out manner, nothing brash or unconsidered. His coolness is what helps him survive many touchy situations.

Very well written and researched, the author, Paulette Jiles, presents a vivid story of a wild time in the history of that locale. She shows clearly the obtuseness of those running the agencies, with their pigheaded insistence on their own way, the white way, not trying to understand a people who have managed quite well, thank you, without learning outside ways, for centuries. There is a bit of pigheadedness on that side as well, in that the tribes stolidly refused to see that what was coming, as sad as it was, was inevitable.

Interestingly, I read an account of this incident the very day I started this book, in a Western publication, and was surprised to discover the authenticity of the story. The incident itself sparked a movie called "The Searchers" a few decades ago, with a Hollywoodized cast; the truth got a little lost in the shuffle. This book comes much closer to the truth, and is recommended highly, especially for readers interested in the Texas of that era and the lost glory days of the Comanche and Kiowa Nations.

Paulette Jiles's "The Color of Lightning" is a beautiful, emotional foray into North Texas as white settlers begin to take the land from Kiowa and Comanche tribes. In return, the Indians take American and Mexican captives, steal horses, and cattle. It is history, the outcome is known, and yet this book is suspenseful and emotional and beautiful.

The book touched me with the beauty of the vast plains of Texas, the movements of one horse or thousands, the great buffalo herds, the towering clouds and meadows, mountains, forests, rivers. Jiles includes the details of the natural world in deft descriptive passages.

The book touched me with emotions: for the captives, some of whom preferred the Kiowa or Comanche ways and some who longed for home and revenge; for the black soldiers and the black freight men, trying to earn a living and respect after the Civil War officially granted the rights that were not recognized; the love of one man for one woman over a long road to recovery from horrendous hardship and brutality.

The book widened my view of history. I knew of the battles of the plains, of Custer, and the Sioux. Here we have revealed the stories of other settlers, other tribes, the Quaker Indian Agent, who sought peace and fairness among war-like scoundrels on both sides.

Above all, this is the fictionalized story of Britt Johnson, a former slave, seeking to live free.

"The Color of Lightning" is a fast read, but it is not a flash on the horizon. It is a unique retelling from oral histories that will live in readers' hearts long after the last page has been turned.

The wild, wild West lives again in the pages of The Color of Lightning, Paulette Jiles's biography of Britt Johnson, a recently freed slave who relocates to Texas seeking a better life for his family. Unfortunately, he settles adjacent to hostile territories in a time rife with disgruntled and non-trusting Native Americans. During an extended job-related run, his homestead is attacked by the local tribes. His oldest son is murdered and his and his neighbor's wife and remaining children are ravaged and kidnapped. The novel focuses on Britt's painstaking months-long journey to reclaim his family and friends often at risk to his own life. What the captured women and children endured was easy to imagine as Jiles does a good job painting those scenes. She also builds empathy in the aftermath of the rescue when relaying Britt's recurring struggles with his wife's long-suffering psychological scars. This novel also chronicles the era's slanted societal views and unlawful U.S. policies toward Native and African Americans.

Jiles's rendering of the tale is solidly "literary;" a bit heavy on dialogue and descriptions that at times slow the plot. However, I think history and cultural buffs will relish the details that define the mindsets of the Plains Indians and government officials involved in the raids, (broken) peace treaties, and (failed) land grant negotiations. She also captures the viewpoints of the unfortunate souls caught between the squabbles and strife; those who often fell victim to too many "misunderstandings" or "misinterpretations." Upon completion of the book, I performed cursory research of my own and from what I read, her depictions seem to be historically accurate. Prior to reading her novel, I knew nothing of Britt Johnson so I commend her for spotlighting a slice of American (Texas, Native American, and African American) history -- I was educated and entertained.

Reviewed by Phyllis
Date: April 11, 2009
APOOO BookClub
Nubian Circle Book Club

In Texas freed slave Britt Johnson is still angry with his wife Mary when he stomps off to get supplies. When he returns still somewhat fuming, he finds a horrific sight awaiting him. His oldest son is dead; his spouse and their two other kids as well as their elderly neighbor and his grandchildren are gone. He knows the Kiowa abducted them; that is if they have not killed them.

When the Kiowa abuse the female prisoners, Johnson's ten-year-old son adapts their lifestyle rather easily. Meanwhile Johnson begins a quest to rescue his family while the Office of Indian Affairs sends Quaker Samuel Hammond to convert nomadic Kiowa from a feral society to agriculture. He is especially appalled with the tribe's abduction policy and even more aghast when some of the kidnapped prefer to remain with their abductees. Johnson refuses to quit seeking to ransom his family; knowing the mental scars each bears.

Based on a legendary mid nineteenth century hero, THE COLOR OF LIGHTNING is a superb historical biographical fiction that brings vividly to life the saga of Britt Johnson. The cast is powerful as guilt ridden Britt struggles with rescuing his family members from the Kiowa and afterward coping with their changes; his wife is mentally and physically an abuse victim and his two surviving children, especially his son, have adapted to the Indian culture; each finds it difficult to return to their previous life. Paulette Jiles provides a thoughtful look at a true American hero and his family.

Harriet Klausner

The story is both eye opening and sad. A story based on the actual verbal history of a real family. This is the tale of Britt Johnson, his wife and three children, who left Kentucky after being freed by their owners to seek a new life in the settlement of Elm Creek, Texas. While he is away, Indians raid Elm Creek marking the end of the family he knew.

Britt is determined to rescue his family as well as members of a neighboring family. He will reclaim his dreams.

The story also features the viewpoints of newly appointed Indian Agent Samuel Hammond. Assigned by the Indian Bureau to represent the Quakers his instructions are to peacefully encourage the Camanche, Kiowa and the Kiowa-Apache Indians to settle down on Reserves and find farming and the Lord. Hammond quickly learns that he is unable to control the Indians by peace or by force. He is also tormented with why captives prefer to stay with the Indians than return to their previous lives.

A minor, but important character is Mr. Deaver, a journalist who is the passive voice for the lifestyle and rights of the Indians.

Together these characters weave a thought provoking story. The characters are well sketched out. My favorite being Elizabeth Fitzgerald, Britt's neighbor and former Indian captive.

This is an excellent historical novel. I do recommend this.
WARNING though: There is a great deal of violence and sensitive topics and may not be suitable for all readers.

Ms. Jiles has done an excellent job of re-creating the lives of two cultures of people in the early days of Texas. When settlers began to pour into Texas vying for the land the Indian had lived on for centuries, there was suffering on both sides. In this book, we see clearly how the two cultures differed so greatly as to make co-habitation next to impossible. The story is based on the life of Britt Johnson, a black man whose family is attacked by a combined band of Kiowa and Commanche while he is away establishing a freighting business. A son is killed and his wife and two other children are taken hostage. With a cool head and well thought out plans, he sets out to reclaim his family.
Adult women suffered much in the hands of the Indian of that day and found it hard to live in captivity where they were often so ill-treated. But the children were soon assimilated into the culture and usually became as Indians themselves. Often they suffered again if returned to their biological families. I've read true accounts of this amazing, to me, transformation that takes place in the heart of the non-Indian child even when he or she have seen their biological parents and siblings murdered, often in a most horrendous manner. In this story we also see the struggle of a well-meaning white man who comes with malice toward none and confident he can make these free-roaming Indians settle down and live happily ever after, their weapons laid aside and their hands turned to the handle of the plow. Like oil and water the two cultures clash and, honestly, I saw no way the situation could be improved. A lot of research went into this book, even the details of harnesses and guns are woven in as smoothly as the threads of a silken fabric. This is a great story!
Eunice Boeve, author of Ride a Shadowed Trail

This is the first novel I've read by Paulette Jiles and I jump to applaud her! The Color of Lightning is masterful storytelling as brutal and raw as the language is beautiful and lyrical. I was so riveted to this page turner that I could not put it down until I finished it.

There are plenty of plot summaries among the other reviews so I will not repeat one here. I will say though that The Color of Lightning is a gripping piece of historical fiction based on true events in post Civil War Texas. It is a unique narrative, weaving the voices of several different perspectives ~ a freed African American slave/settler and his family, the American Indian tribes whose lands were being settled, the Quaker US government land agent applying his principles of non-violence and duty ~ perspectives on murder, family, ownership, captivity, flight, freedom... into a rich and eloquent American tapestry.

It is a tragic as it is a life-affirming read and I recommend it highly. I look forward to reading some other titles by Ms. Jiles as well. Again I say "Bravo" for The Color of Lightning!

In 1863, the American Civil War is still being fought and, in the way of all wars, provides opportunities for some as well as destruction for many. Ms Jiles has written this novel around the life of Britt Johnson, a former Kentucky slave.

Britt Johnson, with his wife Mary and their three children, have moved to the Texas plains in search of their dreams. A brutal Indian attack results in the death of Britt's eldest son and the capture of his wife and other children. Britt seeks to recover his family and to establish a business carrying goods across the plains. Britt is ultimately successful in both of these endeavours, and earns the respect of many. While, generally, the cultural differences between the invaders and the invaded led to much misunderstanding and heartbreak on both sides, there were individuals (including Britt Johnson) who sought to understand.

This novel portrays the brutality of the times, together with the struggle between the Americans themselves in relation to slavery, as well as the warfare between the Americans and the Indians for possession of land. These were turbulent years. Individuals fought for possessions and souls, while armies fought for territory and superiority of strength.

I enjoyed this novel: the story of Britt Johnson caught my attention. Ms Jiles also included a bibliography in the novel for those (like me) who want to learn more about this period.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith