Customer Reviews

Mother Earth Father Sky

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Mother Earth Father Sky by Sue Harrison is a powerful book about a young woman who searches for a sense of belonging and ends up finding a whole new family, and, more importantly, she discovers more about her own character; through her journey, she lived through love, loss, and self-discovery. Chagak, of an Indian tribe, had just become a woman. While she was picking berries, her whole tribe was burned and killed; the only survivors were herself and her little brother Pup. After giving each one of the members of the tribe a proper ceremony of death, with her little brother, she decided to go to her grandfather's tribe to seek assistance. She ended up on an Island with a man named Shuganan. On this island, Pup died and Chagak grieved. Shuganan gave Chagak food, water, and shelter and they became friends. They shared their experiences and became very close.

A man comes to the beach and claims that he is good, but in reality, he is a killer, which is explained in his name, Man-who-kills. He impregnates Chagak with force and is very brutal toward both her and to Shuganan. The two kill him and are free from his cruelty. She gives birth to the son and he is named Samiq.

The story is then intelligently intertwined with the story of another tribe. These two tribes later meet and live amongst one another. The leader of that tribe is Kayugh and his son has not eaten healthy because his mother died and he couldn't be breastfed. Chagak agrees to feed him; she, in the end, saves his live.

Chagak, traumatized over her experience with Man-who-kills, never wants another husband for fear of being treated so harshly. Kayugh wants her as his wife. You'll have to read the book to find out what happens next.

Through Chagak's journey, she realizes that although she is a woman and is supposed to be inferior, she is still strong. She had the strength to bury her whole family, being raped and giving birth to the child as a result of that, and so much more.

I really recommend this book because Sue Harrison really gives all her characters a unique personality. She brings her characters, including the whole book to life; it's like your watching a movie and not really reading. In addition to this, Harrison did a lot of research on the Native American culture, which brings out the richness and virtues of their lifestyle. The story shows how a woman can have strength within and use it to persevere and overcome any obstacles.

Chagrak is a young prehistoric girl whose village is massacred by evil foreigners called short ones.. She flees the village with her little brother. Later she encounters an elderly hermit and lives with him until the Short Ones arrive and make trouble. Can Chagrak fight back and reclaim her dignity?

I found Mother Earth Father Sky a gripping read from start to finish. It was difficult at times putting it down. The cover itself is nothing much... So don't let it fool you. If you like Prehistoric fiction, you'll like this one. Downsides? The beginning where the heroine's village is massacred is very cliche. Also, Chagrak is only 13, and while I know this was considered an adult back then I had difficulty envisioning her being quite that resilient. Finally, her relationship at the end seemed passionless and uninteresting. I would've liked to see some attraction between the two. There was more of a bond between her and Shuganan despite his age.

5 stars. A gripping read.

Mother Earth, Father Sky by Sue Harrison Spellbound with magnitude. First Man revered their children. Mothers had joy and laughter and work, companionship, hardship, sheer terror. But the strong undercurrent of this novel struck me as these mothers were basically prolife, with reverence to the spiritual world around them, they desired long life for their offspring, so that they might become the best at their different talents and personalities. Even the harmony of those living with neighbors not so 'nice'.

The first to read in this series, only recently did finished, I couldn't wait to read the second. And now onto the third of your first series. Never knew of their existence until Nov, 1999, now I want to read all of your books. Sue, you have a wonderful way with stories. Thank you for the work you are doing. I am most thankful that Storytellers are still among us.

Truthfully, I read My Sister The Moon before I read this one. I didn't even realize there was a 1st to the series. In fact, after reading this one, that one is even better. And of course everything makes even more sense. I read Jean Auel's series right before reading Sue's and I didn't expect to find an author to match the Earth's Children's Series. The story was amazing and so were the details. I was so caught up in this tale that it didn't take me long at all to read it because I couldn't put it down. By writing this series Sue made me a very loyal reader and i will read anything she writes and anyone who like Auel or Shuler or even the Gears couple will love Harrison

Hey, I am 13 years old, and I really got into this book! I never was all that interested in ancient peoples (fiction of course) and I picked up this book because I was bored out of my mind, to tell the truth. I am a major fan of Brian Jacques, and I never thought I would actually like this book. I loved this book for a lot of reasons and I would definatly read it again. In the beginning, Chagak loses her entire famiy, including her future husband. She is the only one to survive, and of course her baby brother Pup. Pup soon dies, and Chagak is left alone. She then makes friends with the carver Shugannan and she lives on his island. A lot happens after that but I wont give it away. I really reccomend this book and I am sure that anyone to read it will enjoy it and want to keep on reading the following books. Sue Harrison, I applaud you and all of your great books, including all of the others, not just this one!

Thanks to an incredible author,Sue Harrison,I found myself thinking about this book's characters and adventures even after I'd read into the next book. Her books are masterfully researched and the life of Chagak has the reader enduring her pain, her happiness and love, and her ability to never give up. Sue allows you walk in the characters shoes and you can believe you're right there with them.Two Thumbs Up to a fantastic author!

Jean Auel doesn't even compare to Sue Harrison! I read the first two books in the Jean Auel's series and by the third I could not take it anymore, I just shut the book. Long and boring! I have read all six of Sue Harrison's and I recommend them to everyone. They are full of action, intrigue, history, culture, and on the sensual side. Sue Harrison really done her research, it shows through her detailed culture and vivid traditions. She truly respects the indigenous race and most importantly she wrote her characters with morals and values, making them human instead of Godless savages the way some authors write. She wrote them as they were, descendants really appreciate this.

I started reading this book and I literaly couldn't put it down.

Sue Harrison did a great job, I felt for the heroine-Chagak, I was sad reading about her sorrows and I was happy when good things happened to her.

I didn't even finish half of the book when I got back on online and ordered 2nd & 3rd books (My Sister The Moon & My Brother Wind)

You won't regret reading Sue Harrison's book-that's for sure!

I have read many books by many authors. I have quite a collection I read over and over every year.But Sue Harrison has a way of drawing the reader in. I can smell the salt air, feel the cold, hunger, and taste the meat. The culture lover will enjoy her books. I have been reading her books since Mother Earth Father Sky hit the stores. She knows her stuff. You will be hooked......line n sinker.

I have to admit, I never read any series like this before. "Mother Earth Father Sky" was given to me by a dear friend who also enjoyed the series. I found this book to be almost like a soap opera with great character development. It is almost as if you feel like you know the characters. I read all three books in the series and was sad when the story ended.