People of the Masks, A Novel of Prehistoric North America (The First North Americans, Tenth) [Unabridged] [Mass Market Paperback]

Kathleen O'Neal Gear (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 2000

ISBN 0-812-51561-7. 552 pages. Book in good condition. creases on spine from having been read. Shelf wear to edges and corners. Covers and pages tight and clean. Our book number 21000.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 252 pages
• Publisher: Tor, Tom Doherty Associates, New York; First Mass Market Edition: June 2000 edition (2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812515617
• ISBN-13: 978-0812515619
• ASIN: B000IMROX6
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.3 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,604,220 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well written, and historically accurate!, August 12, 2000

By 

Lissa (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: People of the Masks (The First North Americans, Book 10) (Mass Market Paperback)

I thought that People of The Masks is one of the best books that I've read all year.

People of the Masks follows the story of Rumbler, a False Face child, and Little Wren, a young girl in the Bear Clan. Rumbler is a dwarf, and as such is said to have great powers. The war leader of one of the bear clans wants that power, so he mounts a party and steals Rumbler away from his clan. And thus begins the story.

I really liked this book because the relationships between the various characters are explored. Aside from the main characters, the supporting character have their time in the spotlight. In fact, I think my favorite characters were Silver Sparrow, and Dust Moon. Dust Moon divorced Silver Sparrow after 35 years of marriage, and some of the dialogue between them is quite funny. I also appreciated the fact that People of the Masks (and really all of the "People of" books) was historically accurate. I know a fair amount about Native American cultures, espeically the Iroquois, and this is important.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who is interested in Native American cultures, or anyone who enjoys a good read.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Captivating reading!, December 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: People of the Masks (The First North Americans, Book 10) (Mass Market Paperback)

What a wonderful book. I read it quite quickly. The characterizations are perfect and the history fascinating. I feel I have lived the experience and it was very spiritual and close to nature. I really felt like I had been tracking in the snowy winter with the *people* - totally engrossing! I have already purchased another in the series, couldn't stand for this one to end without having my hands on the next one! Very highly recommend.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars AWESOME series... but this book here is just, well..., August 7, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: People of the Masks (The First North Americans, Book 10) (Mass Market Paperback)

I don't want to pick things apart... but I was really confused as to who wrote this book. It was flat, dopey, simple, almost childish... I hold the series and authors in high esteem... that's why this one leaves me a bit confused. I mean it is a big transition to go from some of the books, hidden treasures of depth and wisdom, to this one -- so... unenlightened... common... Mickey Mousey Gee Golly. It isn't that the adventure doesn't go to dark places, it's that it goes there with such Movie of the Week obviousness. Really.

Take a look at two main character pairings -- Little Wren, and Rumbler, two children set up against incredible harsh odds, and constant torment from the foolhardey madness of the adult empire... and Sparrow and 'Dust', two divorced clan elders of a different tribe, who learn to love again. Everything that happens is shallow, predictable, and made up of cliche to cliche. I kid you not, most of the children's dialogue is s-stuttered, that must be the way to show the intensity of all situations.

I do enjoy the series, and like I said, have found other books among it to be remarkable. This one, I just didn't dig.

There was one thing of worth, a historical afterward (the history really did not tie into the story at all here by the way) but the actual historical information and point of view offered in a couple pages at the end of the book brought me to tears as it talks about the founding of democracy and some stuff about it I hadn't realized. Unfortunately, the story had nothing to do with that, which is once again, why I have to find this as the first dud I've come across in this series of books.

I recommend People of the Lakes (Astounding!), and People of the River. The mysticism is one of the best things about these books, so if that's not your bag then you may not find them as incredible as I.