Through the remarkable DeGeer family, this extraordinary novel introduces us to an almost forgotten people wrested from their tribal ways and forced into a new life on a rapidly changing frontier. The intricacies of Crow Indian culture are as fascinating as the harrowing scenes of warfare and tragedy that befall this collection of memorable characters. Renee DeGeer, a lusty French Canadian who now calls the Crow his brothers, raises two strong sons: Jacques, Renee's natural born; and Nicolas, who is adopted by the DeGeer's. The young boys soon outgrow the mischief of their childhood and develop into strong warriors. But when Jacques takes a brave white woman as his wife, passions erupt, and one will terrible secret threatens not only to tear the fabric of this close-knit family but the Crow Nation as well.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Medawar's expansive first novel of life among the Crow Indians has large ambitions but succeeds merely in giving a Native American patina to a generic example of the historical, multigenerational saga. Born to a pioneering family on the Montana frontier in 1854, Egbert Higgins is adopted after his parents' deaths by Renee DeGeer, a French-Canadian who married a Crow woman and chose to stay with her people. Renamed Nicolas, Egbert is raised with Renee's son Jacques, both following the ways of the Crow. The narrative traces the family's adventures through the Indian Wars; in keeping with genre conventions, numerous historical figures--including Generals Sherman, Crook and Custer and Chiefs Santana and Crazy Horse--parade across the pages. The author manages to weave in some Crow oral history, detailing changes in the tribe's life as the buffalo are driven from the plains by increasing numbers of white people, but neither her clumsy writing nor the two-dimensional characters spark much interest as the story drags toward its close at the end of the 19th century.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From the Inside Flap
Through the remarkable DeGeer family, this extraordinary novel introduces us to an almost forgotten people wrested from their tribal ways and forced into a new life on a rapidly changing frontier. The intricacies of Crow Indian culture are as fascinating as the harrowing scenes of warfare and tragedy that befall this collection of memorable characters. Renee DeGeer, a lusty French Canadian who now calls the Crow his brothers, raises two strong sons: Jacques, Renee's natural born; and Nicolas, who is adopted by the DeGeer's. The young boys soon outgrow the mischief of their childhood and develop into strong warriors. But when Jacques takes a brave white woman as his wife, passions erupt, and one will terrible secret threatens not only to tear the fabric of this close-knit family but the Crow Nation as well.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A truly wonderful experience.,
By A Customer
This review is from: People of the Whistling Waters (Paperback)
The author projects the reader into a past full of excitement and suspense. I found the characters came alive in a way few writers have been able to capture. An essential collection for anyone wanting to truly understand how the west really was and the deep roots of America and its people
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
wonderful book!,
By Patricia O'Tuama "rissa" (Illinois) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: People of the Whistling Waters (Paperback)
This is a marvelous, thoroughly entertaining and very interesting book. The characters, beginning with Renee and Willow DeGeer and their family, are complex and intriguing. The story focuses on the period between the 1830's, when white settlers began moving onto Crow land, and the 1880's, after the Crow have moved to the reservation, moved into houses and begun taking "real" jobs. The story begins with Nicholas, the adopted son, and follows him as he is assmilated into the Whistling Waters Clan. The relationship between the DeGeer parents and their children is warm, loving and humorous. The book is full of historical and cultural details and, as is usual with Medawar's books, all the women are small and feisty while all the men are tall and handsome. This book won the Western Writers of America award for best first novel in 1994.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Captivating,
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This review is from: People of the Whistling Waters (Paperback)
"People of the Whistling Waters" by Mardi Oakley Medawar captured my attention from the very first page. Her characters come to life with her talented dialogue and authentic action. Medawar's depiction of the Crow Nation is insightful. Medawar snared my interest and held it to the very last page. I am eager to read more from this great author. ...
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