Customer Reviews

Ride the Wind

5 star:		(139)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Don't be fooled by the cover. This is not *Throbbing Raven's Passion*. Robson's novel about Cynthia Ann Parker is gussied up as a piece of historical romance, but it is a solidly researched, well-written biography of one of the most fascinating women of Texas, the mother of Comanche chief Quanah Parker. To avoid lunkhead complaints about "spoilers," I can't tell you what happens to her, but in the literature of women kidnapped by Indians, her story is unique.

Robson does a great job of maintaining a delicate balance between the "savagery" of the Comanches (a horrifying massacre of the Parker family opens the novel) and the rich, positive side of their lives. She has set out to understand and communicate how a young white woman could come to regard her "rescue" as a second kidnapping, and she pulls it off. *The Searchers,* based on the same story, may be a greater work of art, but *Ride the Wind* has the taste and smell of truth about it.

Then I suggest you pick this book right away and start reading ~~ it will be one book that you will never forget. I know. I re-read it every year and have been doing so for the last 10 years. I first picked it up during a summer working in Yellowstone ~~ that was when I started becoming interested in Native American Indian History ~~ and needing something lighter and easier to read, I started with "Ride the Wind."

This is such a great beginning introduction to reading about the Comanches ~~ even though the book is a novel ~~ it is based on what few known historical facts on Cynthia Parker and the man who she calls husband ~~ Wanderer, one of the last great Comanche chiefs. Robson writes with passion the story of a white girl kidnapped by the Indians in her youth ~~ and how she transformed her ways to those of the tribe. It is a heart-warming story, one that will haunt you for the rest of your life. It also shows a softer side to the Indians that you normally won't see ~~ they're not the savages as people make them to be. I'm not saying that they're not fierce warriors ~~ they are and do practice warfare with a savergy that is different from what historians call "civilised society." But Robson shows the fierce loyalty the Comanche have for their tribe and one another ~~ and their way of life.

Pick this book up. I guarantee that you won't walk away from it without being haunted by the stories that Cynthia and her friends share with you. It is an eye-opener into the way of life then. And it is a heart-breaking story as well. Try it and see. I don't think you'll regret it.

When I was in high school, my best friend handed me a tattered, worn out copy of this book. The cover was even missing. She just looked me in the eyes and said, "Read it." I was rather turned off by how ratty the book was but I had nothing else to read so I took her advice. I wound up spending the next three days locked in my room reading non-stop. Since high school, I have re-read the book many times and each time, it's as if I'm revisiting old friends.

To put it simply, this was one of the first books that made me love reading. What stands out about Robson's writing is that everything was described so vividly. Though it can be considered a historical romance, there is nothing formulaic, a characteristic of so many other romance novels.

Lucia St.Clair Robson is a librarian. One day, she came across some information about a person named Cynthia Ann Parker and how she grew up with the Comanche Indians. The more she read about Cynthia, the more she was hooked. Finally, she decided she had to write out Cynthia's story. This book is the result. Now of course this book is a work of fiction because Robson took many liberties by filling in things that were missing from the actual historical record. Still, the fiction struck me as realistically imagined. It gave me moments of pure joy in addition to moments in which I bawled my eyes out.

As a full blooded Native American (Navajo), I really enjoyed reading "Ride The Wind". Although the Comanches were our natural enemies, I see similarities in the tradition, culture and beliefs of which many true bloods still hold high to this day. I don't remember where I got the first copy but I have purchased it many times. I just bought the hard cover for my daughter. In it I wrote..."remember the struggles of our people and live up to and be proud of your heritage". The book teaches people of the struggles of our people but they need to remember the struggle continues to this day. We are still living on third world reservations, only a few succeed in the real world. I love this book and I wish it would become a "moving picture" but with real Native Americans as the actors. This is from a Native American prespective. Be well and may you walk in beauty. beauty around us, beauty around us, beauty around us, beauty around us!

I first came across this book in my school library. It was so good that I had several late fees on it because I wouldn't turn it in until I received mine from amazon!! I have always been fascinated with Native Americans and have been to several Reservations. The best thing about this book, is it tells a wonderful (TRUE!!) history of fascinating people, the Commanches. Once you've read this book, it will stay with you forever. It makes you wish you were Cynthia Ann! Lucia describes everyone and everything in such detail. It tells of the Commanche ways. You learn a lot about their culture and religion. It has a surprising end too. It will make you laugh and cry, it will make you happy and sad. This is a must read for Indian lovers. You will fall in love with the book, just like I did.
PS. special thanks to Lucia St. Clair Robson for writing such a WONDERFUL book. I am so glad we have people like you who can write a book so beautifully!!

As a distant cousin of the Parkers, I'm pleased to endorse this splendid historical novel. The author's care to a truthful portrayal of both sides of the Comanche-White conflict in Texas is evident. The romance between Cynthia Ann/Naduah and Wanderer is of course highly entertaining, but this novel is carefully researched and also gives a fascinating look into Comanche culture and Texas pioneer life. Well worth the read!

This is without a doubt the best book I have ever read. The story of Cynthia Ann Parker is fascinating and Lucia is brilliant in her storytelling. The detail and research in her writing cannot be matched. It puts you right there in the Comanche camp. I have read it probably 20 times (the first time being about 20 yrs ago) and each time I finish I cant wait to read it again. From the very first page I was completly hooked. And I did exactly what the back of the book says. It made me laugh and especially made me cry and mourn the loss of the great Comanche Nation. The chapter where Naduah is in the tent with Molly tears my heart out everytime I read it. And when Wanderer goes to the river the night before facing Placido and remembers Naduah from the first day when he captured her is so emotional I can hardly read through my tears. Several times after I finished the book I just had to contact Lucia and tell her how moved I am each time I read it. I have always had a interest in Indian culture and anyone who has the slightest interest in Native Americans or the west should read this book. You will not be dissapointed. I have bought so many copies of this book for friends hoping that they will have the same reaction I have had. I have 2 copies that have never been open tucked away in a safe place just in case. I cannot wait til my children are old enough to read this book. I've tried to find any and all the information I can about Naduah. This is THE BEST book I have ever read. Nothing else I have ever read even comes close. I think about it for weeks after each time I finish it. If you never read another book......READ THIS BOOK......

I never enjoyed more reading a book a couple of times, than "ride the wind". You can almost sense the smell of fire, hear the deep voice of the drumms, and feel the joy and pain "naduah" and the tribe went through! A touching story about true love, nature, fate and a glorious culture, fighting for survival, in times where life still was how it was meant to be! I strongly recomment this book to everyone ,it will make you laugh as well as cry .

Nu nahnia tsa Pohya Mea Sooti Oophe... and "Ride The Wind" is the story of my g-g-g-g-grandmother, Nadua. She was married to Peta Nocona and one of their sons, Quanah Parker became a prominent leader of the Comanche nation who ended-up working in cooperation with the U.S. Government "Bureau Of Indian Affairs" to promote education among Native American peoples.
"Ride The Wind" is an incredibly fascinating read... and wrapped in a very well written mix of "immediate fiction" and historically documented FACT. It was instantly captivating for me....right from the very first page! I quite literally had to force myself to put the book down in order to accomplish my daily tasks!
If you are interested in learning more about the Comanche Nation, I strongly recommend that you get and read a copy of this book along with your other research. It will be a decision that will be well worth your efforts!

Suvate.

Sooti Oophe

This book affected me deeply. I live within close proximity of a town called Comanche, and for months after I read the book, I'd be forced to look away from the sign telling how many miles away the community is because I couldn't bear to look at the word. I had my son read the book, and I asked him what he thought about it. He replied, "I don't want to talk about it."

The work is thoroughly researched and the conflict between the Comanche tribe and those who want them removed from the plains of Texas is a heartbreaking tale. Of course, the tale revolves around Cynthia Parker and her family, both native American and Anglo, and she is portrayed in a way that will break your heart.

Ironically, one of my ancestors was on a mission with the US Army under the command of McKenzie and actually saw Quanah Parker in a battle in Palo Duro Canyon.

This is a powerful story; read it and see how you respond. I'd like to know!