Scarlet Feather [Hardcover]

Joan M. Grant (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1940 | Series: The Complete Works of Joan Grant

Criticised on publication in 1945 for its explicit violence, "Scarlet Feather" was Joan Grant's only book for adults set among the Native Americans. As with all of Grant's novels, "Scarlet Feather" conveyed a positive message within its story - that of Piyanah, a young girl who demanded new freedoms and an end to her tribe's sexual segregation and brutality. Trained and educated with the young braves, Piyanah develops strength and courage, and must overcome a series of ordeals to prove herself worthy of the Scarlet Feather, and succession as the tribal chief.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"'This remarkable novel is a triumph of imagination' - Telegraph 'In her stories of ancient Egypt Joan Grant has proved her power of historical vision and her purity of style; in this totally different medium they are as strikingly shown' Telegraph 'This is an exciting story - and a tract for the times' TLS 'As in her stories of ancient Egypt, Miss Grant paints a vivid and imaginative picture of a way of life remote in place and time... a fine romantic story, full of colour, incident, and zest' Scotsman" --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Joan Grant became aware as a child of her gift of 'far memory' - an ability to recall in detail previous incarnations, both male and female, in other centuries and other lands. The first of her 'novels', Winged Pharaoh, was in instant bestseller, and all of her seven historical novels have been highly praised for their extraordinary vividness and richly diverting detail. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 264 pages
• Publisher: Ayer Co Pub (June 1940)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0405117892
• ISBN-13: 978-0405117893
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,124,370 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars True life story - A glimpse into the life of Red Indians, January 10, 2001

By 

michelle jansen (Johannesburg, South Africa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Scarlet Feather (Paperback)

This book is easy reading and based on a true story. Remember the film "Dances with wolves"? Like the film, this book also gives a glimpse of how life was long ago in an Indian tribe.

The tribe that Piyanah, our main character, lives in, basically works as follows: it has a Chief; Elders(who give advice); Braves(who have to protect the tribe) and the women prepare food and make moccasins from animal-hides. The tribe has to move regularly to prevent attacks from other hostile tribes or to find new "places of the corn-growing". Men and women live in separate tipees, and only come together once a year at the "choosing" to do the ritual that ensures that babies will be born. Now I am not a member of the women's lib, but this sounds a bit ridiculous to me! And yet, that was perfectly normal to them. In addition, the liberal Piyanah is confronted with lots of superstitions. She has to go through a number of ordeals in order to conquer these superstitions and prove that women are not lesser souls than men.

The book describes her Piyanah's feelings and her accurate observations of nature and people. She is also in touch with her "inner voice", that guides her through difficult times.

Above all, this is a story of love. Piyanah has to learn love for herself (to be true to her heart and goals); love for the tribe and also love for Raki,the special one in her life. We can get comfort from the fact that we all experience similar feelings and go through similar ordeals. Because after all, aren't we all on this journey through life to learn about love?

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet, sweet story!, May 31, 2001

By 

jumpy1 (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Scarlet Feather (Paperback)

I loved this story. It is not heavy duty, just a very sweet, poignant story about a girl and boy that made me feel sad it had to end. It's a very quick read, not the great work that "Winged Pharoah" is, but still worth reading. Joan Grant "remembered" this life and wrote it in the form of this novel. She is a very inspired human being and her goodness comes through in every sentence.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Scarlet Feather, December 6, 2001

By 

Phoenix (Oklahoma) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Scarlet Feather (Paperback)

I am so glad a friend told me "you have to read this book".
The author weaves words like pearls in a necklace. It is written beautifully and the story pulled me in to that "far away time" to be a witness to each event. Brava!