Customer Reviews

Scarlet Plume

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
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Although the time prohibited a romance between an American Indian and a white woman, the author made the concept believable and sympathetic. Well written with graphic descriptions. A real page-turner.

This historical novel centers on the relationship between white settlers in the West and Indians during the period of the Civil War. The book opens with a horrific massacre. Manfred is extremely descriptive of the violence and, if once was not enough, he returns to it again and again throughout the book.

The opening massacre, and the behavior of various individuals, shapes the story. Scarlet Plume emerges as a one-dimensional heroic character; the one good Indian trying to help Judith, the beautiful white woman, who has been kidnapped by his tribe.

The plot weakens the novel. Judith, who escapes from her slavery with the Indians, longing for her home in Minnesota, ends up romanticizing about the tribe's good qualities and disdainful of her white race. During her journey away from them, she even dresses in settler's clothing she finds in an abandoned cabin, missing her home and all its "civilized" furnishings.

Judith's change occurs because of her relationship Scarlet Plume. Just as Manfred was obsessed with the violence, he seems equally obsessed with describing Scarlet Plume's "phallus" which turns up throughout the book. By the end we are to believe that Judith has forgotten all the horrors and losses she witnessed (and escaped from) and wants to return and live as a squaw.

This was without a doubt the best book I've ever read. I could not put this book down and read it in one day. The book is very descriptive and well written. I highly recommend this book.

I first read this book a number of years ago. I've re-read it now, about five times. It never fails to break my heart.

I have been reading loads of books on Indians and whites. Lots of them I enjoy. This one I could not put down. I ordered all of Manfred's other books - those that I could - since they are hard to get. You will not regret this book. I recommend it highly! And actually, I hate this day and age --- I would have been much happier as Judith. Carol King - not the singer - East Fallowfield, Pa.

I received the book promptly and the condition was what was described. I read the book which I thouroughly enjoyed....