We have just returned home after a week on holiday in Bodrum, Turkey. A week in the sun, lounging by the pool, summoning the waiter to order drinks, rousing ourselves in the evenings to visit local restaurants. Marvellous.
Whilst lounging, I read a couple of books. First "A Scanner Darkly", sci-fi from Philip K Dick.
The second book was the novel above, "The Orenda" by Joseph Boyden. I read about this book on TMP where it was recommended by several contributors. The novel is set in the New World of the 1640's. The three main characters telling the story are a Huron warrior and leader, his captive an Iroquois girl and a Jesuit missionary. The Huron Nation formed an alliance with French colonists from Kebec (Quebec). They struggled with the Iroquois, with disease and crop blight, and with the spreading European influence. The writing is very graphic and brutal at times, but necessary to the story.
Historical fiction is not something I read very often but I am very glad I chose this book. Now - would it make a good film? Hmmm, something to ponder.
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