Bone River by Megan Chance:
I know I'm in for a good read, when the first time I pick up the book I don't put it down until Chapter 6, the second time took me to 10, then 15, and today I finished it. Do I really need to say I really enjoyed it? Beautifully written, a bit historical, a bit mystery, a bit moral dilemma, and a bit of unexpected hot romance; an original story that's refreshingly unpredictable with surprising twists. Would make a great book club choice.
Rated of 5
by Harriette K. (Weston, FL)
Bone River
Leoni Russell lives in the Pacific Northwest during the mid-'80's, where she works with her husband as an ethnologist and oysterman. The work is grueling and the weather is punishing. Her father was an ethnologist as well, and, on his deathbed, made her promise to marry his partner, who is 20 years her senior. An Indian, called Uncle Tom, is very much in their lives as well as other local Native Americans. Leoni and her husband, Junius, collect artifacts and fossils from the surrounding area for shiphment to the Smithsonion Museum in Washington. Leoni finds a basket in the river which contains the mummy of a woman who appears to be ancient, and soon after, her husband's estranged son appears. Her dreams, the son's intrusion into her life and the warnings of a Native American woman lead her to question the life she has lead. There is a mystery involved and as the narrative continues, the mystery and the lives involved unravel. The author brings the narrative to an extremely exciting climax, and in the meantime, she draws her main characters fully. The story and characters kept me engrossed throughout the story, and the big question involving the moral conflict of using items found in the sacred places of other peoples opposed to using the artifacts for historical research is posed throughout the book.
Rated of 5
by Betty B. (Irving, TX)
One of My Favorite Books This Year
Once I began the prologue, I was hooked. I read page after page, and hated when I had to put it down. And then as I neared the end I felt like I didn't want it to end. In my opinion, that's a really good book. The characters are compelling, especially Leonie. The writing is beautiful and atmospheric. Throughout the book I felt as though I was there on the Querquelin River. I found the native American culture interesting and I was sad at how their culture was treated by ethnologists. And I was reminded how hard the life of a woman during this period was.
There are many wonderful themes for discussion, and I can't wait to recommend to my Book Club.
Rated of 5
by Patricia D. (Woodland Hills, CA)
Historical Fiction at its best
Here is a story in which you actually lose yourself and become one with the characters. As a reader, I floated around like the spirits Leonie dreamed about and needed to know the secrets kept by the the Leonie's father and her husband Junius. Megan Chance writes with detail and feeling and allows the reader to feel the cold of the storms and waters of the oyster beds. She has researched the time period with great precision and given her character, Leonie, the strength to fight for what she needs and wants as a woman.
This is one of those special books that tells a unique story through mystery and romance by an author who knows how to write and intrigue her readers. This will be one of my favorite books of 2012.
Rated of 5
by Joyce S. (Tyrone, GA)
A Woman's Strange Journey
A very engrossing story. I liked Leonie Russell from beginning to end and cheered her struggle to be herself and think for herself against the wishes of both her father and her husband. An inherently kind and thoughtful person it isn't always easy for her to make waves but she learns to seek her own life and happiness. Enough surprises to keep you really interested.
Rated of 5
by Joanne V. (Towanda, PA)
An Excellent Read
I really liked this book! The characters were well drawn and I could feel the atmosphere, the cold and wet and the struggles of Leonie. Even though I sort of figured out the ending, the author really made it even more compelling in the way she tied it together. I would definitely recommend this book and it would be a really interesting book group discussion.
Rated of 5
by Janice T. (Ruckersville, VA)
Unusual Story
I really enjoyed this book. It is quite different from anything that I have read. The characters are totally believable. Leonie has promised her dying father to marry his assistant, 20 years her senior. Her father has trained her as an "ethnologist", studying indian artifacts and remains in Pacific Northwest in the 1800's. She discovers an indian mummy in a basket. The mummy speaks to her in dreams. She is drawn to her and her long ago buried secrets and this changes her life forever. The story has a nice twist that I only discovered towards the end of the novel. Very enjoyable reading.
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of 5
by Darlene C. (Simpsonville, SC)
