About book Drums Of Change: The Story Of Running Fawn (1996)
I really enjoyed the pace. It wasn't too fast or slow. While most stories have a lot of detail and interaction with characters, this one simply brushed over everything. It wasn't a rushed pace, it was more to cover many years in 233 pages. As a result, you don't get to delve very far into the characters' every day life or interactions with others. I had a very vague idea of Running Fawn's life. As for Running Fawn herself, I really liked her. I can relate a lot to her love of nature and her idealization of her winter home. She clung to the old ways and despised change. It was how she understood herself and the world. Any idea opposing her view was a threat to her very self. I can understand that. The romance in this book is not very pronounced. Silver Fox and Running Fawn do not seem to be very affectionate. They are very straightforward and have no sense of flirting or subtext. As a result, you get a very honest, very trusting relationship. They are both honorable people and go by the rules they have grown up in. This definitely shows in their courtship. The main focus of the book is to show the struggle of the Blackfoot tribe to survive. Their old ways were being ruined by the arrival of the British who wanted to "settle" the land. We follow them as their source of food, buffalo, dwindle, as they sign treaties, as they sicken, as they pass away, and as they finally give in and move to reserve land. All of this is told from Running Fawn's perspective. She provides a probably common view of the Native Americans; that of feeling threatened and afraid of change.
Thoughts on the entire series.Overall, Women of the West is my favorite series (that I’ve read so far) by Oke, where I really reveled in what the author had to bring in all of her sweet, warm, and simplistic glory. However, the books aren’t only warm fuzzies, as Oke does deal with some tough, and even some potentially controversial, issues, giving the reader some points to chew on but doing it in her warm style.I’ve read most of the books in the series more than once (maybe even three times, with The Measure of a Heart), and while not each of them are individual favorites of mine, the series as a whole took me places I’m so grateful to have gone.
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Running Fawn is a young girl in a changing Indian tribe. She loves the ways of her people and doesn't understand why any of their ways need altering. But the white man and the loss of the buffalo mean that if her tribe doesn't adjust, they will die. Running Fawn understands this, but it is so hard to change.This book was a surprise for me. I was reluctant to read it, but it was given to me as a gift by someone who thought I would like it. So I went into the book thinking I was not going to enjoy it, and I was pleasantly surprised.The best thing about this book was the character of Running Fawn. She is a wonderful character. She intrinsically seems to know that sacrifice is an important part of being in a community and that sometimes, other people's happiness matters more than your own. I enjoyed what she was willing to give for others. However, I never have understood the type of person who can keep their tongue virtually always. I guess that is something I need to work on;) The writing was a bit on the simplistic side, but not overly so. One theme I did not like, however, was the love aspect of the book. There was no development of attachment between the characters, and yet they were in love. I just wasn't buying the story.
—Becky
