I read this book years ago - a few times - and, having just remembered it, plan to read it again very soon. It is, quite easily, one of the best books I've ever read. I'm not sure why it's not more well known, to be honest. I saw it billed in quite a few places as a "historical romance," which I don't particularly feel is completely accurate or completely fair. There is love and longing, certainly - but what life would be complete without these powerful emotions?It is a powerful historical novel, gripping and meticulously researched, following the life of this enigmatic woman from her childhood with the Shoshone in Idaho, across the West with Lewis and Clark, and beyond. Traditionally, Sacajawea is believed to have died after an illness in Missouri in 1812; however, Anna Lee Waldo chose to pursue the legend of Sacajawea's life amongst the Comanche until her death in 1884. This decision was certainly not folly on the author's part at all - readers are given a happier ending which history would have otherwise denied them, as well as a glimpse of the frontier and how it was forever changed after the Lewis & Clark Expedition. It is a brilliant novel, ten years in the making, complete with footnotes providing details and clarification about Native American customs, the Expedition, people, and places.I saw a few complaints about the historical accuracy of this novel. If you're looking for a complete, undiluted historical account of the Shoshone guide present during the Lewis and Clark Expedition, you shouldn't be looking at a book labeled quite clearly as fiction. However, if you're looking for a historically-based account of what one woman's life might have been like for her during an amazing time in this country's history, well, this is a must-read!
Wow, is this a massive read. I wouldn't recommend starting this one unless you're going to be invested in it. Waldo's book about Sacajawea attempts to tell her whole life story not just the famous expedition that Sacajawea was a part of as a young woman The style of writing is very slow and methodical. There's definitely no page turner here. The author is fond of telling you what is happening rather than letting it be revealed through dialogue. That being said, I think it was meticulously researched and painted an interesting portrait of a very volatile time for the Native Americans and the young American nation. I think for me the favorite part was just the scenes of Native American life and the sweeping changes in attitudes and relations between whites and Native Americans. My least favorite thing was the frequently silly dialogue between Lewis and Clark. I'm glad I read it, but wow was that a massive read and it took a very long time to get through it!
Do You like book Sacajawea (1984)?
Simply put, this is the most amazing story I know and the book is incredibly written. i read this very long book about 14 years ago, and I remember my mother reading it about 10 years prior to that. I still have the actual book that she and I read. It's very special to me, not just for the connection to my mother, but because the story of Sacajawea is so well depicted within it's covers. I remember laughing on one page, then sobbing to the point of having to put the book down on the next. It's depressing, enlightening, romantic, devastating, heart-warming. It's real.I cant wait to read it again and pass it down to my daughter.
—Diane Nielson
Lots of research, but simply too damn long and suffered from "author wants to put in every single thing she discovered and dramatize every little thing." It sometimes happens with these huge doorstoppers. But nice cover art by Tom Hall, as always.For the record, I made it to page 300, but it took a few weeks to even get that far. A sad rate for the time period I read it, when I was knocking off a 500 page book every 3 days (and no skimming, either). If I had to describe this book in 3 words, it would be "Molasses in January."
—Karla
It has been some time since I've read this book that I'm writing this, but I just want to say amazing. In my top 10 favorites list for sure.I have always been sort of interested in Sacajawea, but there's not MANY facts about her out there. This novel, however, really brought her to life more than anything else to me. Now I am more absorbed in her past as I was before.I will be re-reading this book. It was a fantastic read, and it really inspired me.All from Sacajawea's fictional point of view, it is easy to imagine that she was actually telling the story and events herself (even though of course she wasn't).But it does showcase her bravery, hardships, and what her life must have been like. Such a courageous woman, and truly one of the best historical mothers out there. Because we do know they indeed she led Lewis and Clark all the while with a baby on her back. Assuming how things were back in her years I'm sure she did it with very little or no complaining, and it's just an inspiring book. I felt as if I was there with her the whole entire time, and like this really WAS her life. This fictional story was just amazing. I recommend it to all.
—Tori
