One Thousand White Women : The Journals of May Dodd: A Novel

Rating:
Summary: Well Done Historical Fiction
Review: One Thousand White Women is an interesting novel in which Jim Fergus plays a little "what if" with history. In the mid-1800s, several prominent native American leaders proposed a trade--one thousand white women for brides for the native Americans in exchange for one thousand horses. As far as we know, the offer was never accepted, but Fergus takes the ball and runs with it. One Thousand White Women is the story of May Dodd, a young women from Chicago who had been institutionalized by her family for "promiscuity." She had fallen in love with a man below her station and had two children before her family caught up with her. Her participation in the "exchange" program offered her an escape from her wrongful detention. Most of the other women in the program were similarly situated--women seeking escape from mental institutions, prisons, and other undesirable situations answer the call of their government to live with the Cheyenne. May's adventure is interesting as well as heartbreaking. She is a charming narrator and her story is full of ironic humor. The writing at times can get a little clunky, but that is my only complaint about this engaging novel.

Rating:
Summary: An Extraordinary Book
Review: I just finished this book and I was actually depressed to put it down. One of the very best books I have ever read. It is a wonderful story and gives a great insight into an American Indian tribe, one I have never had before. The main character in the book, May Dodd, is an inspiration to women.