Corn Maiden

Rating:
Summary: A Woman's Odyssey
Review: Just when I thought I had seen the last retelling of the Odyssey, I am moved by this extraordinary tale in Joyce Jones' first novel, Corn Maiden. Published last summer by startup Portland publisher Lean Press, to my knowledge it is also the first successful crafting of the Odyssey from a woman's point of view.
Odysseus is Ruth Kristindatter, and her quest takes her to the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State to a Native American reservation and ultimately, a burial site. Like the original epic tale and its many descendants, Corn Maiden is a transformative tale; one fraught with dangers physical, emotional, and spiritual. She must pass through many tests of her courage, including the first and most difficult (and dangerous) of any journey - the decision to embark. Once on her quest she struggles with the classic questions of middle-age: whether to stick with her chosen life-partner, whether to change her course in life, and how much change can she and is she willing to take on?

Her romance with Johnny, a significantly-younger Native American man, is the impetus for her journey. As their relationship unfolds she must challenge her assumptions about gender roles, age, culture, and even nature itself. Johnny is her boatman for the canoe ride through the waters of the River Styx (which is set somewhere near the Straits of Juan de Fuca) and leaves her alone to face the spirits of the dead in the ancient tribal burial site. When she emerges from a horrific and revealing night, she must face a real live tribal council and discovers that her role in this drama is as messenger, one that she did not willingly choose.
Joyce Jones leaves us with many questions to ponder at the close of Corn Maiden: the foremost of which is, "what else has she written that she is willing to share?"

Rating:
Summary: Great first novel!
Review: Reading Corn Maiden is like taking a deep breath of air straight off the Pacific Ocean. This is strictly a woman's book, celebrating a woman's strength and independence. I loved the steamy romance, the adventure into remote wilderness areas of the Pacific Northwest Olympic Peninsula, and the personal exploration of Pre-Columbian Northwest Indian legend and lore. Once I started this book, I found it difficult to put down. Once I finished it, I found it impossible to forget.

Rating:
Summary: Best book EVER!!!
Review: The best book I've ever read, I loved the native american folk lore and the romance, a nice change. I wonderful blend of realism and fantasy. Two thumbs way, way up!!!