Right from the start, Newman draws a contrast between two ways of life: on the one hand are the lieutenants and cowboys and wildlife service officials who embody a distinctly Western sensibility that sees the buffalo as a nuisance to be eradicated. On the other are Native American tribesmen and women, whose “whole identity as a people is embedded in the buffalo living free.” Newman deftly establishes perspectives of each side, attentive to drifts of mind and language. The novel teems with army and Marine jargon, as well as references to Native American tribes, customs and rituals, giving the narrative a raw authenticity.
At times, the storyline can get a bit convoluted, and even far fetched. But overall, Newman exhibits a strong hold on the subject matter and a deft hand for summoning the mud and majesty of his terrain in language. His knowledge of wildlife and the terrain is clear, and lends the story robust, lived-in detail and a strong sense of verisimilitude. Lovers of wildlife and adventure stories, and those who enjoy stories of personal growth and transformation will relish this book.
Takeaway: Lovers of wildlife and adventure stories will relish this novel about the way of the buffalo.
Great for fans of: Adam Shoalts’s Alone Against the North, N. Scott Momaday’s House Made of Dawn.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: B