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Title: The Last of the Mohicans
Author: James Fenimore Cooper
Illustrator: Patrick Prugne
Series: The Leatherstocking Tales
Series Number: #2
Genre: Classic
Audience: Adult
Format: Hardcover
Content Warning: Racism
My Review:
I added this to a list of classics that I’d like to read someday because the movie starring Daniel Day-Lewis was filmed around Western North Carolina, where I live, and parts were even filmed within a few miles of my parents’ house. My husband and I are currently traveling around the country with his job, so when I realized the book actually takes place around Lake George, New York, only about an hour away from where we are this summer, I knew the time had come to tackle it.
The book was a little bit of a slog but that’s partly on me. I can only remember one scene from the movie and it’s a sad one. I don’t particularly like sad books so I kept avoiding it. The writing is also an odd mix of a lot of action buried under very dense sentence structure. I had to take my time wading through each sentence to figure out what exactly was going on. I’m generally a fast reader and have a hard time slowing myself down for this kind of book. I start to get resentful that it’s taking me so long to read the darn thing!
My husband and I finally went up to visit Lake George about the time I was reaching the last few chapters and it’s a beautiful place. Fort William Henry, where some pivotal action takes place, was rebuilt in the 1950s so we toured it. I enjoyed seeing the real life place where the fictional book was set. It really added to my experience.
The book was written in 1826 and the language and treatment of the Native American characters reflects that. It wasn’t as bad as I expected but as a White woman, I don’t know if I’m the best judge. Among the occasional derogatory remarks and stereotypical “silly superstitions,” there is some true depth to the Native American characters. Their dwindling populations and lands are treated with a degree of poignancy, in my opinion. For what that’s worth.
The edition I checked out of the library is beautifully illustrated with watercolors by Patrick Prugne. It’s a gorgeous book.
I liked reading about America in the pre-Revolutionary years, a time I know little about. If the historical period interests you, this is definitely worth a read.
My Synopsis:
In 1757, during the French and Indian War, Cora and Alice Munro are traveling to meet their father, who is currently in command of Fort William Henry. Major Duncan Heyward is escorting them, along with their Native American guide, Magua. The deeper the group journeys into the wilderness, the more they begin to suspect that Magua is steering them wrong. Fortunately, they stumble upon Hawkeye, a scout, and his Mohican companions, Chingachgook and Uncas. When the new group points out that Magua has indeed betrayed the ladies, Magua escapes into the woods, rounds up reinforcements, and persistently hunts his erstwhile companions.
Similar Books:
If you liked The Last of the Mohicans, you might also like my reviews of
- Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurty
- The Scarlet Pimpernel by Emmuska Orczy
- The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
Reading Challenge:
Purchase:
Buy The Last of the Mohicans from Malaprop’s Bookstore in beautiful Asheville, NC or
2 Comments
I am not a big classics reader and this one isn’t one I’ve considered reading. However, Daniel Day Lewis is incredible so maybe the movie is a better idea for me. How fun that it was filmed near by
It’s one of my father-in-law’s favorite movies and he’s a huge movie fan. And since he’s in Florida (not NY or NC), the filming location doesn’t influence him.