What are you reading?
by chuckofish
Detail from “The New Novel” by Winslow Homer
Well, having just read the first two books in the Hunger Games trilogy, the super popular young adult series, I am taking a break from Katniss and company and plunging into Drums Along the Mohawk by Walter D. Edmonds, written in 1936. Drums Along the Mohawk was on the bestseller list for two years, second only to Margaret Mitchell’s Gone with the Wind for part of that time. But why am I reading it now? you ask.
Well, I bought a nice hardback copy a few weeks ago at an estate sale, and then I watched the great John Ford movie (1939) for the umpteenth time on TCM.
It tells the story of Gil and Lana Martin, settlers in the Mohawk Valley of the New York frontier during the American Revolution who are beset by the British, Tories and Mohawk Indians. I’m not very far, but it is a good, well-written yarn. It sure beats Jonathan Franzen.
And I will get back to Katniss et al eventually. First, I would like to get my hands on a copy of Edmond’s The Matchlock Gun, about a boy in Colonial New York who defends his home against invading Indians, and for which he won the 1942 Newbury Medal. He was, it seems, a man after my own heart.
dual personalities 
Have you read Willa Cather’s My Antonia? I’m just finishing it and I think it’s great. You two might especially appreciate it, having been born and raised in the midwest (although St. Louis is quite different from the NE prairie). I think she captures the pioneer spirit really well.
Hope you are having a good summer!
I read it back in high school! I’m sure I have a copy somewhere–I’ll have to dig it up–good suggestion!
Of course you pose a ‘what are you reading?’ question as I’m working on just such a post of my own. Cool man…. and let’s be honest here, the indians in “The Matchlock Gun” are not the invaders….
And to quote Claudia Cardinale in “The Professionals”…
I love the watercolor! I’m still reading Moby-Dick — very slowly. But mostly reading work related stuff. No rest for the weary, etc… Last night I was hot and tired and watched “Troll Hunter” on netflix. It had beautiful scenery and was endearing because it was in Norwegian. I liked it.