Who Would Like This Book:
If you love lush, atmospheric writing that transports you to another era, "Thirteen Moons" is a great pick. Frazier’s prose brings the Appalachian mountains and Cherokee Nation to vivid life, and Will Patton’s narration on the audiobook adds an extra dimension. The story’s historical setting is fascinating - rich in detail about pre–Civil War America, Native American culture, and the transformation of the land. Fans of epic coming-of-age sagas, nuanced character studies, or anyone who enjoyed "Cold Mountain" (or just enjoys getting lost in beautifully crafted sentences) will likely find this book deeply rewarding.
Who May Not Like This Book:
If you’re impatient with leisurely, descriptive storytelling or prefer fast-paced action, this might not be your cup of tea. Some readers found the plot meandering or even a slog in the latter half, and a few felt the characters - particularly the love interest, Claire - were hard to connect with. If you want historical fiction that keeps the pedal to the floor or delivers clear resolutions and motivations, you might find "Thirteen Moons" a bit slow or emotionally distant.
About:
"Thirteen Moons" by Charles Frazier is a historical novel that follows the life of Will Cooper, who starts as a bound boy running a trading post in Indian territory and eventually becomes a spokesman for the Cherokee tribe. The story covers Will's growth from childhood to old age, highlighting his interactions with Native Americans, settlers, and historical figures. Frazier's descriptive imagery and poetic writing style bring to life the landscapes, cultures, and events of 19th-century North Carolina, creating a rich narrative filled with adventure, love, and sacrifice.
The narrative is predominantly told from Will Cooper's perspective, offering a retrospective account of his experiences and relationships throughout his life. The book delves into themes of identity, love, loss, and the clash of cultures, portraying a vivid picture of the complexities and challenges faced by individuals living in a rapidly changing world. Through Will's journey, readers are immersed in a tale that combines historical accuracy with emotional depth, inviting them to reflect on the human condition and the enduring impact of personal connections.
Genres:
Tropes/Plot Devices:
Topics:
Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
There are themes of racial conflict, historical trauma, and ambiguities surrounding relationships that may trigger some readers.
Has Romance?
There is a consistent love story that is pivotal to the character's emotional journey, but it can feel unresolved.
From The Publisher:
At the age of twelve, an orphan named Will Cooper is given a horse, a key, and a map and is sent on a journey through the uncharted wilderness of the Cherokee Nation. Will is a bound boy, obliged to run a remote Indian trading post. As he fulfills his lonesome duty, Will finds a father in Bear, a Cherokee chief, and is adopted by him and his people, developing relationships that ultimately forge Will's character. All the while, his love of Claire, the enigmatic and captivating charge of volatile and powerful Featherstone, will forever rule Will's heart. In a voice filled with both humor and yearning, Will tells of a lifelong search for home, the hunger for fortune and adventure, the rebuilding of a trampled culture, and above all an enduring pursuit of passion.
Named ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR by
Los Angeles Times Book Review, Chicago Tribune,
and St. Louis Post-Dispatch
"A literary journey of magnitude . . . Thirteen Moons belongs to the ages."
-Los Angeles Times
"A boisterous, confident novel that draws from the epic tradition: It tips its hat to Don Quixote as well as Twain and Melville, and it boldly sets out to capture a broad swatch of America's story in the mid-nineteenth century."
-The Boston Globe
"Frazier works on an epic scale, but his genius is in the details-he has a scholar's command of the physical realities of early America and a novelist's gift for bringing them to life."
-Time
"A powerhouse second act . . . a brilliant success."
-The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"Compulsively readable . . . a fitting successor to Cold Mountain."
-St. Louis Post-Dispatch
"Magical . . . fascinating and moving . . . You will find much to admire and savor in Thirteen Moons."
-USA Today
"Genius."
-Time
"Mesmerizing . . . a bountiful literary panorama . . . The history that Frazier hauntingly unwinds through Will is as melodic as it is melancholy, but the sublime love story is the narrative's true heart."
-Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Brimming with vivid, adventurous incident."
-Raleigh News & Observer
"Reading a Frazier novel is like listening to a fine symphony. . . . Take the time to savor Frazier's work, to take in each thought, to relish the turn of phrase or the imagery of a craftsman."
-The Denver Post
"[Four stars] . . . Commanding . . . Frazier's faithful will not be disappointed."
-People
"Superbly entertaining."
-Richmond Times-Dispatch
"Fascinating . . . vivid and alive."
-Newsweek
Ratings (3)
Loved It (1) | |
Liked It (1) | |
It Was OK (1) |
Reader Stats (9):
Read It (3) | |
Want To Read (6) |
1 comment(s)
frazier writes solid prose and takes a long view of his characters' lives, to go along with the endless vistas of his settings in the appalachian mountains
but this book is a little too white savior for me
a young orphan is sold as a sort of indentured servant to work at a trading post in indian country, pre-trail of tears
he is adopted by the locals, becomes one of them, and proceeds to save their land by any means necessary
also he falls in love with another man's wife, who won't let herself be with him because tragic love?
also there's a duel
it's a lot
i liked it, but not sure i would go onto his other works
What can you read after
Thirteen Moons?
About the Author:
Charles Frazier grew up in the mountains of North Carolina. Cold Mountain, his highly acclaimed first novel, was an international bestseller and won the National Book Award in 1997. His second novel, Thirteen Moons, was a New York Times bestseller…
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.
