13 Moons Echoes Cold Mountain
Charles Frazier Writes Another Classic American Tale
Award-winning Charles Frazier writes purely epic novels about the American South with a unique voice.
Thirteen Moons is Charles Frazier's second novel and it's mythic qualities are as strong as the epic Cold Mountain. As he showed in Cold Mountain, (National Book Award, 1997), Frazier writes the history of the southern American landscape like no one else. His novels include three classic elements: a singular character with an intense love relationship, changing landscapes, and long journeys.
Cold Mountain recounted a Civil War deserter's return to his homeland. Frazier uses the same technique in Thirteen Moons to examine another unflattering time period in American history: the Indian Removal policies of the late 1800s. As in his first novel, Frazier tells the larger story through one man's life. Thanks to his marvelous ability to develop and sustain a realistic character, the first person voice works as well as it did in Cold Mountain.
In Thirteen Moons, readers meet another rare man, Will Cooper, an orphan who becomes the "White Chief" of the Cherokee Nation. This story traces a century of unparalleled change during which America began its shift from a largely agrarian nation to an industrial one. And, seeing it from the perspective of those who were literally removed to make room for this change - the Native Americans - is peculiarly relevant as we struggle with our immigrant heritage.
The Land
Character may be Frazier's forte, but writing about land and altered landscapes is another of his gifts. Surely, his depth of knowledge and understanding of Southern Appalachia is unmatched, as is his ability to take readers to a specific place and time via words. Although some may find his rich descriptions distracting, you will undoubtedly find yourself re-reading passages for their sheer beauty.
Frazier's words give readers an intimate understanding of the Native American's relationship with the land and its inhabitants. Finally, we can begin to empathize with their need to honor the land and wildlife - another relevant issue for today's society.
Frazier's writing has been compared to authors like William Faulkner and James Fenimore Cooper. These are apt comparisons, both positively and negatively. Modern readers may balk at their wordiness, but mustn't abandon these extraordinary tales, for their lessons are eternal. No doubt, Charles Frazier will be sharing space with Faulkner and Cooper on any required reading list worth considering.
You can learn more about Charles Frazier and his characters at www.bookbrowse.com and Entertainment Weekly, www.ew.com. You can also view an interview from 1997 with the author about Cold Mountain at www.pbs.org/newshour.
