She was almost raped, but Wanderer prevented it. Cynthia was 9 years old when she was taken as a captive by Wanderer who was 16. The few that were unfortunate enough to be taken captive are then repeatedly gang raped, burned and abused. Gang raping, scalping, killing, trampling kids with horses for fun, etc. The beginning depicts, in graphic detail, a large group of American Indians attacking a Fort. Thought this was a romance, but it most definitely is NOT. This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. Bonus: you can visit Old Fort Parker near Mexia, an authentic recreation of the original frontier settlement, and Palo Duro Canyon, the “Grand Canyon of Texas” so memorably described in the last chapters of the book. It made the “best-loved books” list for both myself and my 97-year-old grandmother, and will be a favorite for readers who love adventure, history, romance, and Comanche Indian culture. The novel sticks with the true story, and it ends in heartbreak, but it is truly a captivating, haunting glimpse into Texas history.
JAMES GANG RIDE THE WIND FREE
Cynthia, renamed “Naduah,” (sometimes translated as “keeps warm with us”), is assimilated completely into the tribe, marrying a respected warrior and eventually giving birth to Quanah Parker, the last free war chief of the Comanches. I was stunned by my change in perspective – at the beginning, I was horrified by the savagery of the Indians by the end, I was furious with the savagery and ignorance of the Whites. Do not be fooled! Ride the Wind is based on the true story of Cynthia Ann Parker, who was kidnapped in 1836 during a brutal raid by the Comanche Indians, then adopted and raised by the tribe. Many of the paperback covers make this book look like a cheesy western romance novel. I was stunned by my change in perspective – at the beginning, I was horrified by the savagery of the Indians by the end, I was furious with the savagery and ignorance of t A CAPTIVATING, HAUNTING GLIMPSE INTO TEXAS HISTORY I'm not saying that as a fault of the book-it is what actually happened.Īnyway, even after having my heart broken at the end.I have to say it was worth it, this is a BEAUTIFULLY written story, and I will undoubtedly be picking it up again someday.moreĪ CAPTIVATING, HAUNTING GLIMPSE INTO TEXAS HISTORY Many of the paperback covers make this book look like a cheesy western romance novel. Going into a book about the Indians' dying way of live will of course be sad, but the utter hopelessness and heartbreak of this ending left me upset and even vaguely unsatisfied. It was kinda surreal reading it, because the story of Quanah Parker is pretty well known to me, I learned about him in various Oklahoma history classes growing up, and the mall I grew up going to is even in the city Cynthia Ann and Quanah are buried, and the mall is on the Quanah Parker by-pass. For the past three days, I have been hard put to set this down, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. First it will make you sick, then make you mad, then you will fall in love.then you will repeatedly feel like you've been run over by tanks. It was kinda surreal reading it, because the story of Quanah Parker is pretty well known to me, I learned about him in v This book was recommended by a good friend of mine, and she hasn't steered me wrong yet. This book was recommended by a good friend of mine, and she hasn't steered me wrong yet.