Savage Country by Robert OlmsteadMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
The writing, the words, pull you into this story. I wasn’t sure I wanted to read about the slaughter of the last large buffalo herd, and yet I did and enjoyed the tale.
Michael arrives at his brother’s home just days past David’s death. His newly widowed sister-in-law Elizabeth is determined to follow her husband’s plans, to earn a big payout to get out from all the debt he accumulated. David wrote in his journal where a herd of buffalo could be found, a good camp site and already had men lined up. Elizabeth will go no matter, despite that Michael paid off all the debts, including the moneylender and now she has the paper to her land.
Undeterred Michel goes along, to keep her safe, if possible. They follow David’s journal, and all is as he wrote. Michael is a man of little words, Elizbeth seems to follow. The men join, including a preacher who seems intent on gaining her favor to marry. Along the way they pick up a few more men, or boys really. Michael seems to be the only one who knows what to do, goes out ahead with his trusty dogs and horse, to watch for dangers, or what may be head, despite his desire to not undertake this venture, as it is tempting fate, death.
While the descriptions of the harsh conditions endured, the brutal relentless killing of so many buffalo, the deaths that come, are difficult to read, yet it is the writing that keeps you going.
I received a free copy of this book at a library conference. I was not required to write a review, but felt like it and, of course, the above opinions are my own.
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