Interesting novella which spells out the trials and tribulations of land claimers caught within the beauty and the harshness of the Dakota.
Garland's outpouring of the difficult and lonely life of the "squatter" culminates in a a prosaic understanding as to the outcome of unfaithful behaviour by a wife and the treacherous behaviour of a neighbour.
Western love story with strong current themes around the diversification of peoples and control over the land. Garland creates a character in Captain Curtis who is much advanced for his time insofar that being a soldier and having taken part in the "Indian Wars" Curtis is however a friend of the Indians and will suffer loss of life in order to support the peoples whom he loves.
Some continuity issues - for example Captain Curtis is promoted to Major early in the book but is still referred to at times as Captain and then as Major from time to time. With shades of the movie "Dances With Wolves" as an undercurrent this book is well worth the read.
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Garland's outpouring of the difficult and lonely life of the "squatter" culminates in a a prosaic understanding as to the outcome of unfaithful behaviour by a wife and the treacherous behaviour of a neighbour.
Some continuity issues - for example Captain Curtis is promoted to Major early in the book but is still referred to at times as Captain and then as Major from time to time. With shades of the movie "Dances With Wolves" as an undercurrent this book is well worth the read.