The Light in the Forest

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Summary: There's a light in the forest . . .
Review: This story is about a boy who lives with his Indian father and has to go back to his white father at the age of 15. The difference between his Indian father and his white father is that his Indian father lives out in the wilderness and hunts for his food, and his white father lives in a house with beds and rooms and buys his food at the store. True Son (or Johnny, as his white family calls him) doesn't really want to go to his white father because he's used to sleeping outside on the hard ground and hunting. Because of all this, I really felt sorry for him because of all the changes that came into his life as a kid. I really thought this was a good story and it would be good for you, too.

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Summary: Captive in a white man's world.
Review: The Light in the Forest is about a young and strong-hearted boy, True Son, who will fight for his life as an Indian. He is torn between his love for his Indian family and his blood ties with the white men. When he is forced to live with the white people and leave his beloved Indian family it seems as though his whole world is crashing down around him, while he grasps at the small pieces and tries to hold all that is dear to him together. Living with the white people is like tearing his heart out, and his white family watches as it begins to slow for there is no more joy in the world to keep it beating. As the days pass his small body wilts like a flower in the winter that does not have the sun to keep is petals full of life. He could not bear to live as a captive of his own life, his wild spirit suffocating. This book uses great detail in expressing the character's feeling and I felt as though I were there, feeling True Son's pain, understanding how each breath he took was like sucking poison into his lungs. As I finished the story the ending troubled me at first. Then I read it again and realized it was a fitting ending. I now understand why the author ended the book this way. The author is simply laying down the truth. Conrad Richter didn't write what the reader wanted to hear; he wrote the truth about the course of life no matter how harsh and bitter it sounded. Life does not always end up how you want it to; you have to play the hand you're dealt. I recommend this book because it really gives you a different outlook on life.

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Summary: Very boring and confusing
Review: This book was boring and confusing and dragged on. In the begginning you don't have clue one what is going on because it flips points of view between True Son and a soldier. When he is at his families home, the book just drags on. The ending was so predictible too. So I really don't reccommend this title.

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Summary: If you understand it, it's legendary!!
Review: When I had to read this book for English, it looked incredibly boring and pointless. But when I read it I was instantly hooked. The characters were all very interesting, and you could have a clear picture of every chapter in your mind. At first I didn't like True Son, but as the book went on I started to respect what he was feeling and the ways of the Native Americans really stuck in. It gave me a whole different view on how we live today. As another reader said, a dictionary is helpful, but if you understand this book then it is a worthwhile read. I've always loved historical fiction, so that added to my liking of it. I would definitely recommend this book!!

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Summary: The Light in the Forest-A good, well written book
Review: I had to read The Light in the Forest for a 7th Grade language arts assignment. Some (not all) of the other kids in the class thought it was a, boring book, but I enjoyed it. It has an interesting plotline, even though a dictionary can be helpful! I liked reading about True Son's struggle to return to his adopted native parents, and his feelings about the white man. The Light in the Forest is a wonderful and well written book, and I thouroughly enjoyed it.---Written by a 7th Grader

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Summary: What I think about this book
Review: I think that the book was a good book (exept for the scalping). It was very interesting. It had lots of Information about how the indians lived and what they had to do or be forced to do to please the white people

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Summary: Is" The Light In The Forest a good book"?
Review: I didn't think it was a good book at all. It was really boring, and didn't make since at all. Every paragraph it was like it skipped to a differant chapter.

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Summary: Is Light in the Forest a good book
Review: It was no action in the book or excitement in it.But when you get reading it gets a little good.

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Summary: Stirring, heart-breaking epic adventure
Review: Written 50 years ago, award winning author Conrad Richter's THE LIGHT in the FOREST is an exciting history-based adventure that informs and provokes as great literature It is the story of John Cameron Butler raised...by circumstance of Colonial-Indian Wars and Indian custom...TRUE SON, child of Delaware Indian Cuyloga, a chief and warrior leader. New circumstances require TRUE SON to be repatriated to his English settler relatives. Herein is the source of conflict that Richter masterfully employs to plot a stirring, ultimately heart-breaking, epic that examines the clash of cultures; their mutual...even violent...prejudices...and the destructive consequences upon the young. Written well-before the tenets of Political Correctness or historical revisionism (current phase) could distort TRUTH into the tool of an ideological agenda, "simple" episodes...about clothes; food; and recreation... yield to profound discussions about the nature of work; religious belief; justice, and finally what it it is that constitutes a SOCIETY and nation:... WHAT It Is To Be a Man Or Woman Within Human Community.... THE LIGHT IN THE FOREST is a mere 120 pp. Yet, the story of John Cameron/True Son and his ordeal...trials inflicted and self-inflicted...provides illuminating insight into human nature, character, the values of honor and courage, that could not be gleaned from thousands of pages of scholarly or topical "history", psychology, or "adult" biography. Richter's ability to render TRAGEDY without rancor or political/cultural condescension is...again...testimony to his craft as story teller and artist. I've scanned reviews of young readers who obviously do not share my assessment of the book. I simply propose that you give THE LIGHT IN THE FOREST a try. It is a story of youth challenged to QUEST for manhood in goodness and integrity. Richter does not offer easy answers. But unlike some authors (Robert Cormier is an example), he does offer HOPE. This is worthy of the author and worthy of any reader's...young or old...effort and respect.

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Summary: Yuck!!!!!!!
Review: This book was one of the worst books I have ever read! I had to read it for English class in eighth grade. If it wasn't assigned literature in most places, no one would ever read this book. It was incredibly stupid and boring. It was hard for me to read because it was so BORING! I almost fell asleep reading it. The ending was horrible, too. If you really want to read this book, then feel free, but if you're looking for recommendations, you won't get one from me. If you're really into historical fiction only because of the history in it, then this book is for you, but that's not how I am. All in all, for me this book was one of the biggest wastes of my time and I do NOT recommend it to anybody.