The Last of the Mohicans

Rating:
Summary: Endurance test
Review: I would have to say that I expected more from this book than I got in the final analysis. Still, I am glad I read it. Wonder why they had to change the movie so much from the book?

And, of course, it was much too long-winded for a reader, like myself, that does not "skim".

I thought the ending was a bit too abrupt, especially when considering the marathon pace of the rest of the book. Perhaps Cooper meant this to be taken so...

Also, The insight into racism was astonishing for something that was written in the 1800's (NOT the 1500's like another reviewer mentions).

Rating:
Summary: Last of Mohicans is good but slow
Review: The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper is a narrative told in the third
person. It has many action, fighting scenes, and times when the characters do nothing.
The story follows a group of English around the wilderness while encountering many
obstacles.
The story is set during the French and Indian War in northern America. The
setting is important because the frontier gives a sense of danger to the story. Also, the
war brings an atmosphere of kill or be killed. The characters have to be careful who they
trust.
The characters in the novel are not very believable. The characters are either
totally good or totally evil, there are none in between. Cooper provides a stereotype when
portraying the Indians. The only good Indians in this story are the Mohicans which are
dying out. The rest of the Indians are portrayed as savages.
Cooper's characterization is indirect. The Characters are developed through
actions, not background. When a new character is being introduced, they are described
with out a name. Then, after they have been left out for a while, the characters are
referred to by name. This along with the fact that many characters have more than on
name often causes confusion.
The language of The Last of the Mohicans is very out dated. The book was
written in the 1500s. This makes the language very difficult. Also, this time period used
more words to explain a scene than it would today. This makes the slower scenes drag
on. The action scenes move faster but still are slow going due to language.
The Last of the Mohicans is a good book, although it is difficult to read.
Language and Cooper's style of writing make the book difficult to read, and at times
boring. Despite this, the novel was still a good book. The book is appropriate for a
person at the college level.

Rating:
Summary: a chore to read
Review: I wanted to like this book so badly, I did, but I must admit that reading it was like being dragged naked by wild horses across a rocky terrain. I've seen the movie a dozen times. Daniel Day Lewis was the essence of every woman's idea of a hero, practically dripping with romance. Granted, I knew the book would not reflect the movie perfectly, but geez louise, Hawkeye was about as romantic as a block of stale cheese in the book. He's still loyal to the Mohawks and he's still a sure shot with his rifle, but if you're looking for the "I'd-die-for-Cora-and-cut-down-anyone-in-my-way-to-save-her" Hawkeye, you ain't gonna get it in the book. The book at least doled out a little action here and there, but overall it was an endurance test to finish the book. I wouldn't recommend the book simply because you loved the movie. It's totally different, with the exception that Magua is still the quintessential evil son of a *bleep*. I'm glad I read it in terms of its value as one of the first American literary classics, but for classic entertainment in general, I'd much rather read Robert Louis Stephenson or Mark Twain. Cooper's writing comes across as choppy and rough as the lives his characters lead.

Rating:
Summary: A CLASSIC
Review: Cooper's "The Last of the Mohicans" is a classic novel that stands the test of time. The unforgettable characters, Hawkeye Uncas, Magua, and others all tie together for a climactic ending. It is sort of confusing though, and hard to follow at times. The novel like a romeo and juliet of sorts, and the romance between Uncas and Cora is a major plot line in the story. It also deals with themes of racism and Indian relations with white men. An ok book that should be read by anyone who enjoys American literature or frontier novels. In my opinion, watch the movie, it's a lot better.

Rating:
Summary: A CLASSIC
Review: Cooper's "The Last of the Mohicans" is a classic novel that stands the test of time. The unforgettable characters, Hawkeye Uncas, Magua, and others all tie together for a climactic ending. The novel is sort of a romeo and juliet of sorts, and the romance between Uncas and Cora is a major plot line in the story. It also deals with themes of racism and Indian relations with white men. A good book that should be read by anyone who enjoys American literature or frontier novels.

Rating:
Summary: An essential early American novel
Review: James Fenimore Cooper's novel "The Last of the Mohicans" (subtitled "A Narrative of 1757"), is a remarkable book for many reasons. First published in 1826, the book represents an early attempt to create substantial literary art from the material of North American history and geography. Although the book has its flaws, it is for the most part a success.

In the novel, the white woodsman Hawk-eye and his Mohican Indian comrade Chingachgook join forces to help the daughters of a white military officer through hostile territory. The story takes place in a colonial American setting marked by conflict between French and English forces -- a conflict that also involves various Indian nations.

There are a number of exciting (and often graphically violent) scenes of battle and chase. Hawk-eye, a white man who, to a large degree, rejects European-American values, is a fascinating figure -- indeed, he is one of the most enduring fictional creations in all of United States literature. Through the mouths of Hawk-eye and the various Indian characters, Cooper offers some intriguing criticisms of white culture.

As I said, the book is not without flaws. The momentum of the book lags for a brief stretch, and some of Cooper's characters (in particular, his women) at times sound a bit stereotypical. But the overall power and intelligence of Cooper's work is undeniable. Particularly impressive is his re-creation of a multilingual world of complex cultural and personal conflict. Also noteworthy is his evocation of the American landscape. A tale of death and survival, of betrayal and loyalty, and, above all, of the extraordinary bond between a white man and an Indian, "The Last of the Mohicans" is one classic that deserves to be read and reevaluated by each generation.

Rating:
Summary: The Last of The Mohicans By: James Fenimore Cooper
Review: This book is an excellent read. Anyone who enjoys stories of Indian wars will love this novel. With romance and action-packed suspense with story line fits this book perfectly. James Fenimore Cooper's does a great job with the book and entices anyone who has reads it. Hawkeye acurate aim, Chingachgook's nativity, Uncas's daring thoughts, Alice's innocence, Cora's strength in mind and spirit, and Duncan's courage and love for Alice makes the book extremely breathtaking. Magua, is the evil Huron warrior who is a great enemy. His unusual love for Cora makes him extremely eery. Maguas is determined to destroy the last of the Mohicans.

Rating:
Summary: Leatherstocking and Old Lace
Review: As a novel "The Last of the Mohicans" is hopelessly anachronistic, but as an exemplar of 19th century romanticism there are few equals - especially amongst American writers. Fenimore Cooper subscribed, lock, stock and two smoking barrels, to the great romantic themes of the Great White Man of Action, the Noble Savage, the eroticism of nature and the virtue of physical pursuit. Politically, "The Last of the Mohicans" is so closely aligned with Manifest Destiny that it became the bedside companion not only of American pioneers but also British imperialists and Russian expansionists. That said, there are thrills aplenty in the description of the Seven Years War, as fought in New York under the misnomer "French and Indian War," and pure adventure value in the actual story of Natty Bumppo's forest trek with the Munro daughters. From this, Michael Mann was able to distil a brilliant, thorougly modern film, shorn of the political incorrectitudes of the book, but nonetheless true to its essence.

Rating:
Summary: the film is better than the book...
Review: well, as I said, if you have watched the film and then read the book, you will probably be disappointed... I am not saying this is a bad book...I enjoyed reading it, but I watched the film first, so it kinda ruined my enjoyment of the book...the book itself is classic and I would reconmand you to read it. :)

Rating:
Summary: A great book, but...
Review: With the possible exception of Moby Dick, this book tested my stamina as a reader more than any other. Yes, it is a great adventure story but it is written in a convoluted prose style that was outdated in even Cooper's time. I was inspired to read this book by watching the Michael Mann film. If you go into this story expecting it to be sort of a novelization of the film, you'll probably be disappointed.