Black Robe: A Novel

Rating:
Summary: Tough, Gripping, Engrossing and Painful -- Not for Everyone
Review: While I found this a highly engrossing novel, its definitley not for everyone. The historical relevance of the fictional subject cannot be denied - and is painful to read. Having a long amature interest in native American culture, I was not aware of the very rough speech and lack of inhibition on sexual matters of the eastern woodlands tribes. In his writing, Moore holds little back - and the effect to our western minds is to feel the same culture shock experienced by the French Jesuits. This can be very uncomfortable - and at times (in my opinion) Moore may go somewhat overboard - but the best analogy I can give is a comparision to the graphic content in "Passion of the Christ" -- its not exploitive, but high accurate, graphic and serves to both shock and transport you to the time and place.

What I particularly liked about the novel was the sense of discovery, and the forced assement of core belief it inspired. In casting no value judgement in either direction (Native/Christian) -- it enables the modern person to understand better the depth of the clash, and how in the missionaries pre-judgement of the "savages," they woefully malpracticed their well meaning evangelism. This is a completely non-PC book which renders all as real people -- the good and the bad. History and and very human drama.