Rating: 
Summary: I tried to like this book, I wanted to like this book..
Review: but I just didn't.
How many more bad breaks can happen to one person one right after the other? Ayla became too prefect and Picture Maker(or should she be re-renamed Made a Picture?) appears to be born under a REALLY bad sign.
Then came the Christian bashing,(let's call it for what it is). Showing the almost gleeful reaction by a Christian Preacher to the cold-bloodied murder of a native, which he provoked,is a BIT over-the-top. The Christians are in one breath teaching love and in the next moment being o.k. with stealing the natives food and killing people.
Not something I care to read. I'll stick to the Gears and Sarabande and Harrison and McKee and Shuler.
Rating: 
Summary: The Queen Of Everything Reviewed By Me
Review: Honestly, the only reason that I'm even giving this book 2 stars is because I like the author's writing style. Spinka writes in such a way that her descriptions are vivid, but not too "flowery" like Jean Auel's "Earth's Children" series. Her characters are developed and likeable. I'm not sure how factually correct everything was, but I didn't notice anything glaringly incorrect in the story, and I liked the way she Spinka showed the similarities and differences between each tribe's customs and beliefs.What I didn't like was that within the first 100 pages, the plot seemed as though it was ripped right out of Auel's "Clan of the Cave Bear". I could understand if it was maybe one thing, but it seemed as though within that first part of the story, Spinka attempted to condence the 400 pages of "Cave Bear" and use it as the basis of the book. It's the story of Picture Maker, a Native American living in the Northeast US in the late 1300's, who is captured by an enemy tribe (rather like Ayla being taken in by the "flatheads"), and from there the similarities continue. I won't give them away if you want to read the story, but if I wanted to read "Cave Bear" again, I'd pull my dog-eared copy off the shelf instead of this.
Rating:
Summary: Unoriginal at best
Review: Honestly, the only reason that I'm even giving this book 2 stars is because I like the author's writing style. Spinka writes in such a way that her descriptions are vivid, but not too "flowery" like Jean Auel's "Earth's Children" series. Her characters are developed and likeable. I'm not sure how factually correct everything was, but I didn't notice anything glaringly incorrect in the story, and I liked the way she Spinka showed the similarities and differences between each tribe's customs and beliefs. What I didn't like was that within the first 100 pages, the plot seemed as though it was ripped right out of Auel's "Clan of the Cave Bear". I could understand if it was maybe one thing, but it seemed as though within that first part of the story, Spinka attempted to condence the 400 pages of "Cave Bear" and use it as the basis of the book. It's the story of Picture Maker, a Native American living in the Northeast US in the late 1300's, who is captured by an enemy tribe (rather like Ayla being taken in by the "flatheads"), and from there the similarities continue. I won't give them away if you want to read the story, but if I wanted to read "Cave Bear" again, I'd pull my dog-eared copy off the shelf instead of this.
Rating:
Summary: great book.....
Review: i found the book to be very exciting and deep. after a while you start to get attached to the characters.i am so excited to read the sequel. also you do not have to be a woman to read this book.i am a seventeen year-old teenage boy and i still found the book enchanting .if you are thinking of buying this book you should get ready to be up for many hours because you never want to put the book down. i recommend to young and old to buy this book because it is truly an interesting tale.
Rating:
Summary: This is a great book!
Review: I loved this book. It's one of my favorites. If you like a story about strong women this is it. I'm sixteen and saving all my extra money for the sequel I hear its just as good. So if your not into buying books go to the library and you'll see what I'm talking about!
Rating:
Summary: I couldn't put this book down!
Review: It took me only 4 days to read this book, during which time I was oblivious to the rest of the world. Picture Maker takes you on a facinating journey to interesting and well researched places and civilizations. I couldn't wait to see where it would go next, and what type of customs and lifestyles the people there would have. The characters are absorbing, especially Picture Maker herself. I found myself smiling and crying with her as she faced triumph and despair thoughout her travels. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel as soon as it comes out.
Rating:
Summary: Proud to be a "Native" American :)
Review: Just finished Picture Maker last night, and like other reviewers, I didn't want it to end, (I hear there is a sequel coming). I really loved the character of Picture Maker, and all of the people she came in contact with on her long journey to Greenland. The story kept going from one adventure to the next, from heartache to triumph and back again. The customs of all the native americans were fascinating, their beliefs, their values, their way of life, I especially liked learning about the Inuit.
...Just a small note...
The fable about the beginning of the the world at the beginning of the book was a favorite of my daghter's and she has asked me to tell her the story of Sky Woman every night. How simple and easy life can be when you believe in the magic of the world around you. Read this story, it is truly wonderful. Enjoy, Debbi
Rating: 
Summary: A Courageous Native Woman's Odyssey
Review: Other reviewers have given the gist of the story. The book gives some good views of non-European cultures (Mohawk, Algonquin, Inuit) in the 14th century (before European contact. Harsh, demanding environments called forth harsh behaviors to survive. Some descriptions of native behaviors may be hard to read, as well as some of the cruel treatment she (Gahrahstah) received from her captors. But the author also shows clearly how very much Native Americans loved their children and their families; indeed, their lives revolved around their families. And European-Americans even today do not understand that simple truth. It was an awesome journey that Gahrahstah (the heroine) made from her birth country to the ocean lands, then to the land of the Inuit (Eskimos), and finally to the Norse Greenlander sttlements. Talk about stretching the limits of one's ability to learn new languages, new customs, and new gods! One reviewer dismissed the book for its "Christian-bashing". Sorry, but the portrayal of Christian missionaries and priests in that time period (14th century) strikes me a pretty accurate, especially their attitudes toward "pagans" and the general Norse attitude toward "Skraelings". That's something Native Americans have had to put up with for 500 years. Shouldn't read history if you don't like what you read. The story did get a little tedious and it ran a little long. On the other hand, I was fairly glued to the book. Read it in smaller, doses, stretch out the enjoyment.
Rating:
Summary: A Courageous Native Woman's Odyssey
Review: Other reviewers have given the gist of the story. The book gives some good views of non-European cultures (Mohawk, Algonquin, Inuit) in the 14th century (before European contact. Harsh, demanding environments called forth harsh behaviors to survive. Some descriptions of native behaviors may be hard to read, as well as some of the cruel treatment she (Gahrahstah) received from her captors. But the author also shows clearly how very much Native Americans loved their children and their families; indeed, their lives revolved around their families. And European-Americans even today do not understand that simple truth. It was an awesome journey that Gahrahstah (the heroine) made from her birth country to the ocean lands, then to the land of the Inuit (Eskimos), and finally to the Norse Greenlander sttlements. Talk about stretching the limits of one's ability to learn new languages, new customs, and new gods! One reviewer dismissed the book for its "Christian-bashing". Sorry, but the portrayal of Christian missionaries and priests in that time period (14th century) strikes me a pretty accurate, especially their attitudes toward "pagans" and the general Norse attitude toward "Skraelings". That's something Native Americans have had to put up with for 500 years. Shouldn't read history if you don't like what you read. The story did get a little tedious and it ran a little long. On the other hand, I was fairly glued to the book. Read it in smaller, doses, stretch out the enjoyment.
Rating:
Summary: Painting a Picture
Review: Picture Maker chronicles the 14th century epic adventures of Gahrahstah, "picture maker", granddaughter of the Ganeogaona Wolf Clan Mother. Spinka does a wonderful job of paralleling the personal journey and growth of her courageous, young heroine with her physical sojourns. The historical examination and comparison of the different cultures that Gahrahstah encounters is fascinating. Through the eyes of Spinka's heroine, we see various communal ways of living as well as the more isolated Nordic lifestyle. We are exposed to the harshness of a small ice age that ravaged the northern lands and drastically changed hunting patterns. We see how the clash of Christianity and the old religions not only affected ideology, but day-to-day life. And, how the rapid spread of plagues corrupted traditions and long held beliefs. Through all these changes, Gharahstah struggles to remain true to herself and her clan. She travels from tribes that honor women, to ones that devalue them. She struggles through a very trying adolescence and is shunned for her picture making abilities relying on her spirit guides and her special gift of vision for guidance. This book is not a fast read, but an interesting one. Her sequel to this book is eagerly awaited.
| 
