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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.
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Summary: Why "Picture Maker"?
Review: The author had a good concept in the beginning, but I think failed to incorporate the protagonist's "picture-making" skills during the climax points in the story. Ms. Spinka's set-up hinted that Picture-Maker's artistic skills would be an intregral part of the story line. Also, Picture Maker's time with the Naskapi seems inconsequential and not essential to the story, and her winding up with the Norseman didn't fit. I also think the author did some editorialzing of Christianity by villianizing the Norse priests in the manner that she did.
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Summary: Why "Picture Maker"?
Review: The author had a good concept in the beginning, but I think failed to incorporate the protagonist's "picture-making" skills during the climax points in the story. Ms. Spinka's set-up hinted that Picture-Maker's artistic skills would be an intregral part of the story line. Also, Picture Maker's time with the Naskapi seems inconsequential and not essential to the story, and her winding up with the Norseman didn't fit. I also think the author did some editorialzing of Christianity by villianizing the Norse priests in the manner that she did.
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Summary: The Queen Of Everything Reviewed By Me
Review: The Queen Of Everthing was a great book that showed some of the hardships that one has to go through in life. You can get a lot out of this book if you go searching for it. Read and see where your imagination takes you.!.
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Summary: Picture Maker, the Movie-to-be
Review: This colorful, detailed, adventure story will make you cheer and cry and think ... and more. With its carefully researched, rich, historical background, one can see and feel the 14th century from a female native American's point of view. It would make a marvelous movie. The book accelerates whilst the reader assimilates. The author, Penina Spinka, has a refreshing style. Readers will find it difficult to lay aside long enough to eat or sleep. A future best seller.
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Summary: "Walk in another's moccasins" with this fascinating Odyssey!
Review: This is a fascinating study of Northeastern Native American culture during the 14th-15th centuries A.D.. In this coming-of-age tale, Picture Maker, a young Iroquois girl experiences Algonquin, Naskapi, and Inuit culture first hand before she discovers her ultimate destiny in Greenland. Into this fascinating and romantic tale, Ms. Spinka intricately weaves the cultural traditions of each group of Native Americans as well as the history of the Norse in Greenland (as a matter of fact, the description of the Norse in Greenland has inspired me to eventually read Jane Smiley's THE GREENLANDERS, as discussed by Ms. Spinka in the "Author's Notes"). She capably shows the social and religious differences - both the good and the bad - of all the cultures discussed and truly makes the reader understand what it is like to "walk in another person's moccasins". This book is wonderful for gaining a deeper sense of cultural understanding and tolerance - I think older adolescents would enjoy this book as well as adult readers! ...And I am really looking forward to reading the sequal DREAM WEAVER to discover the pictures that daughter Ingrid "draws" for herself.
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Summary: Picture Maker
Review: This is an excellent book. I recommed to everyone. This is the kind of book in which someone who normally wouldn't read it, will love it! It is truly a treat to read.
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Summary: On of the best books I've read in a long time
Review: With so many hasty, poorly developed, thrown-together novels out there, this one clearly stands out. The author seems to have devoted much time, research, effort, and talent into this book. This story has it all...adventure, tragedy, heartbreak, triumph, and love, each coming at the right time in the right dose. I was impressed with the author's knowledge of Native American history, and how she made a very complex story easy and enjoyable to read. I had a hard time putting this one down, and I didn't want it to end! I would definitely recommend this one.
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