Follow the River

Rating:
Summary: The only things moving in Follow the River were bowels.
Review: I couldn't agree more with [e-mail] from Cincinnati, Ohio 6/1/99" and "A reader from New York 1/21/99" This book is fraught with rot.

Unlike the above readers, I will finish this book. Color me stubborn, just like Mary and Ghetel. I'm longing for something cerebral to appear. I don't think they've eaten brains yet, have they.

An acquaintance went reverently to her bookshelf and lifted Follow the River for me, saying it was the best book she'd ever read. As I went farther down and up that river of pain and agony, I became more sure that she was just putting me on. Then I checked into these reviews. Oh, dear -- stick a "tommyhock" into my scalp.

I promise to write again when I finally slog all the way to page 406. I'm sure enlightenment, or at least lightning and Will's hairy body, will have struck by then.

Rating:
Summary: Nothing Better!!
Review: I read this book about once a year and am humbled each time. I recommend this book to anyone with a beating heart, you will love it.

Rating:
Summary: Encouraging!
Review: I choose this book because I am researching my family's genealogy and had heard I was somehow related to Mary Draper Ingles. Was I ever surprised and encouraged by such a women. It made me realize that life's little problems are but obstacles to overcome. I think Mary Draper Ingles can give us all a little encouragement, strength and hope.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Terrific
Review: This book was given to me when I was in my middle teen years and even then I found it so completely interesting that I could not put it down. It was given to me by my grandmother and she also thought it was a wonderful story. The book is a story about a womans love for her home and her family and her struggle to keep those things together in her life. Although her and families struggles are described in great detail, the book gives enough feeling of her love for them that anyone with children can actually feel her longing to be with them and to protect them. I suggest this book to anyone who wants to read a book full of emotions such as fear, love, hate and desolation. If ever you think you have a bad time in your life, read this book and think of how bad some had to have it just to live day to day.

Rating:
Summary: Very disturbing.
Review: This book came very highly recommended. My parents grew up near the New River in WV, and I live near the Ohio in Cincinnati, so I was familiar with many of the locations described in the book. I was also familiar with the story that formed the basis of the novel; a pioneer woman, kidnapped by Shawnee Indians, escapes and in the face of tremendous hardship makes her way home. Therefore, I started it with great anticipation.

My anticipation soon changed to horror. The book was extremely graphic and filled with gruesome, gorey details, including a description of 2 men being quite literally, roasted at the stake. Mary Ingles was kidnapped with her 2 small sons and delivered another child on the way to the Shawnee village. She refused to live with a Shawnee man who wanted both her and her children, so he took only her 2 boys and she was sold into slavery. When she saw an opportunity to escape, she seized it, but chose to leave her baby with her captors.

Many of the readers who enjoyed this book, speak of her undying love for her husband, that fueled her endurance. I however, could not reconcile this love with her willingness to abandon her children. I had horrible nightmares after starting the book, and eventually put it down without finishing it; something that I have NEVER done before.

If this were required reading for any of my children, I would discuss it with them and willing support them if they chose not to read it. "Follow the River" is NOT APPROPRIATE for children younger than 13 and I would recommend that parents read this book first if they have teenagers who may want, or be required to read it. It was extremely disturbing and parental guidance is DEFINITELY indicated.

Rating:
Summary: My Fav. Book of All Time!
Review: I have never gotten so into a book. The writting was so visual it was like i could see what was going on. It was graphic but that gave the book feeling. I loved it and have never found a book that could come close to it.

Rating:
Summary: It's a wonderful book!
Review: This book was picked for our book club & it's definitely the best one we've read. It's really hard to put this book down. The things that Mary Ingles went through are unbelievable, but it's based on a true story! It's a really amazing book & I'd recommend it to anyone.

Rating:
Summary: It's a book I couldn't put down.
Review: After reading this book I haven't been able to find another book that draws me into it like this book does. I am an outdoors person so I could visualize everything that Mary was going through during her journey down the river. I am currently reading another of James Alexander Thoms books. It is hard to compare it to Follow The River. It's the first book that I've ever read three times. I've yet to find a book that compares.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: Follow The River has to be the best book I have ever read. This is a true story of survival. I grew up in the Virginia/West Virginia areas described in the book and am very familiar with the New, Kanawha, and Ohio Rivers and other surrounding areas/rivers as well. I loved following Mary's journey and refering back to the maps in the front of the book as I went. In fact, I now live on the Ohio River and was thrilled to know that Mary's journey quite possibly lead her through what is now my yard. The physical discriptions of the landscape were right on and the story of Mary's determined spirit was amazing. This is a book you can not set down. I am currently reading Panther In The Sky, also by Thom and it is excellent as well.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best books I've ever read!!
Review: This book was great. I was transported to another time and another place. I let all of my friends and family read this book and no one could put it down. This book should also be shared with movie-goers. It would make an excellent movie.