He was your son, and a red-skin by nature; and it may be that your blood was nearer – but, if ever I forget the lad who has so often fou’t at my side in war, and slept at my side in peace, may He who made us all, whatever may be our color or our gifts, forget me! The boy has left us for a time; but, Sagamore, you are not alone. ~ Hawkeye to Chingachgook
This novel is the second in Cooper’s Leatherstockings Tales: a five-novel series on the exploits of fictional frontiersman Natty Bumpo, set in present-day central New York, mid-18th to early 19th Century. Fortunately, Bumpo is seldom called by his given name but is commonly referred to by various appellations: Pathfinder, Deerslayer, and in this story, Hawkeye or La Longue Carabine (long rifle) for his amazing skill with his rifle.
As the subtitle suggests, the book is partially historical fiction, principally about the French and Indian War.
It was in this scene of strife and bloodshed that the incidents we shall attempt to relate occurred, during the third year of the war which England and France last waged for the possession of a country that neither was destined to retain.
If you are familiar with the 1992 film…forget it. It bears little likeness to the novel. I am tempted to rant against directors and screenwriters who aspire to “improve” classic literature.
I thought I had read this once before, but I’d only seen the movie (wish I hadn’t). I have read The Deerslayer and liked it, but I thought Hawkeye was too good to be true. I found him more believable in this story, but I was lukewarm for other reasons.
Cooper paints a vivid picture. He identifies with the British via Hawkeye and his adoptive Mohican father Chingachgook and brother Uncas. But he was fair and respectful to the French and their Huron allies. He defends the honor of French Commander Montcalm, who is believed to have violated terms of a truce after the Battle of William-Henry. According to Cooper’s narrative, Montcalm was non-complicit in a band of rogue Hurons who attacked the withdrawing British formation. Neither are the Hurons portrayed as villains, but merely not obligated to terms that were negotiated without their consent nor according to their customs.
There is an individual Huron, Magua by name, who is the tale's villain, but Cooper does not paint the entire Huron Nation with a single broad brush.
Continuing with this idea of fair treatment, I like how Cooper treated the women. There are two beautiful young women, daughters of the British General. They are out of their element but not portrayed as simple, weak, or helpless, and there is no budding romance between either of them and Hawkeye. ***rolls eyes once more at Hollywood***
It's very exciting and an easy, enjoyable read. It gets a bit repetitive…captured, bold escape…captured, bold escape…etc.
The final chapter is superb though.
***SPOILER ALERT***
The villain dies; a heroine dies; a hero dies; two fathers mourn; a tribe mourns.
The sounds of the battle were over, and they had fed fat their ancient grudge, and had avenged their recent quarrel with the Mengwe…
My Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
As I’ve explained, this was my first time reading The Last of the Mohicans. Works I’ve previously read by Cooper: The Oak Openings and The Deerslayer. I must reread The Deerslayer and will probably read the complete Leatherstocking Tales.
This was my “spin book” for The Classics Club Spin #33
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This is one of my favorites. Glad you like it, many readers don't. I like Cooper's female characters on this and The Deerslayer, they are portrayed as independent and brave. Fortunately, I've never watched the movie!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite by Cooper is not well known: The Oak Openings aka The Bee Hunter. It is set in an area of Michigan where I grew up, Kalamazoo...that in the 18th century that was just the native name for the River that flows through Kalamazoo.
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