Thursday, February 5, 2015

The Last of the Mohicans

James Fenimore Cooper wrote The Last of the Mohicans in February of 1826.  This book combines the appeal of the action/ adventure with the softer aspects of love and romance.  It's an interesting combination especially considering when the book was written.   The sentence structure is beautiful, and the description is well written though sometimes laborious.

I think the interactions between Cora/ Magua and Cora/ Uncas are particularly thought provoking. Magua and Uncas are both Indians and yet Uncas is the epitome of all that is good, whereas from the very first, Magua is seen as something to be disparaged.   In the end, would a relationship between Cora and Uncas even have been acceptable?  It's intriguing that Cooper would even be asking these questions.

My favorite characters are Uncas and Hawkeye.  I loved how Cooper described Hawkeye as having an honest face.  I can remember my Dad telling me when he was little that he and his friends would play at being these characters.  I guess that's why I choose this book.  I had seen the movie with Daniel Day Lewis some time ago and loved it, but I am very glad that I read the book.  I highly recommend it.

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