Ratings27
Average rating4.1
FINALIST FOR THE PULITZER PRIZE FINALIST FOR THE PEN/FAULKNER AWARD WINNER OF THE WHITING AWARD WINNER OF THE SAROYAN INTERNATIONAL PRIZE FOR WRITING WINNTER OF THE VCU CABELL FIRST NOVELIST AWARD WINNER OF THE NEW AMERICAN VOICES AWARD A PUBLISHERS WEEKLY TOP 10 BOOK OF THE YEAR The first novel by the Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Trust, an exquisite and blisteringly intelligent story of a young Swedish boy, separated from his brother, who becomes a legend and an outlaw A young Swedish immigrant finds himself penniless and alone in California. The boy travels east in search of his brother, moving on foot against the great current of emigrants pushing west. Driven back again and again, he meets criminals, naturalists, religious fanatics, swindlers, American Indians, and lawmen, and his exploits turn him into a legend. Diaz defies the conventions of historical fiction and genre, offering a probing look at the stereotypes that populate our past and a portrait of radical foreignness.
Reviews with the most likes.
“Through countless frosts and thaws, he walked in circles wider than nations.”
I'm not a big western fan. But this book transcends its genre and somehow touches on the past, present and future. It's a coming of age for a whole continent. There is so much wealth of knowledge - I found myself saving all the gems that Haka shared as he crossed the world. Couldn't put this book down.
Great story, and an easy flowing read. The story kept me wanting to turn the page. However, in a couple chapters, a bit superfluous in its wording.