This Tender Land
Love is what makes a tender land — people and nature, not perfect, but full of what binds us all together. This is the essence behind and throughout this tough, at times both beautiful and ugly, ever-evolving account of four orphans. They are two brothers, a mute Sioux teenager, and a little girl, Emmy, who suffers convulsive fits which give her the ability to see into the past and future.
It all begins in 1932 at the Lincoln School. It is a terrible institution, rife with abuse and starvation, dedicated to forcing Native American children to assimilate into white culture. Brothers Albert and Odysseus “Odie” O’Banion, the only white children at Lincoln, protect each other, fleeing with Mose, the mute Sioux teen, after Odie accidentally commits a crime. This is the story of their journey down the Gilead River in Minnesota, to the mighty Mississippi, and eventually to St. Louis. The trip is fraught with danger; the brothers have been accused of kidnapping Emmy, and a huge reward is offered for their capture. During the journey, each character suffers great emotional pain. They meet a team of faith healers running a con job crusade, yet the group’s leader truly has the gift of healing, which she shares with Odie.
What is most outstanding is the way this band forms a family, sticking together, learning to forgive the worst and love the rest, fostering a tenderness which permeates their bond and ensures their unity. Crafted in exquisitely beautiful prose, this is a story to be treasured – outstanding and unforgettable.
