Spirit of the Raven: An Alaskan Novel

by Bob Cherry

Book Overview

The story begins in the Alaskan bush in November when one of the main characters, Hjalmar the Finn, spies what looks like an axe handle frozen into a mound of ice. He moves closer, only to see a wool... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0966543009
• ISBN13: 9780966543001
• Release Date: February 1999
• Publisher: Picaro Press
• Length: 279 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Awesome characterization

Awesome characterization coupled with a fast-paced narrative gives Spirit of the Raven a high readability factor. His subject is unique, rarely explored and has that unmistakable quality of a writer who knows his subject. Cherry has interspersed the eerieness of Alaskan mythology with a starkly down to earth and witty narrative about all too human misfits and old reprobates. Hats off to a superb first novel!

Spirit of the Raven is a powerful novel.

As a writer, Bob Cherry reveals his own raven qualities - teasing the reader with an apparent simplicity, while demonstratinig a complex mythology of realism which is played out in the exploration of a vast land (geographically, philosophically, egotistically - i.e. the male psyche). Readers of the novel confront the unknown in many ways, and if they stop to dwell among events, sift through the many layers and allusions, they may recognize their own counterparts - perhaps in an isolated cabin too far from any village, perhaps in making an extreme gesture toward freedom, or simply making preparations for a guest - seeking camaraderie close to the stove or close to the heart. Spirit of the Raven is a powerful novel provoking its readers to reexamine ideas of alienation and compassion, freedom and commitment. It is most suitably set in Alaska, where against a stark and frozen white terrain each individual (character) is observed with extreme clarity - and where it is still a long cold distance from one village to another.

A great book worth the read.

Extremely well developed characters, intense visual detail, a touch of mystery, and a little black humor all made this novel well worth reading. Great description/eplanationof Alaskan culture and landscape...This novel is definitely worth your time.

This is the best novel I've seen to come out of Alaska!

Bob Cherry writes an amazingly complex and rewarding story with an incredible cast of colorful characters. I was drawn in by the fast-paced narrative with an abundance of subtle and incisive humor - I could not put it down! Truly a poignant and realistic look at the human struggle of early rural Alaska. Superb reading

Unique mystery, good humor, well-developed characters

A tale of intrigue and adventure set in bush Alaskan of the 1920s. Cherry has well-developed characters and makes you feel you're right there with them as the story unfolds. At times I felt I was Phineas Farrow trying to make it all work out even when I knew events were somewhat beyond my control. Abundant subtle humor is present throughout the story, especially in the development of many of the characters (Delmar and Yael for example). Highly reccomended. Also recommended: A Patchwork Planet - Ann Tyler A Widow for One Year - John Irving All the Pretty Horses - Cormack McCarthy