The Turtle Warrior

by Mary Relindes Ellis

Book Overview

Once every now and again a new voice emerges to astonish and Mary Relindes Ellis?s is one such voice. Lyrical, assured and deeply felt, Ellis?s debut novel is the story of two brothers, their parents, and their neighbors, who farm in the gloriously beautiful, isolated country of northern Wisconsin, inhabited by working-class European immigrants and the Ojibwe.By 1967, the Lucas farm has fallen into disrepair, thanks to the hard-drinking of John Lucas,...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0670032654
• ISBN13: 9780670032655
• Release Date: January 2004
• Publisher: Viking Books
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.6" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Beautifully written

This is a very moving novel with full richly developed characters. There was 1 plot point that I still find confusing but it's easy to over look because of well the rest of the book is written. The various perspectives of how war effects people made it feel very well rounded and complete but it was still an easy to follow read. I would definitely reccomend this book!

Official Pulpwood Queens Book Club Selection

Mary Relindes Ellis just left as she was visiting several of my book clubs that I run as we chose "The Turtle Warrior" as our monthly selection. What a wonderful first novel that doesn't read as such in fact, very atmospheric and spiritual in nature. As most of our bookclubs are set in the south, I try to select books that give a new voice to literature, enlighten, educate, and take us to worlds and cultures we have never been able to view. I was surprised at how I thought northern wisconsin was so different than East Texas but I saw more similarities. It was amazing to also find out the incredible cover was taken by an East Texas photographer. She is a beautiful writer and she explained to us about what it is like to grow up in an "old world" culture, many immigrants and being catholic. My book club members could not get enough of Mary and we can't wait for the next book. So many voices speaking to us from her book and to hear her read from a book was really a beautiful experience. Though dark, I happen to like books that lift me in spirit and show that even though there is great sadness and cruelty in this world, there is beauty in the reading of the author's story. This is one book that if done like "Snow Falling on Cedars" could be visually stunning. The landscape and nature swept me away and all our members highly anticipate her next book. Tiara wearing and Book bearing, Kathy L. Patrick Founder of The Pulpwood Queens Book Clubs, the largest "meeting and discussing" book club in America

GREAT BOOK CLUB BOOK

This debut novel, which takes place in northern Wisconsin, is a very good one!! I had my doubts at the beginning as Ellis did some stereotyping of "blue collar Germans in Milwaukee" and some of the people in northern Wisconsin, which I felt, were overdone and not entirely true. However once over that I settled into the story. It is a story of abuse, but also one of relationships and beliefs. Jimmy and Bill, brothers, have such a close relationship that even after Jimmy has been killed, Bill feels his presence and seems to be guided by his "advice". His mother Claire has a wretched life indeed. Having come to Olin as a schoolteacher, her husband never allowed her to teach but cast her in the roll of scapegoat an servant. Jimmy enlists to get away from his father. I love the multi-person narration, particularly the person of Jimmy after death. The neighbors Ernie and Rosemary Morriseau are amazing people. Even though they have their own personal losses (being childless), they reach out to the Lucas family again and again. First forming somewhat of a family for Bill and later saving him from certain death by his own hand. Claire also finally reaches for help and is also embraced. The writing is very descriptive and almost "elegant". The plot is easily followed and understood and is very linear. I think this will be a good book club book.

Excellent debut novel

Mary Relindes Ellis has written a powerful story that?s filled with a heart-wrenching and unforgettable way of life for a Midwestern family and their neighbors. But it was the first person narrative used by the different characters, along with multiple changes in the POV, that floored me. This writer?s talent shines through with the ability to capture and constantly hold the reader?s attention with this style of writing. It?s a difficult task for the most seasoned of writers, but Ellis does this like it?s old hat in her debut novel. I never once lost my train of thought with the frequent switching of narrative identity.My favorite character in this book was not necessarily the main character. I enjoyed the neighbor, Ernie Marriseau. He was the epitome of a perfect husband and a wonderful person. Yet, like all of us, Ernie had his flaws too.Ellis brings about the paranormal just when it fit perfectly into the story. I must admit that I greatly admire this author?s talent. I couldn?t put the book down because I didn?t want to stop reading. I?m looking forward to her future novels. I feel that Ellis has created a new style of writing that will soon become like a trademark for her, immediately recognized by avid readers and fans alike.It does the heart good to give a 5-star rating to a debut novel. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of THE TURTLE WARRIOR. It?s a keeper.

Mesmerizing account of a family's disintegration.

One more chapter of the despair and angst would have been too many. It took every modicrum of strength I had to reach the end of this haunting novel, but I feet better for having done so. A very tense and difficult read but clearly worth the effort.

The Turtle Warrior

The Turtle Warrior, Mary Ellis?s first novel, is a master piece. Sensitive and haunting the tale takes the reader from a poor farm in Wisconsin to the battle fields of World War II and Vietnam. It is a sensitive tale of an unforgettable world where the physical and spiritual, the past and present merge. I liked the Native American aspects. It is an insightful and disturbing story, not an easy read, but one that is sure to raise emotions and well worth it.