A peculiar dilemma in American history, and in the end I was dissatisfied with the fate of True Son.

Finally read this classic "white boy captured by Indians and doesn't want to reintegrate into white society" book. I can see why it was popular back when it was first published in 1953 (and it's still periodically used on local school reading lists, because of the Ohio connection), because it is full of action and is a peon to unspoiled wilderness and living off the land. But the language seemed extra stilted to me, like the author was trying to make this book sound (unsuccessfully) like it was written in the 1700's, the time period in which it is set. I liked the abundance of Native American words and names used, with translations that I assume are accurate. The central plot conflict shows that both whites and Natives thought the other culture was uncivilized and savage, which I found refreshing for an older book about Native Americans.

A unique story set in a time of Pennsylvanian history I didn't know much about. I read this with/for a group of middle schoolers as part of their English class. The ending was a surprise, and I learned some things along the way. I probably would not have discovered this book on my own, so I'm glad I had the chance to read it.

Surprisingly violent and depressing for a young adult novel written in the 50's. I think the best take away I have is from one of the author's intents: "I thought that perhaps if we understood how these First Americans felt toward our white way of life, we might better understand the adverse, if perverted, view of us by some African, European, and Asian peoples today." I think what Conrad Richter means by that is he wants to give us a cultural perspective-- remembering that morals, customs, and worldviews may widely differ from one race to the next. Pity the individual, like True Son, who gets caught in between cultures and must pick one. What may seem normal, common sense to us may be foreign, rigid, and wrong to others. Today, we can't assume our culture is perfect and superior-- and we can't assume other cultures will agree with that opinion. It's beneficial to wear their moccasins and take a walk in them down a path in a forest. This book also makes me wonder what my own Native American ancestors thought of the White Man, and if their struggles, heartbreaks, and trials were far, far worse than anything this little book could begin to describe.

This was the only book that I read for English 11 Honors summer reading that I actually enjoyed, and I've talked to a few others in my class, and they have all said that it's also their favorite out of all of the books. I love learning about history, and one of my favorite time periods is the 1600's through 1800's. I also really love learning about Native American cultures. I thought this book did a wonderful job showing both the Native American's and the white's perspectives and reasoning behind things. I definitely recommend that everyone who enjoys history reads this book.

This book was interesting. I love historical fiction, and don’t typically dive into this era. I’m not one hundred percent about this book. I feel bad for True Son and how confusing things must have been for him. He was taken from one home and forced into another.
I also watched the Disney film and they changed quite a bit.

MVP: Gordie

At some point in time during my youth my father gave me a tiny stack of paperbacks suggesting that it would be good if I read them. One of them was "Call It Courage", another was "Where the Red Fern Grows", and the third was this book. I proceeded to not read them and let them collect dust on my shelf.

Dozens of years later, I read "Call It Courage" with a student and loved it. I wondered about those other books my Dad had recommended and if they were as good.

"Where the Red Fern Grows" disappeared, but the copy of "The Light In The Forest" stayed with me, surviving several moves and book purges.

Last week I decided to finally pull it off the shelf and give it a go.

It was pretty good. The prose was lovely and Richter did an excellent job showing how racism can pollute a heart. I also totally believed the culture shock the main character feels when he switches from Indian life to Settler life.

There were a few times where the Indian voice felt very much like the formal-yet-stilted talk of a 1950s movie-Indian, and there were a few points where I thought Richer was nudging against noble savage clichés, but for a book done in 1953, I thought it fell on stereotypes a lot less than a book about Native Americans could.

Now... do I find a copy of "Where the Red Fern Grows" or wait another 20 years?