I’m looking for a well-researched historical novel similar in style, depth and compelling interest as "The Revenant’ by Michael Punke. If it takes place on land and sea, even better. I’m looking for a novel that captures the grittiness of frontier life but also the culture of that period but told in an elegantly descriptive fashion. Any suggestion would be welcome.
It’s set about a hundred years earlier, and it’s a bit schlocky, but I enjoyed “Speaks the Nightbird” by Robert McCammon quite a bit. I found it a good mix of history (or “history”) and action.
Thanks iiandyiiii. I’ll look into it.
I’m not familiar with The Revenant, so I don’t know whether my suggestion is anything like it or like what the OP is looking for, but I enjoyed From Sea To Shining Sea by James Alexander Thom. The first part is set during the Revolutionary War, and the second part follows the Lewis and Clark expedition.
The Bastard by John Jakes and its following series was the go to book for historical fiction when I was a kid.
From pre-revolution to post civil war if I recall.
Thanks Thundlow_Boink. The period around the Lewis & Clark expedition is also of interest to me.
Thanks Si_Amigo. I’ll take a look at it.
Not really a novel, but neither is it purely nonfiction, I really enjoyed this 1000 page doorstop spanning US frontier history between the Revolution and War of 1812.
https://www.amazon.com/Sorrow-Our-Heart-Life-Tecumseh/dp/055356174X
You might like Allan Eckert’s “The Winning of America” books that begins with “The Frontiersman.” I haven’t read them but the late Kopek devoured them all and thought highly of Mr. Eckert’s writing. There are 6 books in the series.
AKA the Kent Family Chronicles. Be warned, the main characters interact with an unrealistic and increasingly annoying number of famous historical figures. I made it midway through the third book until one of the characters met baby Abraham Lincoln - that was enough.
Johnny Tremain for adults.