"Vibrantly written and uniquely evocative" (Denver Post), River Thievesis the riveting story of a group of European settlers of the New World in th...
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Apr 21, 2010
Jennifer
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British naval officer David Buchan arrives on the Bay of Exploits in 1810 with orders to establish friendly contact with the elusive Beothuk, the aboriginal inhabitants known as “Red Indians” who have been driven almost to extinction. Aware that the success of his mission rests on the support of local white settlers, Buchan approaches the most influential among them, the Peytons, for assistance, and enters a shadowy world of allegiances and deep grudges. His closest ally, the young John Peyton J
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Jan 17, 2010
Moose
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Michael Crummey hails from Nova Scotia, where the book is set, so its no wonder he can describe in such intimate detail the little rivers and creeks, necks and beaches, hills, and valleys. I found myself totally immersed in the world that was St. John in the early 1800s, the lives of the trappers and the interference of the English. Crummey brought the time period to life in ways I could never get from a history book. He also takes a very daring approach to historical fiction in his depictin
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Jun 27, 2010
Ollie
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I never in a million years would have picked up this book if it hadn't been for my book club. And that's a sad thing to realise after finishing a very satisfying read. It turns out that Michael Crummey is a respected poet and prose writer in Canada, winning many awards with River Thieves as well as with his poetry collections. I can see why.
Set in the early part of the 1800s in Newfoundland (where Crummey is from), River Thieves is a sombre historical novel that charts the conflic More...
Set in the early part of the 1800s in Newfoundland (where Crummey is from), River Thieves is a sombre historical novel that charts the conflic More...
Jun 15, 2011
I LOVED Michael Crummy's second novel, The Wreckage. I had River Thieves for months before starting it, for fear of being disappointed. I wasn't ready until Galore was published. As it turns out, I was disappointed, which is not to say River Thieves is not a very good book. It's just very different from The Wreckage. It is Michael Crummy's first novel. What disappointed me was that I had to really work to get into the book, unlike the Wreckage which had me hooked right from the beginning. That
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Aug 22, 2011
Kay
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I kept at this one even though I never really got into it - mainly because I wanted to figure out why it didn't do anything for me. In the end, I think there was no life in the story or the writing. It reminded me of a novel about a group stranded off of Baffin Island (I cannot remember the title.. but I can picture the cover) so maybe there is a certain approach to this kind of story. For the life of me, I can't picture the author getting excited to work on this or enjoying it at all and that'
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Jan 22, 2011
Linda
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Got this book from the library because I couldn't get "Galore" recommended by Lauren B. on this site. Engrossing story, layered like a frozen fog over the chilling true story of the time and the Beothuk. Brute weather and passionate peoples, and plot twists like ice shelves colliding. Crummey orchestrates language into prose well. I'm going to read his poetry soon. Reader warning: wear extra layers of clothing reading this book.
Jan 31, 2010
Shann
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I loved this book. I think some parts were a bit slow, but in a way it added to the story. It is in a time where things were slow, letters and people that had to travel by sea. No airplanes or emails. Thus, a gradual plot is somehow fitting.
Though the author is telling a story he did use actual diaries to compile it. Not only is it a great story, it is factual history. The nerd in me just loves that!
Though the author is telling a story he did use actual diaries to compile it. Not only is it a great story, it is factual history. The nerd in me just loves that!
Aug 07, 2011
Yvonne
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Beautifully realized. In the early 1800's Newfoundland is a place that only the hardiest of souls can endure. It is magnificent and cruel country. This is the story of settlers along the northern coast and the remaining Beothuk "Red" Indians and the interaction between the two peoples. There are strongly written and fascinating characters and the book is rivetting. Loved it.
Jan 10, 2011
Arlene
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This is an excellent book written about the early 1800s in Newfoundland. This gifted story teller, through meticulous detail,spins us a story around the extinction of the Red Indian -the Beothuk,the Mi'kmaq, the British overseer,and the inhabitants/fishermen of the island. He uses the language of the time to add colour, interest and richness to this narrative.
Oct 31, 2010
Dot
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I have greatly enjoyed all the books I've read by this author and this is no exception. The story involves British settlers and their encounters with the Beothuk tribe of native Indians. The author evokes the difficult lives lived by the men who lived by fishing and trapping and the landscape is carefully described in such a way that it becomes a character in itself.
Jan 03, 2010
Deodand
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This is the type of Canadian book I like to read. I find that we are often represented in fiction as we like to see ourselves - on the polite and cheery side, even in depressing circumstances. This book hangs a lantern on a dark spot in Canadian history.
I am directly related to settlers who found native rifle pits on their land claim. My ancestral home is not far from Frog Lake. These things are not terribly far in the past in Canada - less than a hundred years in some places. Eu More...
I am directly related to settlers who found native rifle pits on their land claim. My ancestral home is not far from Frog Lake. These things are not terribly far in the past in Canada - less than a hundred years in some places. Eu More...
Dec 22, 2008
Shane
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Fabulous story about a vanishing ( or already vanished breed?) of Indians in Newfoundland. The characters are strong and memorable, the terrain rough and unforgiving - a great place to situate a story.
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Aug 29, 2009
Carol
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Historic novel of 19th century Newfoundland and the relationship of the Beothuk native Indians and white settlers. Beautifully written in spare language and evocative of a harsh time and place
Oct 05, 2009
Sarah
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Set in Newfoundland in the 1700s it is a story about the last of the Red Indians and their interactions with the white trappers. Quite good but a bit slow at times.
May 25, 2009
Mr Puffy
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This book has a really powerful ending. As I read the book there were parts where I felt the story lagged but then a passage would be written so well it would keep my interest and I would read on. The entire last quarter of the book is written so well and brings together why all of the background for each of the characters was important that you will remember it as one of your better reads. Living in the United States I often think about the native American Indian culture and while this story
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Jun 24, 2010
Val
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This was a hard-to-follow, boring read. I was interested to read about the Beothuk, but lost interest when I lost track of the characters' names.
Aug 11, 2011
Stedwards
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Well written, snapshot in time of Canadian fishing settlements. Although as an American, the story of devastation of one small group of natives is all too familiar and just not that jarring (sadly).
Jan 13, 2009
Sharon
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Another excellent read, this book kept my emotions on edge, both up and down. I'll surely read this one again.
Feb 03, 2011
Gyoung
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Wow- I know nothing about Newfoundland in 1810 and now I feel as if I lived it. Beautiful writing for a harsh time.
May 09, 2010
Marv
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Based on historical facts & developed into a good story. It deals with the demise of the native people of Newfoundland.
Aug 10, 2011
Debbie
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Good atmosphere, pretty good read and good feel for early settling of Newfoundland. End of the Beotuk is heartbreaking.
Jul 27, 2011
Not a bad read.......nice that it takes place in Canada for a change. Can't get enough about Canada!!!
Jan 11, 2008
Donna
rated it:
Quite interesting tale about the relations between the European settlers and
the Beothuk Indians in Newfoundland at the turn of the 19th century. I
liked Crummey's writing, but the structure of the story left me puzzled.
Instead of telling the story straight out, the author released the truth in
small snippets of information told as remembrances of the individual
characters. To me, this chopped everything up so much that it barely held
my interest. Crummey was also More...
the Beothuk Indians in Newfoundland at the turn of the 19th century. I
liked Crummey's writing, but the structure of the story left me puzzled.
Instead of telling the story straight out, the author released the truth in
small snippets of information told as remembrances of the individual
characters. To me, this chopped everything up so much that it barely held
my interest. Crummey was also More...
Aug 08, 2011
Dave
rated it:
Solid historic fiction about a region, Newfoundland, that interests me. Moved a bit slow, and my personal preference is for more character development over just telling the tale, but a very good book. Three and a half would be a more accurate rating, and I will definitely read another from this author.
Jan 24, 2012
Debbie
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The history was interesting. The brutality of the era was believable. But I could not get strongly invested in any of the characters and found I rushed to the end.
Jul 24, 2011
Ellen
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Michael Crummey is one of my favourite authors and River Thieves is a great read. I think it may very well be as good as Galore!
Aug 05, 2010
Young
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I love Michael Crummey's writing. there's a lovely bit of oddity in each of his books which appeals to me. plus his style and the development of his characters is excellent.
Aug 27, 2011
Megan
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Best book I have read in a long time. The scenery, the characters, and the stories....fantastic. Thanks to my sister for recommending it to me!
