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That Girl Montana
Excerpt from That Girl Montana
But the lately acquired style was lost on him this time, overtopped by the presence of Miss Lavina, who gazed at him with a prolonged and steady stare.
And this is your friend, Captain Leek, of the Northern Army, is it? She asked, in her very sharpest voice - a voice she tried to temper with a smile about her lips, though none shone in her eyes. I have no doubt you will be very welcome to the camp, Captain Leek.
About the Publisher
Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com
This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
But the lately acquired style was lost on him this time, overtopped by the presence of Miss Lavina, who gazed at him with a prolonged and steady stare.
And this is your friend, Captain Leek, of the Northern Army, is it? She asked, in her very sharpest voice - a voice she tried to temper with a smile about her lips, though none shone in her eyes. I have no doubt you will be very welcome to the camp, Captain Leek.
About the Publisher
Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com
This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
92 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
About the author
Marah Ellis Ryan
131 books7 followersMarah Ellis Ryan was born either February 27, 1860 or 1866. as Ellis Martin.
She was a popular author, actress and activist for Native Americans at the turn of the 20th century.
She married Samuel Erwin Ryan (b. 1834), an Irish actor and comedian.S he died July 11, 1934.
She was a popular author, actress and activist for Native Americans at the turn of the 20th century.
She married Samuel Erwin Ryan (b. 1834), an Irish actor and comedian.S he died July 11, 1934.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 14, 2022
This adventure story would be appropriate for most any reader of any age, with little explanation other than making allowances for 120 years of progress in civil justice. My copy is likely a 1st edition (from 1901), brown cloth, and the embossed front shows a cowgirl galloping a horse. It is worth noting that 'Tana, the heroine Montana, is never on horseback, and the story takes place on rivers of Idaho, which had become a state just 11 years before this book was published. 'Tana first appears when she dives into a river to save a native child too young to have learned to swim. She is an outspoken white teenager, is strong in both body (mostly) and will, paddles canoes, and speaks Chinook. [My husband assures me she might more likely speak Salish.]
Much of the plot can be guessed—or at least hoped for—but there are a great many secrets, revelations, and turns of plot, and the ending is charming and romantic. The language used includes "savage" and "squaw" because the white people are talking and there are Indian characters throughout. Most of the white characters are racist, but both 'Tana and Dan (our hero) speak the indigenous language and respect and defend the original inhabitants despite using words most recognize today as pejorative.
I enjoyed this novel, allowed for the period in which it was written, and appreciated how respectfully people of various races and social classes are treated in the narrative. Ryan was an outspoken advocate for native peoples during her lifetime (particularly the Hopi in another landscape entirely). This is not a tract, not a polemic or defense of native rights, but the author's respect and some knowledge are evident. There are plenty of deeply offensive fictions written during the twentieth century, this is not really one of them. Imperfect, but also not entirely bigoted.
I would read another book by this author. This one was filmed in the 1920s, and I would be curious to see that movie.
something of a spoiler below...
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...
...
Two things: I was watching an episode of Sherlock Holmes (Jeremy Brett) where a woman experiences a terrible shock and becomes bedridden and that reminded me that this was a apparently a common believe—that an emotional shock would put a woman flat—not men, but women being susceptible? So that happens. And the adverbs. People used them in 1901. Now every MFA graduate knows you are not supposed to use them ever. (Though some people seem less aware than they might be of exactly what adverbs are. Seriously. The "never use adverbs" rule is kind of silly, though mostly true, she says seriously.)
Much of the plot can be guessed—or at least hoped for—but there are a great many secrets, revelations, and turns of plot, and the ending is charming and romantic. The language used includes "savage" and "squaw" because the white people are talking and there are Indian characters throughout. Most of the white characters are racist, but both 'Tana and Dan (our hero) speak the indigenous language and respect and defend the original inhabitants despite using words most recognize today as pejorative.
I enjoyed this novel, allowed for the period in which it was written, and appreciated how respectfully people of various races and social classes are treated in the narrative. Ryan was an outspoken advocate for native peoples during her lifetime (particularly the Hopi in another landscape entirely). This is not a tract, not a polemic or defense of native rights, but the author's respect and some knowledge are evident. There are plenty of deeply offensive fictions written during the twentieth century, this is not really one of them. Imperfect, but also not entirely bigoted.
I would read another book by this author. This one was filmed in the 1920s, and I would be curious to see that movie.
something of a spoiler below...
...
...
...
Two things: I was watching an episode of Sherlock Holmes (Jeremy Brett) where a woman experiences a terrible shock and becomes bedridden and that reminded me that this was a apparently a common believe—that an emotional shock would put a woman flat—not men, but women being susceptible? So that happens. And the adverbs. People used them in 1901. Now every MFA graduate knows you are not supposed to use them ever. (Though some people seem less aware than they might be of exactly what adverbs are. Seriously. The "never use adverbs" rule is kind of silly, though mostly true, she says seriously.)
June 12, 2022
This has to be the worst book I have attempted to read, but could not wade through. The book is not a western. It is written in a narrative style such would be read on old time radio. Except in a radio drama there would be some first person interactions. The insults against the red men were over the top, and even the calmer retorts, went where it had nothing to do with the story.
Sadly, even the conjectures of the time were extremely off. The character would have been nicknamed 'Tanay with various spelling versions possible.
Sadly, even the conjectures of the time were extremely off. The character would have been nicknamed 'Tanay with various spelling versions possible.
March 27, 2018
Great story
Great story. Looking forward to her next book. Having visited the Kootenai territory made this story even more compelling. Such a page turner
Great story. Looking forward to her next book. Having visited the Kootenai territory made this story even more compelling. Such a page turner
March 3, 2020
Mountain romance.
The characters in this story all have their secrets that tangle together. Somehow, it all centers around Tana. When all are told, it leads to love.
The characters in this story all have their secrets that tangle together. Somehow, it all centers around Tana. When all are told, it leads to love.
December 19, 2020
not really a western .. "Montana" is a most unusual girl, her adventures and philosophy of life is most interesting .. enjoyed the book .. very good character development .. A good read
July 7, 2025
A pip of a story. It is unlike any other I have read in this genre.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews