A Roanoke Story

by Deahn Berrini

About the Book In the summer of 1587, 115 British men, women, and children disappeared from the eastern shores of what is now called the United States of America, in northern North Carolina, leaving not a button, nor shoe, nor note, only some ambiguous carvings on trees, an incident commonly referred to as “The Mystery of the Roanoke Colony.” A Roanoke Story visits this unsolved puzzle from the perspective of the Native American people who watched the ships come into their bay, a people who had lived on this shore since the beginning of the Roanoke. This simple change of point of view turns common myths on their heads, and guides us to confront the true beginnings of European colonization. Praise for the Book “A Roanoke Story takes us as close as we are likely to get to an understanding of the thoughts, feelings, words, and actions of Native American men and women who could not leave any trace in the written record of themselves or of what they thought of the strangers who entered their lands.” —James Horn, author of "A Kingdom The Brief and Tragic History of the Lost Colony of Roanoke"

232 pages, Paperback

Published May 2, 2017

Reviews

[Mia Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

With her third book, Deahn Berrini has hit her stride as an author. A Roanoke Story brings together Berrini's gift for storytelling and creating thoughtful, well-developed characters, with her skills as an historical researcher to delve into one of history's great mysteries: what happened to the settlers at Roanoke?

Berrini tells this story from the perspective of the Native People. Keeta, our protagonist, captured my attention on page 1 as she raced toward the shore to escape the weeding and the giggling of the women in the fields. I could not put this book down, but I also did not want it to end. The story is that good.

To tell A Roanoke Story Berrini carefully researched the daily lives of the Roanoke people, their names, their food, and their activities. This information lays the foundation for a fictitious story that is beautifully written and captivating.

[Lana Owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three things stand out about this work of historical fiction, the lyrical writing, the vast amount of research that was done to bring authenticity to this novel and a story line that will impel you to keep reading. Through Ms. Berrini’s educated creativity, the reader is brought an imagined story of a real native tribe, the Croatans, who lived in synchronicity with the natural world until the sea brought them a “large canoe” filled with strange looking men clad in metal who did not understand their place in the balance of nature. I challenge anyone to read this and not try to continue on with their own research on the mystery of the disappearance of the lost colony and the Croatans.

[M.W. MacKay · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a thoroughly engaging, moving, beautifully written novel. The characters are fully rounded and sympathetic—Keeta in particular, who I came to care about deeply by the end of the book.

One of the most striking and rewarding aspect of "A Roanoke Story" is the point of view. Told from the perspective of the native people, the story invites you in and transports you to the world of the Roanoke; it makes for an extraordinary reading experience, one I won’t forget. I strongly recommend this book.

[Marcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story. Well written. Will take you into the mystery of the Roanoke Colony.

[Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Felt like I was there!