Tidewater: A novel of Pocahontas and the Jamestown Colony by Libbie Hawker

Tidewater: A novel of Pocahontas and the Jamestown Colony by Libbie Hawker




                The story of Pocahontas is of course one that I am familiar with. I mean, seriously, who hasn’t seen the Disney movie, absolutely loved it as a child and then been entirely disgusted when learning the truth behind the movie. Tidewater: A novel of Pocahontas and the Jamestown Colony is a beautifully told, moving and realistic account of Pocahontas and her life. I am not a historian but from the moment I started reading this novel I felt fully consumed in the history of the characters. They were brought to life in amazing fashion with well-developed and thought out characters and a fully developed world.
Amonute, also known as Pocahontas or “mischief,” lived in her father Powhatan’s, village in the Tsenacomoco. She was a girl that had only seen ten winters, the last few of which she spent with her father, having left her mother’s village of Pamunkey. The tassantassas, white men, had come to the shores of Tsenacomoco and had been looking to trade with the villagers. Among them was John Smith who was brought to the New World in chains for suspected mutiny, only to be given a position of some power by the Virginia Company. He is one of the few English men who understand the importance of establishing relationships with the Naturals of the New World. With aggressions coming from both sides and a lack of trust prevalent, the history of both sides would be changed forever.
You know what I really loved about this story? I loved that it was told in three different perspectives: Smith, Pocahontas and Opechancanough, the brother of Powhatan. By allowing the story to be told with the differing points of view, you can better understand the frustration of all the characters involved. Language barriers and differing cultures obviously would hinder relationships. The English were under the impression that the Naturals would want religion and want to be civilized. What they really wanted were for the English to leave their land and never to return. The Powhatans were ready to defend their lifestyle and the English were willing to defend what they thought was their claim to the New World. It was all extremely complicated. Hawker though did a great job expressing the predicaments. The novel was also told in four different parts. With each part, new challenges and circumstances emerged in the lives of all the characters. It was well done and executed with just enough action to keep the pace of story moving and interesting.

I was extremely emotional while reading this story of Pocahontas. I was frustrated, angry, sad, amused at times, heartbroken and unnecessarily hopeful. This book was over 500 pages and I enjoyed every single one. I know in the historical note Hawker mentioned she may be doing a sequel and I would be more than happy to continue this journey with her again. I would highly recommend this novel to anyone slightly interested in the history of Pocahontas. It slows down slightly towards the end but it was absolutely amazing. I give this 4.5 out of 5 stars. 

Thank you Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

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