Amy Marshall

Formulaic romanticization of Alaska as the last"great frontier" this coming-of-age story was eminently disappointing; while the author's descriptions of the natural world inspired awe and wonder, her plot and characters were formulaic and simplistic. And how can one write about Alaska and reference it's native populationsonly in passing? ; with no sage Tlingit or Haida to be seen, the role of Wise Woman of Color is left to "Large Marge", a single ex-prosecutor from NYC' who is conveniently around when anyone needs a shoulder to cry on or a good talking-to. The book's portrayal of teen pregnancy, the Vietnam war era, domestic violence, POWs, and PTSD were just as misguided and superficial (those sex scenes between Cora & Ernt are essentially examples of marital rape). A disappointing read. Compare to Educated