Lonesome Road
by Mary Louise Clifford
by Mary Louise Clifford
LONESOME ROAD by Mary Louise Clifford
Category: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: Grades 6+
Release Date: 4/21/05
Publisher: PublishAmerica
Reviewed by: Carrie Spellman
Rating: 4 Stars
Tom Benedict, freshman at William and Mary college, has decided to write his anthropology paper about Native
American folk medicine. His research leads him to Charles City County, Virginia, and the Chickahominy tribe. He is
further directed to Granny Blow, the tribe's wisewoman. Standing between him and the information he seeks is Luney,
Granny's likely successor and protector. Luney is sure that Tom is going to exploit their ways and make a public
laughingstock out of them. It wouldn't be the first time. Tom's offer of books and information on other early Americans,
and Granny's willingness to cooperate, are the only things that slightly relax Luney's animosity towards the outsider.
Slowly, a shaky trust and an almost-friendship develop between Tom and Luney. Though both can fall apart
unexpectedly at any given moment. Nonetheless, they begin to lean on each other in ways neither of them ever expected.
Just when things seem to be settling a little, another newcomer appears. A woman, who begins holding rituals and
gathering followers. Tom doesn't trust her; he thinks she's part of a cult. Luney doesn't necessarily trust her either, but is
fascinated by her. It soon becomes very clear that much more than Tom and Luney's newly formed friendship may be
threatened.
LONESOME ROAD was a good story. I liked the story line a lot, and the relationship between Tom and Luney was
very well done. With a bit more depth and involvement, I think this would have been one of the better books I've ever
read. If you have an interest in Native Americans, this is a book that's worth taking a look at.
Category: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: Grades 6+
Release Date: 4/21/05
Publisher: PublishAmerica
Reviewed by: Carrie Spellman
Rating: 4 Stars
Tom Benedict, freshman at William and Mary college, has decided to write his anthropology paper about Native
American folk medicine. His research leads him to Charles City County, Virginia, and the Chickahominy tribe. He is
further directed to Granny Blow, the tribe's wisewoman. Standing between him and the information he seeks is Luney,
Granny's likely successor and protector. Luney is sure that Tom is going to exploit their ways and make a public
laughingstock out of them. It wouldn't be the first time. Tom's offer of books and information on other early Americans,
and Granny's willingness to cooperate, are the only things that slightly relax Luney's animosity towards the outsider.
Slowly, a shaky trust and an almost-friendship develop between Tom and Luney. Though both can fall apart
unexpectedly at any given moment. Nonetheless, they begin to lean on each other in ways neither of them ever expected.
Just when things seem to be settling a little, another newcomer appears. A woman, who begins holding rituals and
gathering followers. Tom doesn't trust her; he thinks she's part of a cult. Luney doesn't necessarily trust her either, but is
fascinated by her. It soon becomes very clear that much more than Tom and Luney's newly formed friendship may be
threatened.
LONESOME ROAD was a good story. I liked the story line a lot, and the relationship between Tom and Luney was
very well done. With a bit more depth and involvement, I think this would have been one of the better books I've ever
read. If you have an interest in Native Americans, this is a book that's worth taking a look at.