The Last of the Mohicans

The Last of the Mohicans
J. Fenimore Cooper
Purnell and sons Ltd
Printed by Dean & Sons

This is an old book, but nevertheless and fantastic story. It is set in the Americas, where the French and British are in dispute over various territories. The local red-Indian tribes have moved from their traditional hunting grounds, either because they have to, or to follow their new masters.

We start out with a simple journey; two young women are to be escorted home through difficult territory by a young Major. He has an Indian guide, but the guide is not all he appears. The journey is not completed, and the adventure begins. Without ruining the story I can say that they do not all get home safely – the story is too realistic for that. Friendships are made, savages prove to be both savage, and civilised (though the book does not admit so much, it is implied in many scenes), and the white man is not shown in too bad a light. There is plenty of action, particularly towards the end, when war breaks out.

It’s the characterisations that make a story, and these are all real people, but remember that the language is old, and sometimes difficult to penetrate. Each chapter starts with a short quote, often from Shakespeare, which I assume is suppose to set the scene, as in the introductions to chapters in some books that start “In which our hero …”. For me this didn’t work, perhaps it was the language, or perhaps it was my lack of knowledge of the classics. I’d recommend an up-to-date version if you’re going to read it.