River of Red Gold

by Naida West

The California Gold Rush as you never imagined (1844-1853) based on a true story. All characters are real, named unchanged. This epic novel brings to life Donner Party survivors, Sutter and his Sacramento fort, the first actual gold strikes, paradise lost and the unsettling of the West. For countless generations Grizzly Hair's people have lived peacefully on the land by the Cosumnes River. Former British sailor Perry McCoon stakes his claim and brings Elitha, his 14-year-old Donner bride. Vaquero Pedro Valdez loves Grizzly Hair's daughter Maria (Indian Mary), and desires the land for his own rancho. But initially McCoon possesses her and the land. Then Mexico loses the war, Condor's robe is stolen and the stampede for gold tramples all before it. Elitha and Indian Mary become soul-mates as miners turn the earth upside down and the river runs red with blood. Fighting bigotry with gun and lasso, Pedro rides with the bandit Joaquin Murieta. Told through Pedro, Indian Mary and Elitha Donner, the story and its surprise end will haunt readers. Passionate love and enduring friendships in a time of violence and vengeance. Familial love thwarted but never diminished. Pedro, Maria and Elitha -- people of three cultures guided and misguided by those who walked before. Whispers to the modern soul of rootlessness, sacrifices to gold, the curse of the Condor. Yet through it all sing the eternal voices of the land and river, promising hope and tranquility to those who will listen. 624 pages.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Book Club, Fiction

626 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1996

Reviews

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Facinating historical novel about an important time in California history. A true to life story of the people who unsettled the native peoples and then the Californios, and the gold rush that unsettled it all again. Interesting from start to finsih.

[Melinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't read this if you have a weak stomach for grave and unrelenting injustics and sorrow, but if you want a good story and learn a ton about the genocide, ecocide and concurrent settlement of central California, this is the book for you. It includes a careful and seemingly balanced account of the Donner Party tragedies as the author fills in the gaps in the historic record to tell how it might have been. Oregon trappers take a big hit, perhaps well-deserved The sorry tale is peppered with bits of romance, lust and humor so it's hard to put down as you hope against hope that "things will all work out". For me it provides a prequel for what followed in the Comstock when 49ers spread death and destruction to Nevada.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very long, comprehensive book about the early settling of California by whites, particularly Gold Country. This book was quite an ambitious project but the author managed to blend facts with fiction to create an engaging and educational story.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great history lesson for California history buffs! Engaging characters, well researched. I’m a fan of mystical realism so I loved the Indian folklore “voices”.

[Tevilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book club read. Interesting and uneven. Glad to be done.

[Jessica Williams]

Good sequel.