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Columbia
The scope of Columbia - the first epic saga of our country's final courageous thrust into the continental unknown, the Pacific Northwest - is as massive as the Columbia River itself. The story begins nine thousand years ago, when the river was new, and unfolds in a magnificent family portrait spanning five generations, from the end of the eighteenth century to the present.At the head of the ancient family is Ilchee, a Chinook Indian princess married to a white trader, who founds a dynasty of rare courage; Caleb, her son, who must learn to live in the white world of Fort Vancouver; Suzanna, who makes the arduous trip across the continent, battling humiliation, death, and even love; Isaac, their son, who builds a logging empire only to discover that destiny, not timer, is king; Ning Ho, Isaac's Chinese mistress, who teaches him even more of life than of pleasure; and finally Will, who rejects his father's vision to power his own - the building of the Grand Coulee Dam - and Leona, his wife, whose secret threatens to destroy everything the family has worked to create.Columbia is a rich, vivid canvas of heroes and scoundrels, of men and women and their dreams of land, gold, timber, salmon and power - dreams that begin when a nomad hunter kills a mastodon and end with an archaeology team working frantically to uncover evidence of that killing before the Columbia's waters rise to cover the past forever - and a family destiny that proves "some things must be believe to be seen."
Paperback
First published June 1, 1986
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 9, 2016
The Columbia River begins its journey in the mountains of British Columbia and travels over 1,200 miles before it empties into the Pacific ocean. Jekel gives the reader a closer look at the river's history, from its very beginnings as the upheaval of the earth literally cut a new path through the Cascade range and sent the river west towards the ocean, to the time when it ran free and thick with salmon, and then to the present when its energy is harnessed to provide electricity and the nature of the river forever changed.
The book is broken up into several sections, with a jump of a generation between them, but all tying back to Chinook princess and shaman Ilchee, who as a young girl traveled alone into the mountains where she met "the raven" who spoke to her of the river's future,
"And Raven told her that the river would be tamed like a dog, the people would die, the land will float, and the red fish will come no more."
The ships begin arriving as well as the Hudson's Bay Company who builds forts at Astoria and Vancouver. The River people are eager to trade, but get more than they bargained for when they succumb to the diseases that also come with the white men. In the next section, the wagon trains begin arriving from the east and Suzanna and her father rest from the journey at the Whitman Mission (I think you all know what happened there). 1870 sees the arrival of the Chinese who come to work the canneries, and in 1880 the logging industry booms and Ilchee's grandson reaps its rewards, but will they listen to the old woman and heed her warnings so that the land may be saved for future generations?
"...we could set out seedlings. That'd give 'em an even better chance. And then a hundred years from now, there'd still be big timber on these hills."
The very last section begins in 1915 and is aptly titled The River Movers, as modern man sees the potential in the river for generating electricity and begins building the dams that will forever change the landscape, as well as the livelihood of its native people,
"Where once a set of rapids and falls had carved out the stones, leaping and thrashing waters around huge boulders, now a placid pool was rising."
Since this book isn't heavy on plot or pacing, it might not appeal to all readers, but should interest those with a love of the Columbia and an interest in the area and its history - but be warned if you are coming into this cold with no knowledge of the towns and the locations you'll feel a bit lost - find yourself a good reference map and use it. I liked how the author used Ilchee and the subsequent generations, finally bringing them full circle with their long-forgotten Indian heritage and ties to the river.
The book is broken up into several sections, with a jump of a generation between them, but all tying back to Chinook princess and shaman Ilchee, who as a young girl traveled alone into the mountains where she met "the raven" who spoke to her of the river's future,
"And Raven told her that the river would be tamed like a dog, the people would die, the land will float, and the red fish will come no more."
The ships begin arriving as well as the Hudson's Bay Company who builds forts at Astoria and Vancouver. The River people are eager to trade, but get more than they bargained for when they succumb to the diseases that also come with the white men. In the next section, the wagon trains begin arriving from the east and Suzanna and her father rest from the journey at the Whitman Mission (I think you all know what happened there). 1870 sees the arrival of the Chinese who come to work the canneries, and in 1880 the logging industry booms and Ilchee's grandson reaps its rewards, but will they listen to the old woman and heed her warnings so that the land may be saved for future generations?
"...we could set out seedlings. That'd give 'em an even better chance. And then a hundred years from now, there'd still be big timber on these hills."
The very last section begins in 1915 and is aptly titled The River Movers, as modern man sees the potential in the river for generating electricity and begins building the dams that will forever change the landscape, as well as the livelihood of its native people,
"Where once a set of rapids and falls had carved out the stones, leaping and thrashing waters around huge boulders, now a placid pool was rising."
Since this book isn't heavy on plot or pacing, it might not appeal to all readers, but should interest those with a love of the Columbia and an interest in the area and its history - but be warned if you are coming into this cold with no knowledge of the towns and the locations you'll feel a bit lost - find yourself a good reference map and use it. I liked how the author used Ilchee and the subsequent generations, finally bringing them full circle with their long-forgotten Indian heritage and ties to the river.
August 20, 2018
Excellent historical fiction novel! it is linear in that it traces threads through generations of peoples.
It traces various fairly recent eras in regards to the Columbia River, starting with the native aboriginal people who lived along it, and found food in it before the encroachment of white settlers. Then the white settlers, and how they used it and interfaced with the natives. Then Generation after generation of the same linage, ultimately having dams built on the River, including Grand Col-lee Dam....and how that processes affected various genrations.
The wonderful thing about this book, aside from being very readable, is that it conveys history that I may have heard of, but never fully understood until reading this book.
I purchased a very used paperback copy of the book. It was 425 pages or so with really fine print. It reminded me of paperback books I read as a teenager while laying on my back in my bedroom. A very nice memory also.
It traces various fairly recent eras in regards to the Columbia River, starting with the native aboriginal people who lived along it, and found food in it before the encroachment of white settlers. Then the white settlers, and how they used it and interfaced with the natives. Then Generation after generation of the same linage, ultimately having dams built on the River, including Grand Col-lee Dam....and how that processes affected various genrations.
The wonderful thing about this book, aside from being very readable, is that it conveys history that I may have heard of, but never fully understood until reading this book.
I purchased a very used paperback copy of the book. It was 425 pages or so with really fine print. It reminded me of paperback books I read as a teenager while laying on my back in my bedroom. A very nice memory also.
February 23, 2025
While looking for a good winter’s read, I discovered this book on my bookshelves, having first read the story in 1990. Being a lifelong resident of the Pacific Northwest, I enjoyed historical references to many areas I am familiar with. The fictional component of the story traces a family’s history connected to the history of the Columbia River, beginning over 9,000 years ago and ending in the 20th century. I really love the story and will probably be rereading this saga again in the future.
September 8, 2015
Started out slow and ended sort of vaguely. But the meat of this historical novel was right on! Love to read stories of the place I now live and the river I have a personal relationship w/, having swum a cross it 11 times!
November 1, 2022
I found a mass-market used paperback of this book in a used book store in Bend, which made for a delightfully nostalgic reading experience. This is a multi-generational historical fiction tale of the Pacific Northwest. I enjoyed the beginning more than the end. I especially disliked Isaac. It is also sad that most of the travails experienced within the last 250 years have not been resolved and in some instances are worse now than then. :(
April 13, 2020
Excellent! Loved it, although the cover looked dull proving 'you should never judge abook by it' cover! It was very well written the story showing what life and the world is all about - thought provoking and deeply emotional at times
August 17, 2020
Excellent book on the history of the Columbia River & it's people.
November 20, 2025
Lovely book
September 7, 2011
This was one of a couple of historical fiction stories that my father encouraged me to read. I loved this so much that I'll have to read it again...several times.
October 10, 2011
Very excellent historical novel follows the people who lived on the Columbia river from 9000 years ago until the present.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews