The Bridge of the Gods a Romance of Indian Oregon

by Frederic Homer Balch, L. Maynard Dixon (Illustrator)

""The Bridge of the A Romance of Indian Oregon"" is a novel written by F.H. Balch. The book is set in the Pacific Northwest and tells the story of two Native American tribes, the Klickitats and the Cascades. The novel follows the life of a young Klickitat woman named Princess Loowit, who falls in love with a Cascade warrior named Wy'East. However, their love is forbidden due to the longstanding feud between their tribes. The story takes place during a time when the gods were believed to walk the earth, and the Bridge of the Gods, a natural bridge over the Columbia River, was said to be the place where the gods crossed from one side to the other. The novel weaves together elements of mythology, romance, and adventure as Princess Loowit and Wy'East struggle to find a way to be together despite the odds against them.""The Bridge of the Gods"" is a classic piece of Pacific Northwest literature, and it offers a unique perspective on the history and culture of the region's Native American tribes. The novel is a captivating read that will appeal to anyone who enjoys a good love story, as well as those interested in the history and mythology of the Pacific Northwest.1890. In The Bridge of the Gods Balch combines imagination, fact and legend to write this fictionalized romance. In the book Balch The chief of the Willamettes gathered on Wappatto Island, from time immemorial the council ground of the tribes. The white man has changed its name to Sauvie Island; but its wonderful beauty is unchangeable. Lying at the mouth of the Willamette River and extending many miles down the Columbia, rich in wide meadows and crystal lakes, its interior dotted with majestic oaks and its shores fringed with cottonwoods, around it the blue and sweeping rivers, the wooded hills, and the far white snow peaks, it is the most picturesque spot in Oregon.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Westerns, Indian Literature

296 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1890

About the author

1861-1891

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was our October 2019 Bookclub selection. I learned a great deal about our local native Indian lore. This very old book tells the story of the “first” white missionary to arrive in the Sauvie Island (Wappato) area at the mouth of the Willamette River on the Colombia River, and the legend surrounding the Bridge of the Gods and the chief of the Willamette tribes, Multnomah. The missionary falls in love with Multnomah’s daughter. The Bridge of the God’s is destroyed during an eruption of Mt. Hood.

While reading this book I found myself researching the geology of this area. Frederic Balch, a very young author, was obviously a scholar of his time.

[Moonkiszt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both the book and author have me captivated. I've read this book a number of times, but this time, in particular I was deep into the story of the quandary of the Willamette tribes, and their frustration with whites. My heart ached for everyone in the story - Chief Multnomah, and his daughter Wallulah, a mixed race person from an Asiatic princess mother headed for foreign marriage who, along with her dowry treasures were long-ago shipwrecked on the Pacific Northwest coast. And the intense, spiritual missionary come on his own to save the Native peoples with Christianity, who finds he has to make a choice he never thought he'd be faced with. . . .and so many more characters worthy of close attention.

But the setting . . . it is home to me. The crash that brought that bridge down, on the heels of volcanic actions was surely felt by and shook up the land on which my house sits, centuries before this night I write. I think of the peoples who inhabited my home, who thought of it as their birthright, their gift from God almost every single day. This book, weaves fiction, legends, and tangible elements into a song that my heart hears.

The author is of interest, too. He wanted to write so many books, and make Oregon and its environs as famous as Paris one day. . .yet tuberculosis ended him at age 35. He's worthy of further review - http://www.ochcom.org/pdf/Frederic-Ba...

It's a good read if any of these are in your interest area, written in 1902, so put your 1902 hat on for the context differentiation. I'm putting this up on my shelf right next to Ramona. . .

[Lacey Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had extremely low expectations when I picked this book up at an antique store, but I was driven to make time for it pretty often once I started. I also learned a bit and loved being able to identify words and famous Native American names throughout the PNW.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This tragic story of a love triangle is based, in part, on the Indian legend of the stone arch that once spanned the Columbia River. Although somewhat dated, it offers an authentic portrayal of Indian life. Highly recommended for readers of Oregon history.

[April Kniess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the book to be an easy reader. Thoroughly enjoy historical fiction. I particularly enjoyed The Bridge of the Gods because I live here in Oregon and I was interested in the Indian legend of the bridge across the Columbia River. So many familiar names of Oregon rivers, water falls and towns were mentioned. The love story of the Indian maiden to the white faced man was both touching and tragic.

[Denise Spicer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting historical fiction set in early Pacific Northwest. A Christian pastor and an Indian girl who is betrothed to a Chief have a tragic love affair. Not based on actual facts but rather a romanticized version of the Indian legend of the Bridge of the Gods crossing the Columbia River between Washington and Oregon. Quick read with interesting characters and setting. Regional fiction.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of a love triangle. Of the Multnomah's and beauty and heartache Of tribes at war and more. of the dress, food, and lifestyle of the people of the Pacific Northwest before many white men came into it.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as a kid more times than I can remember; I don't remember much detail now, but I remember clearly how much I loved it, so I will have to give it 5 stars.

[Jane Wetzel · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was most interesting to read some true facts regarding how the native Indians of our region actually lived. Many facts were presented in this fictional story. Frederick H. Balch spent much of his young life visiting with the local Indians and listening to their traditions and stories.