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The Buffalo Soldier
From the bestselling and critically acclaimed author of Midwives and Trans-Sister Radio comes a hauntingly beautiful story of the ties that bind families—and the strains that pull them apart.
In northern Vermont, a raging river overflows its banks and sweeps the nine-year-old twin daughters of Terry and Laura Sheldon to their deaths. In the aftermath of the tragedy, the highway patrolman and his wife, unable to have more children, take in a foster a ten-year-old African-American boy who has been shuttled for years between foster families and group homes. Young Alfred cautiously enters the Sheldon family circle, barely willing to hope that he might find a permanent home among these kind people still distracted by grief.
Across the street from the Sheldons live an older couple who take Alfred under their wing, and it is they who introduce him to the history of the buffalo soldiers—African-American cavalry troopers whose reputation for integrity, honor, and personal responsibility inspires the child.
Before life has a chance to settle down, however, Terry, who has never been unfaithful to Laura, finds himself attracted to the solace offered by another woman. Their encounter, brief as it is, leaves her pregnant with his baby—a child Terry suddenly realizes he urgently wants.
From these fitful lives emerges a lyrical and richly textured story, one that explores the meaning of marriage, the bonds between parents and children, and the relationships that cause a community to become a family. But The Buffalo Soldier is also a tale of breathtaking power and profound moral complexity—and exactly the sort of novel readers have come to expect from Chris Bohjalian.
In northern Vermont, a raging river overflows its banks and sweeps the nine-year-old twin daughters of Terry and Laura Sheldon to their deaths. In the aftermath of the tragedy, the highway patrolman and his wife, unable to have more children, take in a foster a ten-year-old African-American boy who has been shuttled for years between foster families and group homes. Young Alfred cautiously enters the Sheldon family circle, barely willing to hope that he might find a permanent home among these kind people still distracted by grief.
Across the street from the Sheldons live an older couple who take Alfred under their wing, and it is they who introduce him to the history of the buffalo soldiers—African-American cavalry troopers whose reputation for integrity, honor, and personal responsibility inspires the child.
Before life has a chance to settle down, however, Terry, who has never been unfaithful to Laura, finds himself attracted to the solace offered by another woman. Their encounter, brief as it is, leaves her pregnant with his baby—a child Terry suddenly realizes he urgently wants.
From these fitful lives emerges a lyrical and richly textured story, one that explores the meaning of marriage, the bonds between parents and children, and the relationships that cause a community to become a family. But The Buffalo Soldier is also a tale of breathtaking power and profound moral complexity—and exactly the sort of novel readers have come to expect from Chris Bohjalian.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2002
297 people are currently reading
6046 people want to read
About the author
Chris Bohjalian
46 books13k followersChris Bohjalian is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of 25 books. His 25th book, THE JACKAL’S MISTRESS, is now on sale. He writes literary fiction, historical fiction, thrillers, and (on occasion) ghost stories. His goal is never to write the same book twice. He has published somewhere in the neighborhood of 3.5 million words.
His work has been translated into 35 languages and become three movies (MIDWIVES, SECRETS OF EDEN, and PAST THE BLEACHERS) and an Emmy-winning TV series (THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT). He has two other novels in development for TV series as well.
He is also a playwright, including THE CLUB in 2024; MIDWIVES in 2020; and GROUNDED (now WINGSPAN) in 2018.
His books have been chosen as Best Books of the Year by the Washington Post, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Hartford Courant, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, Bookpage, and Salon.
His awards include the Walter Cerf Medal for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts; the Sarah Josefa Hale Award; the ANCA Freedom Award for his work educating Americans about the Armenian Genocide; the ANCA Arts and Letters Award for THE SANDCASTLE GIRLS, as well as the Saint Mesrob Mashdots Medal; the New England Society Book Award for THE NIGHT STRANGERS; the New England Book Award; Russia’s Soglasie (Concord) Award for THE SANDCASTLE GIRLS; a Boston Public Library Literary Light; a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award for TRANS-SISTER RADIO; a Best Lifestyle Column for “Idyll Banter” from the Vermont Press Association; and the Anahid Literary Award. His short story, SLOT MACHINE FEVER DREAMS was a finalist for Best Short Story from the International Thriller Writers Association and the audio production was an Audie Finalist. His novel, MIDWVES was a selection of Oprah’s Book Club, and his novel, HOUR OF THE WITCH, was a Barnes & Noble Book Club pick. He is a Fellow of the Vermont Academy of Arts and Sciences.
He has written for a wide variety of magazines and newspapers, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, Cosmopolitan, Reader’s Digest, and The Boston Globe Sunday Magazine. He was a weekly columnist in Vermont for The Burlington Free Press from 1992 through 2015.
Chris graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude from Amherst College. He has been awarded Honorary Degrees as well from Amherst, Champlain College, and Castleton University.
He lives in Vermont with his wife, the photographer Victoria Blewer.
His work has been translated into 35 languages and become three movies (MIDWIVES, SECRETS OF EDEN, and PAST THE BLEACHERS) and an Emmy-winning TV series (THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT). He has two other novels in development for TV series as well.
He is also a playwright, including THE CLUB in 2024; MIDWIVES in 2020; and GROUNDED (now WINGSPAN) in 2018.
His books have been chosen as Best Books of the Year by the Washington Post, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Hartford Courant, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, Bookpage, and Salon.
His awards include the Walter Cerf Medal for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts; the Sarah Josefa Hale Award; the ANCA Freedom Award for his work educating Americans about the Armenian Genocide; the ANCA Arts and Letters Award for THE SANDCASTLE GIRLS, as well as the Saint Mesrob Mashdots Medal; the New England Society Book Award for THE NIGHT STRANGERS; the New England Book Award; Russia’s Soglasie (Concord) Award for THE SANDCASTLE GIRLS; a Boston Public Library Literary Light; a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award for TRANS-SISTER RADIO; a Best Lifestyle Column for “Idyll Banter” from the Vermont Press Association; and the Anahid Literary Award. His short story, SLOT MACHINE FEVER DREAMS was a finalist for Best Short Story from the International Thriller Writers Association and the audio production was an Audie Finalist. His novel, MIDWVES was a selection of Oprah’s Book Club, and his novel, HOUR OF THE WITCH, was a Barnes & Noble Book Club pick. He is a Fellow of the Vermont Academy of Arts and Sciences.
He has written for a wide variety of magazines and newspapers, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, Cosmopolitan, Reader’s Digest, and The Boston Globe Sunday Magazine. He was a weekly columnist in Vermont for The Burlington Free Press from 1992 through 2015.
Chris graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude from Amherst College. He has been awarded Honorary Degrees as well from Amherst, Champlain College, and Castleton University.
He lives in Vermont with his wife, the photographer Victoria Blewer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 665 reviews
February 22, 2015
Grief-stricken over the drowning deaths of their twin daughters two years back, Laura and Terry take on a black foster son named Alfred in rural Vermont. Laura has been in a trance-like state since the drownings and believes the boy can help them, or at least her. Unfortunately, Terry thinks the same, that the boy is more for her sake than his. Therein lies the root of an emerging chasm in their marriage. Terry doesn't think he needs this boy nor does he make much effort to get to know or like him. Terry is tired of depressed Laura, poo hoo poor Terry, and just as she is finally coming out of it a bit, he decides to do something, things actually, to further hurt their relationship.
So sad what grief can do to people, especially, as someone told Laura, if the husband and wife grieve differently, as they did. Also you see the prejudice against foster kids, and in this case I think it might have been there whether the boy was white or black. The older couple across the street was a godsend to the plot and the family. When they acquire a horse no longer wanted by its owner, little Alfred identifies with it as if another foster child in the same boat.
The last 60 pages were just strikingly well done and turned the book from average to pretty amazing to me. Bohjalian can always be relied on to hit it out of the ballpark. 4.5 stars.
So sad what grief can do to people, especially, as someone told Laura, if the husband and wife grieve differently, as they did. Also you see the prejudice against foster kids, and in this case I think it might have been there whether the boy was white or black. The older couple across the street was a godsend to the plot and the family. When they acquire a horse no longer wanted by its owner, little Alfred identifies with it as if another foster child in the same boat.
The last 60 pages were just strikingly well done and turned the book from average to pretty amazing to me. Bohjalian can always be relied on to hit it out of the ballpark. 4.5 stars.
November 25, 2016
Probably my least favourite of his books so far and yet I really enjoyed it.
January 19, 2010
I hate to let a "c'mon...really?" ending take away from what is otherwise a lush and engaging portrayal of a foster family's shuffling progress. I can't imagine a foster child story that doesn't explore the theme of how disparate people become a family, but Bohjalian takes it a step further. He explores not only how a young child and parent come to be a family, but how one's needs as an adult child, spouse, sibling, or grandparent aren't always met by the person who "should" fill that role. The characters, each in their own way, supplant cold, distant relatives with warm, caring, and present people in their lives. Of course, finding someone to act like a supportive grandfather has different consequences than being drawn to a stand-in for your spouse. But as the characters struggle to define "family" for themselves, they come to a deeper and more meaningful understanding of the concept.
(Next paragraphs get SPOILERY, just FYI.)
My major complaint is that the book opens with a natural disaster that kills two girls. It ends with the exact same natural disaster threatening to rip apart all these newly created families. The adopted son rescues the man who has been reluctant to become his father, so they finally form a bond.
The other Bohjalian books I've read have centered around court cases, which provide a natural build up, climax, and ending. The daring rescue during the flood doesn't seem to flow (ha) as easily from the rest of the story. Contrived ending aside, though, I enjoyed this book and will definitely read more by Chris Bohjalian.
(Next paragraphs get SPOILERY, just FYI.)
My major complaint is that the book opens with a natural disaster that kills two girls. It ends with the exact same natural disaster threatening to rip apart all these newly created families. The adopted son rescues the man who has been reluctant to become his father, so they finally form a bond.
The other Bohjalian books I've read have centered around court cases, which provide a natural build up, climax, and ending. The daring rescue during the flood doesn't seem to flow (ha) as easily from the rest of the story. Contrived ending aside, though, I enjoyed this book and will definitely read more by Chris Bohjalian.
September 7, 2010
I found this book a bit slow to get into at first. There is a lot of backstory and a lot of description, which is nice -- but once I'm already invested in a story. I didn't really start caring about the characters until at least halfway through, and then I was mad at the dumb choices some of the characters had made. However, I really wanted to know how everything worked out for everyone by the end, so I started really getting into it by the last third of the book.
I have a few quibbles with the novel itself. For one, I didn't really see what the blurbs regarding the buffalo soldiers that headed each chapter really had to do with this modern story. It was interesting to read, for sure, but there didn't seem to be enough of a connection. It would have been nice if Alfred had revealed more information as he read the book on the buffalo soldiers that the Heberts had bought him, instead of simply assuring Paul at one point that he had indeed finally finished the book. Also, I did not like that Bohjalian chose not to use quotation marks when his characters spoke. I find that literary affectation particularly annoying. Why not refuse to use commas and periods then?
I have a few quibbles with the novel itself. For one, I didn't really see what the blurbs regarding the buffalo soldiers that headed each chapter really had to do with this modern story. It was interesting to read, for sure, but there didn't seem to be enough of a connection. It would have been nice if Alfred had revealed more information as he read the book on the buffalo soldiers that the Heberts had bought him, instead of simply assuring Paul at one point that he had indeed finally finished the book. Also, I did not like that Bohjalian chose not to use quotation marks when his characters spoke. I find that literary affectation particularly annoying. Why not refuse to use commas and periods then?
May 27, 2021
Before my GR days.
August 29, 2017
The blurb was off-putting, but I am reading from the bottom of my TBR pile, and I was pleasantly surprised. Nothing earth shattering, but a decent read.
January 29, 2025
Maybe even 3.5, but I couldn't quite bring myself to grant 4 stars. Solid family drama set in Vermont. I really liked the complexities in the plot and the device of opening chapters with first person narratives from the historical record, but there were some clunky gaps in characters that went nowhere and the ending felt very abrupt to me.
April 5, 2009
This was the most amazing book. The characters were so vivid and engaging I would miss them and wonder what they were doing while I was at work. Parallel tracks: each chapter begins with a quotation from a diary of one of the "buffalo soldiers" (black cavalry soldiers who fought the Indians post civil war in the west)These are followed by a chapter told by one of the contemporary characters. The modern story revolves around a couple, Laura and Terry, who live in Cornish VT, and have lost their twin daughters in an accidental drowning. They take in a black, 10 year old foster child, Alfred, (the modern buffalo soldier), who has spent his life in the city moving from one foster home to another. As they grapple with their grief, Alfred struggles to belong in this totally white, rural community. Laura is fragile from the ravages of her grief. Terry, a state trooper, starts an affair with a woman he meets while away hunting. A retired college professor and his wife who live across the road, take an interest in the boy and when they buy a horse and Alfred learns to ride Alfred finds something he loves (and becomes a "buffalo soldier". The ending is unexpected and uplifting.
Having spent a lot of time in Middlebury VT I found the descriptions of the Addison county landscape very detailed and accurate. A great read.
Having spent a lot of time in Middlebury VT I found the descriptions of the Addison county landscape very detailed and accurate. A great read.
August 25, 2011
In "The Buffalo Soldier", author Chris Bohjalian gives the reader two stories for the price of one: the first story being that of Terry and Laura Sheldon and their foster child Alfred, and the second being the story of George Rowe, "the buffalo soldier." Just as the circumstances and emotions surrounding the Sheldon girls' tragic deaths is a constant theme throughout the novel, so is the story of the buffalo soldiers. Perhaps it was because I listened to this novel on audio, but it is not apparent at first how the two stories are symbolically connected - and at times (again, possibly due to the audio format), the quotes from Rowe seemed to be distracting from the story itself.
The weather, the cold, and the presence of water (in all its forms - rain, the river, etc.) are also key symbolic elements that are an integral part of this novel. It is set in late fall and winter, so the Vermont landscape is often depicted as very cold and gloomy. Such is also the case for the marriage of Terry and Laura Sheldon following the deaths of their daughters. The reader isn't given much of a glimpse into the Sheldons' marriage prior to this incident, but understandably so, the couple deals with their emotions to their shared tragedy in separate ways. Bohjalian portrays the emotions experienced by the wife, Laura, extremely well; his portrayal of 10-year Alfred is also exceptionally well-done.
Much of the writing in "The Buffalo Soldier" is well-done. Bohjalian shines in his descriptions of the landscape, and the interactions between Laura and Alfred as well as Alfred and the retired college professor and his wife who live across the street, are beautifully brought to life. I did not care much for Terry or Phoebe, which may have been the reaction that Bohjalian hoped to arose in his readers. The story does fall short in its ending. The drama that fills the climatic scenes in the book are believable, but the resolution of the conflict in the story absolutely is not. It's wrapped up hastily (as if there was a page limit that was foisted upon the author) and too neatly - a little too "movie-of-the-week"-ish. With all the complexities that each character carries, they - and the reader - needed something more. Overall, I liked the novel and will certainly read more of Bohjalian's work as he is a talented writer.
The weather, the cold, and the presence of water (in all its forms - rain, the river, etc.) are also key symbolic elements that are an integral part of this novel. It is set in late fall and winter, so the Vermont landscape is often depicted as very cold and gloomy. Such is also the case for the marriage of Terry and Laura Sheldon following the deaths of their daughters. The reader isn't given much of a glimpse into the Sheldons' marriage prior to this incident, but understandably so, the couple deals with their emotions to their shared tragedy in separate ways. Bohjalian portrays the emotions experienced by the wife, Laura, extremely well; his portrayal of 10-year Alfred is also exceptionally well-done.
Much of the writing in "The Buffalo Soldier" is well-done. Bohjalian shines in his descriptions of the landscape, and the interactions between Laura and Alfred as well as Alfred and the retired college professor and his wife who live across the street, are beautifully brought to life. I did not care much for Terry or Phoebe, which may have been the reaction that Bohjalian hoped to arose in his readers. The story does fall short in its ending. The drama that fills the climatic scenes in the book are believable, but the resolution of the conflict in the story absolutely is not. It's wrapped up hastily (as if there was a page limit that was foisted upon the author) and too neatly - a little too "movie-of-the-week"-ish. With all the complexities that each character carries, they - and the reader - needed something more. Overall, I liked the novel and will certainly read more of Bohjalian's work as he is a talented writer.
January 24, 2023
4-1/2 stars for a compelling family drama. I thought I'd read all of Chris Bohjalian's novels, but it seems I somehow missed this one, and it's one of his best. Terry and Laura Sheldon are happily married, enjoying life with their 9-year old twin girls, when tragedy strikes. Still grieving their loss, each in their own way, they agree to take in a foster child, a 10-year-old Black boy who's been bounced from one foster home to another through no fault of his own. The developing relationship with Alfred, the ongoing stress between Terry and Laura, other family drama, and the positive influence of an older neighbor couple are all portrayed in vivid prose that brought each character to life and kept the suspense high. Can this marriage survive? Will Alfred once again find himself cast out? I didn't want to put this book down until my questions were answered.
April 21, 2021
Another literary work of art by one of my favorite 🤩 authors ( you can count them on one hand). This book tells the saga of Laura and Terry Sheldon who lose their twin daughters in a tragic natural disaster. Two years after the loss, Laura and Terry become foster parents to a young black child named Alfred, who unfortunately has been shuttled from one family or group home to another. Fortunately for Alfred, the neighbors across the road take a keen interest in Alfred who develops an interest in horseback riding and in The Buffalo Soldiers as a result. A loss as profound as the Sheldons can wreak havoc in a marriage as Laura and Terry are about to find out.
February 7, 2017
A family in turmoil after their two twin daughters drowned in a storm. Two years later they take in a foster child.
Adjustment is hard.
Trust is even harder.
A neighbor sees an opportunity in introducing the boy to a horse. He excels.
Another storm and the boy goes above and beyond to prove himself.
An Unforgettable story
Adjustment is hard.
Trust is even harder.
A neighbor sees an opportunity in introducing the boy to a horse. He excels.
Another storm and the boy goes above and beyond to prove himself.
An Unforgettable story
August 1, 2018
What a marvelous book! I enjoyed every paragraph. How in the world does he inhabit his characters' skins like that?
April 4, 2025
Good book. I thoroughly enjoyed this story.
April 5, 2025
As with Mr. Bohjalian's previous Novels he uses historical facts upon which to base his characters.
Buffalo Soldier was a term of endearment and respect from the American Indians on black soldiers in the West.
Buffalo Soldier was a term of endearment and respect from the American Indians on black soldiers in the West.
March 10, 2009
I had avoided this book since it was given to me a few years back, from a suspect source and at a suspect time--just as I had helped some thoughtful and talented writers and editors usher a rare book on transracial adoption, from the standpoint of the adoptees, into print.
I only read it now because of the dearth of fiction on my shelves and my reluctance to venture into sleeting rain to go to the library, however infinite my "to-read" shelf already is.
The first star was simply to register my rating. The second star was for diaphanous and tumescent. (Ok, he didn't use tumescent, but I thought of it while reading, so I thought it counted.) But, for others than the Vermonters who will certainly enjoy the sense of familiarity in reading such intimate details of their landscape, this is a book to be avoided.
Besides the 2-dimensional characters, particularly the women, but, to be fair, most of the men as well, there is the unbounded arrogance of the author in thinking he can, unaided, inhabit and portray the mind of a 10-year-old black boy. Or even his physical being. (His hair, we are to believe, from his mouth, never gets messed up, and the buffalo soldiers' hair in general was despised by the Indians who found it difficult, due to its length, to obtain a scalp. Yes, he did. Bohjalian, I mean. And if you don't believe it's arrogance, turn to the acknowledgments. The author has thanked all sorts of "experts" on foster kids and everything else in the book--except any foster kids, or 10-year-old boys, or black children, themselves. Of course.
Then, of course, is the facile release of accountability for the "parents" of the fetus conceived during the supposed-to-be-one-time extramarital affair of the non-father to our black foster child, (possibly the only foster child, as intimated by his social worker, who hasn't stolen from his foster parents). The "mother" gets to allow the "father" out of any relationship, social, financial, spiritual, whatever, as if it were hers to decide, and the "father," despite his former avowal that he would do right by the child-to-come, gets to walk away. No matter that having children in this society is the biggest predictor of poverty. No matter that the child-to-come will someday have needs neither of the parents can anticipate. All in the service of the happy ending. Happy white couple that has weathered the storm (literally) that has taken their "biologic" (weird construction and one I've never confronted before in reading on adoption etc) children from them and each other from themselves gets to save the little black boy from himself. Ahh, all is right in this world.
And why did I choose to read this on International Women's Day (or at least the day off the holiday provided)? Poor planning, folks. Never again.
I only read it now because of the dearth of fiction on my shelves and my reluctance to venture into sleeting rain to go to the library, however infinite my "to-read" shelf already is.
The first star was simply to register my rating. The second star was for diaphanous and tumescent. (Ok, he didn't use tumescent, but I thought of it while reading, so I thought it counted.) But, for others than the Vermonters who will certainly enjoy the sense of familiarity in reading such intimate details of their landscape, this is a book to be avoided.
Besides the 2-dimensional characters, particularly the women, but, to be fair, most of the men as well, there is the unbounded arrogance of the author in thinking he can, unaided, inhabit and portray the mind of a 10-year-old black boy. Or even his physical being. (His hair, we are to believe, from his mouth, never gets messed up, and the buffalo soldiers' hair in general was despised by the Indians who found it difficult, due to its length, to obtain a scalp. Yes, he did. Bohjalian, I mean. And if you don't believe it's arrogance, turn to the acknowledgments. The author has thanked all sorts of "experts" on foster kids and everything else in the book--except any foster kids, or 10-year-old boys, or black children, themselves. Of course.
Then, of course, is the facile release of accountability for the "parents" of the fetus conceived during the supposed-to-be-one-time extramarital affair of the non-father to our black foster child, (possibly the only foster child, as intimated by his social worker, who hasn't stolen from his foster parents). The "mother" gets to allow the "father" out of any relationship, social, financial, spiritual, whatever, as if it were hers to decide, and the "father," despite his former avowal that he would do right by the child-to-come, gets to walk away. No matter that having children in this society is the biggest predictor of poverty. No matter that the child-to-come will someday have needs neither of the parents can anticipate. All in the service of the happy ending. Happy white couple that has weathered the storm (literally) that has taken their "biologic" (weird construction and one I've never confronted before in reading on adoption etc) children from them and each other from themselves gets to save the little black boy from himself. Ahh, all is right in this world.
And why did I choose to read this on International Women's Day (or at least the day off the holiday provided)? Poor planning, folks. Never again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2010
If possible I would have rated this 3.5 stars - it just isn't as good as some of his other books to receive a 4 star rating. With that said, though, as usual, Bohjalian beautifully explores how human relationships are tested by the pressures of life.
The setting is rural Vermont. The focus is on a troubled couple, Laura and Terry Sheldon, whose 9 year old twin daughters die tragically in a flash flood. They are grief-stricken and their sorrow spills over into their marriage, threatening to tear it apart. They then decide to foster a ten-year-old child named Alfred, who is African-American. Alfred is a gentle boy, somewhat removed, and he is hesitant to bond with anyone, since he has been moved around regularly from one home to another over the years.
Bohjalian brilliantly describes the constantly changing dynamics in Laura's and Terry's relationship. Laura seems to relate to the boy while Terry holds back. Fortunately, Alfred is befriended by a wonderful and warm neighbor, Paul Hebert. Paul introduces Alfred to the history of the famed Buffalo soldiers, an African-American regiment that fought in the late 1800's. He also teaches Alfred how to care for and ride a horse. It is heart-warming to watch this reserved child blossom as he begins to form new friendships and as he learns more about himself and his heritage. I actually enjoyed the relationship building between the "grandfatherly" man more than I did the Sheldon's view.
Bohjalian switches perspective from one chapter to the next, which allows us to get an intimate knowledge of what each character thinks and feels. Occasionally, the dialogue is a bit stilted and there are a few scenes that border on the melodramatic and almost unbelievable. I thought the ending was somewhat rushed, predictable and not as satisfying as the care with which the rest of the story was told.
The setting is rural Vermont. The focus is on a troubled couple, Laura and Terry Sheldon, whose 9 year old twin daughters die tragically in a flash flood. They are grief-stricken and their sorrow spills over into their marriage, threatening to tear it apart. They then decide to foster a ten-year-old child named Alfred, who is African-American. Alfred is a gentle boy, somewhat removed, and he is hesitant to bond with anyone, since he has been moved around regularly from one home to another over the years.
Bohjalian brilliantly describes the constantly changing dynamics in Laura's and Terry's relationship. Laura seems to relate to the boy while Terry holds back. Fortunately, Alfred is befriended by a wonderful and warm neighbor, Paul Hebert. Paul introduces Alfred to the history of the famed Buffalo soldiers, an African-American regiment that fought in the late 1800's. He also teaches Alfred how to care for and ride a horse. It is heart-warming to watch this reserved child blossom as he begins to form new friendships and as he learns more about himself and his heritage. I actually enjoyed the relationship building between the "grandfatherly" man more than I did the Sheldon's view.
Bohjalian switches perspective from one chapter to the next, which allows us to get an intimate knowledge of what each character thinks and feels. Occasionally, the dialogue is a bit stilted and there are a few scenes that border on the melodramatic and almost unbelievable. I thought the ending was somewhat rushed, predictable and not as satisfying as the care with which the rest of the story was told.
July 28, 2015
Nobody writes like Chris Bohjalian - or as our book club calls him "Chris B." -- we had difficulty pronouncing his last name when we first discovered his work.
Chris B. (I have difficulty calling him anything else now!) is one of those amazing writers who writes these beautiful, quiet, powerful sentences. He explores each character in such detail that you feel deeply connected to each person. I also respect how thoroughly he researches each subject matter - from the Vermont foster care system to Morgans to the buffalo soldiers. This book especially hit home for me as a volunteer guardian ad litem - I felt for Alfred like I feel for the children I work with. They have been through so many disappointments, but there is such potential and intelligence in these children, and for the most part - the system and the people have given up on them. I liked reading about Alfred and how individuals can change the course of a life of a child in the system.
My favorite part of the book was the quote inserted between each chapter that gave us glimpses (and then, compiled together, presented a story-in-a-story) of the buffalo soldiers, Sgt. George Rowe, and Popping Trees. When I finish a book and feel compelled to read more about the subject matter, I think an author truly succeeds.
Chris B. (I have difficulty calling him anything else now!) is one of those amazing writers who writes these beautiful, quiet, powerful sentences. He explores each character in such detail that you feel deeply connected to each person. I also respect how thoroughly he researches each subject matter - from the Vermont foster care system to Morgans to the buffalo soldiers. This book especially hit home for me as a volunteer guardian ad litem - I felt for Alfred like I feel for the children I work with. They have been through so many disappointments, but there is such potential and intelligence in these children, and for the most part - the system and the people have given up on them. I liked reading about Alfred and how individuals can change the course of a life of a child in the system.
My favorite part of the book was the quote inserted between each chapter that gave us glimpses (and then, compiled together, presented a story-in-a-story) of the buffalo soldiers, Sgt. George Rowe, and Popping Trees. When I finish a book and feel compelled to read more about the subject matter, I think an author truly succeeds.
December 18, 2015
Once of the things I enjoy most as a reader is emotional tension. Bohjalian is a master of it. By setting up the relationships among his characters--and making the reader care about them--he creates suspense around the smallest of actions. "The Buffalo Soldier" is no exception. And, as an added bonus (for me) he tells the story in alternating-point-of-view chapters.
This novel begins with a horrific event--the death by drowning of Terry and Laura's young twin daughters--and explores what happens to parents and to a marriage in the aftermath. A couple of years after the tragedy, Terry and Laura begin fostering a 10-year-old African American boy. As they grow closer to him, the stakes rise. Will an ill-considered and impetuous act cost Terry not only his marriage but his relationship with the boy? Will Laura and Terry stay together? Will Alfred be shipped off to yet another unsatisfactory foster home? The novel unfolds with sometimes excruciating (in a good way) inevitability, as we watch the characters struggle with themselves and each other. Despite its focus on subtle interpersonal connections, "The Buffalo Soldier" ends with surprising and nail-biting action that perfectly matches the emotional tone established from the beginning.
This novel begins with a horrific event--the death by drowning of Terry and Laura's young twin daughters--and explores what happens to parents and to a marriage in the aftermath. A couple of years after the tragedy, Terry and Laura begin fostering a 10-year-old African American boy. As they grow closer to him, the stakes rise. Will an ill-considered and impetuous act cost Terry not only his marriage but his relationship with the boy? Will Laura and Terry stay together? Will Alfred be shipped off to yet another unsatisfactory foster home? The novel unfolds with sometimes excruciating (in a good way) inevitability, as we watch the characters struggle with themselves and each other. Despite its focus on subtle interpersonal connections, "The Buffalo Soldier" ends with surprising and nail-biting action that perfectly matches the emotional tone established from the beginning.
March 19, 2009
Terry and Laura Sheldon are grieving over the death of their twin daughters in a flash flood and it's a strain on their marriage. They decide to foster a 10 year old African American boy. Laura and Alfred begin to bond, but Terry can't seem to relate to him. Terry has a love affair which threatens to destroy their marriage. Neighbors of the Sheldons, Alice and Paul Hebert, are drawn to Alfred and Paul gives him a book about the Buffalo Soldiers, an African American Army regiment during the Civil War.
Buffalo Soldier is a fascinating read. The characters are well-drawn and believable. Every chapter ends with a passage from the journal of a real Buffalo Soldier and those passages help the reader learn more about the history of the regiment, but they also parallel what is going on in Alfred's life. Laura, Alfred, Alice and Paul are strong likable characters, but I didn't like Terry very well. The book was intriguing all the way through, but the ending seemed a little rushed, as if the author tired of telling the story and just wanted it to end. The ending also seemed a little "pat. Other than that, I highly recommend "Buffalo Soldier.
Buffalo Soldier is a fascinating read. The characters are well-drawn and believable. Every chapter ends with a passage from the journal of a real Buffalo Soldier and those passages help the reader learn more about the history of the regiment, but they also parallel what is going on in Alfred's life. Laura, Alfred, Alice and Paul are strong likable characters, but I didn't like Terry very well. The book was intriguing all the way through, but the ending seemed a little rushed, as if the author tired of telling the story and just wanted it to end. The ending also seemed a little "pat. Other than that, I highly recommend "Buffalo Soldier.
August 2, 2013
The Buffalo Soldier was certainly a good character book. Bohjalian gave us a number of well-rounded characters. The internal conflict of struggling with loss is a major issue in the book as we watch Terry and Laura try to recover from the devastating deaths of their twin girls. Enter a young black boy who is also scarred from years of traveling from foster home to foster home. Where Terry and Laura's fears are how they will continue to accept their changed lives, Alfred's fear is if Terry and Laura will accept him. Compound the situation with an outsider, Phoebe, who will complicate the development of a new family unit.
Besides the internal struggles, we observe the community's struggle with change (a black boy in a predominate white society)as well as the outside forces of nature (floods)that continue to rampage the mountainous area.
I had a couple of concerns which I cannot discuss in detail or I will ruin the story for the reader. I did feel that the ending was not paced well. It was too quick and somewhat too tidy. I also was unhappy with the final situation involving Terry. It was hard to see his redeeming qualities. Enough said without destroying the plot.
Besides the internal struggles, we observe the community's struggle with change (a black boy in a predominate white society)as well as the outside forces of nature (floods)that continue to rampage the mountainous area.
I had a couple of concerns which I cannot discuss in detail or I will ruin the story for the reader. I did feel that the ending was not paced well. It was too quick and somewhat too tidy. I also was unhappy with the final situation involving Terry. It was hard to see his redeeming qualities. Enough said without destroying the plot.
March 28, 2009
This is an interesting book about a couple who suffer a terrible and unexpected loss that rends their family, the different ways they both respond to that loss, and their attempt to move forward and build a new family by taking in a foster child that they may later adopt. The portrait of the young couple working through these difficulties is contrasted with that of their neighbors, an older retired couple who have apparently weathered the stresses that can destroy the closest of marriages. The older man befriends the wary 10 year old African American foster child who has been transplanted from a black urban setting to this while small town Vermont town. The portrait of Alfred, the young boy, is realistic and convincing, and provides real insight into the world of a foster child. Your heart aches for him as he tries to negotiate this strange new world and the 2 strangers into whose home he has been placed. You root for this unlikely trio to succeed in forming a family! A good read.
November 29, 2011
As usual, Bohjalian writes about the North East Kingdom so I would enjoy those references even if I didn’t also love the book. A white family takes in a 10 year old black foster child two years after the death of their 9 year old twin girls. The father has a hard time relating to the child, the mother embraces the child and begins to come out of her depression, the child is always waiting for the bottom to fall out as in all his other placements. In the meantime, the child, Alfred, bonds with an elderly couple and learns about the Buffalo Soldiers from a book that the Paul, the neighbor, gives to Alfred. I would have loved this novel anyway, but there was the extra bonus of before each chapter there are a couple of paragraphs written as if they were taken from the archives of the US Calvary regarding the extraordinarily brave black buffalo soldiers.
August 4, 2014
Okay, I admit that I'm primed to like any book that Chris Bohjalian writes. But this book really touched my heart, and it was breaking for several of the characters. And somewhere along in the book I was almost hoping that one of the characters would die in a crash or something. I can't imagine what a couple must endure when they loose a child, much less two children in a terrible flood. That's what Laura and Terry have been struggling with when they take in a foster child, a ten-year-old, black boy who has been shuffled around so many times he has withdrawn almost completely into himself. He is the only black student in a rural Vermont town, which doesn't help him much. But he has a good heart and wants to be liked. Fortunately, there are several people who help him and the Sheldons. I loved this book!
July 30, 2012
Very uplifting account of a marriage recovering after the drowning of their twin daughters. Bohjalian as usual provides a vivid account of the rhythms of life in rural in northern Vermont, with the narrative told by each of his characters in turn. The couple, Terry, a state trooper, and, Laura, who runs an animal shelter, have achieved a fair accommodation to the tragedy two years later. However, the taking in of a black 10-year old boy, Alfred, into foster care, among other events, begins to shake things up again. A retired neighbor introduces the boy to the care and riding of his horse and to the courage and ethos of the Buffalo Soldiers, a black Army cavalry troop that served in the West after the Civil War. The boy's resilence and courage is the foundation for heart wrenching conclusion and turnaround at the end of this satisfying story.
February 26, 2009
Bohjalian has written a touching, sometimes heart-wrenching story of a couple who experienced the tragic deaths of their twin daughters.After a long period of grieving, they consent to take in a foster child, a little black boy, named Alfred. The author sensitively approaches the topic of foster care, particularly in an interracial arrangement.Although members of this small, close-knit community exhibited care and concern regarding the couple's loss, they are less kind to Alfred's situation. His thoughts and his experiences in his short life are vividly described. The struggles of his foster parents are certainly obvious and sad, but sometimes frustrating for the reader, especially in reference to their behaviors toward Alfred.
December 9, 2013
The characters in this book became very real people to me--some I loved and others not so much. The connection of the present to the 1870's and the Buffalo Soldiers was wonderful. This is my first Chris Bohjalian book, but it won't be my last. I didn't especially like the author's style when the characters spoke; I couldn't always tell there was a conversation. That's the only reason I wouldn't give this one a five rating. Thanks again to my friend Ruth for recommending it and lending me her book.
June 29, 2012
I liked this story a lot. The author has one little annoying quirk with his writing style but I won't tell you what it is and maybe you won't notice. Each chapter is written from the perspective of a different character which worked very well. The story is about a young white couple in Vermont who lose their 9-year old twin daughters in a flood and two years later take in a black 10-year old boy as a foster child. Good, good, good.
November 27, 2018
This was a great time to read this novel, considering how wet and rainy our year has been in this region. Bohjalian made Vermont feel both beautiful and dangerous and I always want to visit after reading his books. I loved Alfred and felt very protective of him throughout. So young, but he had already experienced so much in his often-transient life. Laura I empathized with as well, but found it very difficult to understand Terry or Phoebe and their actions.
March 26, 2019
The small details of ordinary lives are fully explored in this novel of a family struggling with grief, a foster child and new relationships. While it started off somewhat slowly, I was ripping through this by the end, never realizing when I steamed past page 400. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
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