Grace At Spirit Lake

by Colin Mustful

Along the wintry landscape of a pristine and hopeful frontier, tragedy struck and strife followed.

Joseph Campbell is a thirty-one year old, mixed-breed interpreter who finds himself helplessly intertwined in the real life actions, events, and people of a harrowing, but largely unknown struggle in the history of Minnesota. Joseph grew up along the expanding western frontier and he developed an intimacy for the people and places along with a deep seated knowledge of the varying cultures and languages. Following a massacre incited by Inkpaduta and the Wahpekute Indians in March of 1857, Joseph becomes torn between his duties as a U.S. Interpreter and his deep understanding, compassion, and kinship ties for his Dakota brethren. Joseph struggles desperately to uphold the rights of the Indians while at the same time seeking to capture and punish the guilty party. All the while, Joseph discovers a brooding conflict within himself that he longs to understand and finally overcome.

219 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 30, 2014

About the author

Colin Mustful writes a unique cross-genre utilizing elements of fiction and nonfiction in order to tell compelling stories that inform and entertain.  The author’s work focusses on the tragic and complicated history surrounding the largely unknown and misunderstood event of the U.S. – Dakota War of 1862.  Using a variety of sources, author Colin Mustful objectively considers this important part of Minnesota history through multiple perspectives and necessary historical context.  The result is an educational narrative that includes fictional drama and a thought-provoking story.

In addition to his novels, the author has written several essays that delve into the subjugation and genocide of the Native American as well as the reasoning and justifications for such actions by those who have sought to expel, erase, and destroy western indigenous cultures. One such work includes the author’s Master’s Thesis entitled, The Generation of 1837: Attitudes, Policies, and Actions Toward Indian Populations of Argentina. This particular work analyzes the extinguishment of Pampas Indians throughout the nineteenth century as influenced and justified through the words and works of a group of political and intellectual elite known as the Generation of 1837. Regarding the Dakota Indians of Minnesota, the author has completed several works such as an essay entitled,Unwarranted Expulsion: The Removal of the Winnebago Indians. This work discusses the exile of the Winnebago Indians from the state of Minnesota as a result of the Dakota War despite their very limited involvement in the conflict. The author has also completed a work titled, A Welcome Tragedy: Factors that Led to the U.S.-Dakota Conflict of 1862 in which the author concludes that the U.S.-Dakota War was the foreseeable result of years of misconduct, fraud and exploitation which was fostered by a corrupt Indian system.

Colin Mustful resides in Roseville, Minnesota and has a Master of Arts in History from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Currently, he is studying for a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Augsburg University.  In addition to writing, Colin is an avid soccer player and a frequent marathoner.
Colin Mustful resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota and has a Master of Arts in History from Minnesota State University, Mankato. In addition to writing, Colin is an avid soccer player and a frequent marathoner.

Reviews

[Visionary Impart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace At Spirit Lake is a powerful and deeply human historical novel that brings a little-known chapter of Minnesota’s past to life. Colin Mustful skillfully explores cultural conflict, moral struggle, and identity through the compelling journey of Joseph Campbell, a man caught between duty and kinship. Rich in historical detail and emotional depth, the novel offers a balanced, compassionate portrayal of frontier life and its tragedies. This is an engaging and reflective read for anyone drawn to history-driven fiction with heart and nuance.

[Tracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This account of the 1857 massacre at Spirit Lake, IA, is told from the perspective of Antione Joseph Campbell. Joseph had a unique perspective of these historical events as a translator for the US government. He had a view of both sides of the conflict with his heritage coming from both White and Native American parents. The author uses historical accounts to tell the story from mostly Joseph's conflicted point of view. I gave this 3 stars mostly because I found the recount confusing during the first half of the book. By the second half, though, I was hooked. I felt an urgency, alongside Joseph, to find a clear explanation of what happened and why.

[Jim · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very loosely based on actual events of historical conflicts. I would say the over-all work lacks polish and good editing. I was very sad to see the amateur illustrations used in the book as they really did detract from the over-all quality.

Plot plausibility ................4
Story telling quality ........ 2
Level of intrigue .............. 2
Difficulty to put down .....3
total 2.7 ............. (out 0f 10)

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've lived in Minnesota my entire life and never knew the history of what was done to the American Indians. This book told the story in an interesting way while also providing much needed education about the early days in Minnesota. Very well written!

[Kelly Erdmann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read. A story that I had never heard before...this adds to my knowledge of the U.S.-Dakota war.