What do you think?
Rate this book
Thieving Forest
On a humid morning in 1806, seventeen-year-old Susanna Quiner watches helplessly from behind a tree while a band of Potawatomi Indians kidnaps her four older sisters from their cabin. With both her parents dead from Swamp Fever and all the other settlers out in their fields, Susanna rashly decides to pursue them herself. What follows is a young woman's quest to save her sisters and the parallel story of her sisters' new lives.
Over the next five months, Susanna tans hides in a Moravian missionary village; escapes down a river with a young native girl; discovers an eccentric white woman raising chickens in the middle of the Great Black Swamp; and becomes a servant in a Wyandot village longhouse. The man who loves her, Seth Spendlove, is in pursuit after he realizes that his father was involved in the kidnapping. Part Potawatomi himself but living a white man’s life, Seth unwittingly sets off on his own quest to reclaim his birthright. He allies himself with a Potawatomi named Koman, one of the band of men who originally abducted the Quiner sisters, but who now wishes to make his own retribution. Together they canoe through the Black Swamp and into enemy territory looking for Susanna, and while they travel Koman teaches Seth about their shared heritage.
Fast-paced and richly detailed, Thieving Forest explores the transformation of all five sisters as the Quiners contend with starvation, slavery, betrayal, and love. It paints a fascinating new picture of pioneer life among Native American communities, while telling a gripping tale of survival.
Length: 13 hrs and 22 mins
Over the next five months, Susanna tans hides in a Moravian missionary village; escapes down a river with a young native girl; discovers an eccentric white woman raising chickens in the middle of the Great Black Swamp; and becomes a servant in a Wyandot village longhouse. The man who loves her, Seth Spendlove, is in pursuit after he realizes that his father was involved in the kidnapping. Part Potawatomi himself but living a white man’s life, Seth unwittingly sets off on his own quest to reclaim his birthright. He allies himself with a Potawatomi named Koman, one of the band of men who originally abducted the Quiner sisters, but who now wishes to make his own retribution. Together they canoe through the Black Swamp and into enemy territory looking for Susanna, and while they travel Koman teaches Seth about their shared heritage.
Fast-paced and richly detailed, Thieving Forest explores the transformation of all five sisters as the Quiners contend with starvation, slavery, betrayal, and love. It paints a fascinating new picture of pioneer life among Native American communities, while telling a gripping tale of survival.
Length: 13 hrs and 22 mins
14 pages, Audible Audio
First published August 11, 2014
1285 people are currently reading
3417 people want to read
About the author
Martha Conway
14 books266 followersMartha Conway's latest novel is THE PHYSICIAN'S DAUGHTER. Her other novels include The Underground River (Simon & Schuster), which was a New York Times Book Review Editor's Choice, and Thieving Forest, which won the North American Book Award for Best Historical Fiction. Her short fiction has been published in the Iowa Review, the Carolina Quarterly, The Quarterly, Folio, Massachusetts Review, and other journals. She teaches creative writing at Stanford University's Continuing Studies Program.
Martha is one of seven sisters and now lives in San Francisco with her family.
Martha is one of seven sisters and now lives in San Francisco with her family.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 229 reviews
September 27, 2014
Susanna and her four sisters have recently lost their parents to Swamp fever. They decide to continue their small store that is attached to their house out in the wilderness. Then the sisters are taken in an attack from a group of Potawatomi as Susanna hides.
After the abduction Susanna takes off after her sisters and their abductors.
The story takes Susanna to a weird Missionary village where she stays for a few months and then into the Black Swamp.
That Black Swamp and all that Susanna does to survive made me so appreciate my warm room and cup of coffee in my hand as I was reading. I actually felt her hunger pains as the book brought what she was going through to life.
The author also does a amazing job on telling each sisters story and how their fates play out.
I received an arc copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
After the abduction Susanna takes off after her sisters and their abductors.
The story takes Susanna to a weird Missionary village where she stays for a few months and then into the Black Swamp.
That Black Swamp and all that Susanna does to survive made me so appreciate my warm room and cup of coffee in my hand as I was reading. I actually felt her hunger pains as the book brought what she was going through to life.
The author also does a amazing job on telling each sisters story and how their fates play out.
I received an arc copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 1, 2014
I love me some old-timey, pioneer-type stories. Tribes of natives, living off the land, seeing the promise of 'Murrica paying off, or tasting it sour in one's mouth: all that speaks to me. And this story did not fail to deliver exactly what I was looking for.
A gaggle of recently orphaned women are taken all secret-like by a bunch of natives. What follows is a story of attempted rescue, of severe and forced adaptation, and of redemption or lack thereof. I loved it. The descriptions of how day-to-day life had to be hardcore scraped up from the earth, the superstitions of not only the tribes but also the whites, I was delighted by it all.
Really, the only problems I had with this book stemmed from characters' inability to see things from another point of view. There have been many times when a fight's a-brewin' between my ladylove and I, but I abort that thing early by simply viewing things from her perspective, and cancelling out the oh-so-human miscommunication. (I actually think this sometimes bothers her, and she'd really rather fight it out. But I'm a lover, not a fighter. Mostly.) There were a few times I found myself near head-banging-to-wall frustrated with the characters' thought processes. But it turned out that it was all just part of their development as people, and, I think maybe, mine as a reader, as well.
All in all, a beautifully told story of life in the frontier American west, and how hard won any semblance of happiness or safety can be.
A gaggle of recently orphaned women are taken all secret-like by a bunch of natives. What follows is a story of attempted rescue, of severe and forced adaptation, and of redemption or lack thereof. I loved it. The descriptions of how day-to-day life had to be hardcore scraped up from the earth, the superstitions of not only the tribes but also the whites, I was delighted by it all.
Really, the only problems I had with this book stemmed from characters' inability to see things from another point of view. There have been many times when a fight's a-brewin' between my ladylove and I, but I abort that thing early by simply viewing things from her perspective, and cancelling out the oh-so-human miscommunication. (I actually think this sometimes bothers her, and she'd really rather fight it out. But I'm a lover, not a fighter. Mostly.) There were a few times I found myself near head-banging-to-wall frustrated with the characters' thought processes. But it turned out that it was all just part of their development as people, and, I think maybe, mine as a reader, as well.
All in all, a beautifully told story of life in the frontier American west, and how hard won any semblance of happiness or safety can be.
April 18, 2016
Loved the story! Wasn't crazy about the narrator. Lacked emotional depth to her voice, although her pronunciation of tribal names was beautiful. Probably would be best enjoyed just reading oneself. The storyline was wonderful. Will be reading more of Conway's books.
My in-depth review of Thieving Forest can be found on Audible.
My in-depth review of Thieving Forest can be found on Audible.
October 31, 2014
2.5/5
It's always so disappointing when you come across a book with a great idea but poor execution. Unfortunately that was the case with this book, I found the plot to be super interesting, but it just wasn't enough to make up for the amateur writing and poor character development. Maybe in a few more years or perhaps with a tougher editor I am sure that this author will improve.
Buy,Borrow or Bin Verdict: Bin
Note: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
It's always so disappointing when you come across a book with a great idea but poor execution. Unfortunately that was the case with this book, I found the plot to be super interesting, but it just wasn't enough to make up for the amateur writing and poor character development. Maybe in a few more years or perhaps with a tougher editor I am sure that this author will improve.
Buy,Borrow or Bin Verdict: Bin
Note: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
September 30, 2014
A good read about a group of sisters trying to survive alone after their parents are taken by swamp fever. When her sisters are captured by Indians, Susannah, the sister who is left makes it her mission to find out their fate.
A fast moving and interesting where things are not as they appear on the surface. Life in a mission camp and of course the thieving woods. Just not sure a young girl would have set out virtually alone during this time period. Still the authors includes enough history and peril, adventure and risk to keep the pace moving along and the story interesting.
ARC from NetGalley
A fast moving and interesting where things are not as they appear on the surface. Life in a mission camp and of course the thieving woods. Just not sure a young girl would have set out virtually alone during this time period. Still the authors includes enough history and peril, adventure and risk to keep the pace moving along and the story interesting.
ARC from NetGalley
October 7, 2014
Thieving Forest is an ancient forest crowded with
decrepit elms and maples and oak, too many of them fallen
for a comfortable crossing, a place settlers generally go
around rather than through. It got its name after a band
of Sauk Indians tried to hide some stolen horses there.
Severne sits on its southern edge like a fly on the rim
of a saucer. On the other side of the forest lies the
Great Black Swamp---a dark wooded bog nearly the size of
Connecticut---and beyond that is Lake Erie. Rumors
circulate about the unholy creatures that make their home
in the Black Swamp: swine wolves, frogs with fins and teeth,.
Naomi has even heard that there are bands of backward men
living among its stunted trees, and that there is no end
to it, and no sunlight within, and no food. (p 13)
Near the beginning of this very interesting historical novel, we are introduced to the setting which will become as important as any character. The five red-haired Quiner girls live in Severne, Ohio. They range from seventeen to twenty-three and are trying to decide their future now that their parents have died from Swamp Fever. But that decision will be taken away from them as four of the five are taken by Indians off through that forest. And the fifth will do all she can to find her sisters.
I found this to be a compulsively readable book, picking it up in free moments to see what would happen next. This is a time is American history largely unknown to me and, I would guess, to many others. I recommend it to others who enjoy early U.S. history, stories of the frontier and the intersection of white and Indian civilizations. Also for those interested in a portrait of a part of our natural environment now long gone.
Rating 4 to 4.5
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher, Noontime Books, through NetGalley, in return for an unbiased review.
decrepit elms and maples and oak, too many of them fallen
for a comfortable crossing, a place settlers generally go
around rather than through. It got its name after a band
of Sauk Indians tried to hide some stolen horses there.
Severne sits on its southern edge like a fly on the rim
of a saucer. On the other side of the forest lies the
Great Black Swamp---a dark wooded bog nearly the size of
Connecticut---and beyond that is Lake Erie. Rumors
circulate about the unholy creatures that make their home
in the Black Swamp: swine wolves, frogs with fins and teeth,.
Naomi has even heard that there are bands of backward men
living among its stunted trees, and that there is no end
to it, and no sunlight within, and no food. (p 13)
Near the beginning of this very interesting historical novel, we are introduced to the setting which will become as important as any character. The five red-haired Quiner girls live in Severne, Ohio. They range from seventeen to twenty-three and are trying to decide their future now that their parents have died from Swamp Fever. But that decision will be taken away from them as four of the five are taken by Indians off through that forest. And the fifth will do all she can to find her sisters.
I found this to be a compulsively readable book, picking it up in free moments to see what would happen next. This is a time is American history largely unknown to me and, I would guess, to many others. I recommend it to others who enjoy early U.S. history, stories of the frontier and the intersection of white and Indian civilizations. Also for those interested in a portrait of a part of our natural environment now long gone.
Rating 4 to 4.5
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher, Noontime Books, through NetGalley, in return for an unbiased review.
June 22, 2015
This book hit a lot of marks for me. Pioneer living by white and native Americans in the wilds of Ohio in 1805, check. Adventure tale involving snake bites, starvation, slavery, cruelty, kindness from unexpected quarters, and courage, check. Strong women characters meeting challenges and overcoming difficulties, check. Well researched, well written historical fiction, check.
The bare bones of this novel begins with the kidnapping of the 4 Quiner sisters, witnessed by the 5th sister, Susanna, who was sent to feed the hog. She impulsively goes after them herself when she can't get any response from the men in the settlement. I thought the events that transpired as she searches for her sisters were realistically portrayed, and Native American characters and tribes very sympathetically dealt with. There was also some very beautiful and descriptive nature writing that I appreciated as well. An excellent first novel by any standards. Very highly recommended. Thanks to Sue Drees for recommending and sending me a copy. She is one of those very valuable GR friends who can be relied on. When she says something is not to be missed, she's right!
The bare bones of this novel begins with the kidnapping of the 4 Quiner sisters, witnessed by the 5th sister, Susanna, who was sent to feed the hog. She impulsively goes after them herself when she can't get any response from the men in the settlement. I thought the events that transpired as she searches for her sisters were realistically portrayed, and Native American characters and tribes very sympathetically dealt with. There was also some very beautiful and descriptive nature writing that I appreciated as well. An excellent first novel by any standards. Very highly recommended. Thanks to Sue Drees for recommending and sending me a copy. She is one of those very valuable GR friends who can be relied on. When she says something is not to be missed, she's right!
August 30, 2014
The story is compelling and the history is interesting but I couldn't quite connect with any of the sisters, except Susanna. A harrowing journey to find her kidnapped sisters leads Susanna through dangers of the wilderness , Indians both peaceful and not , a friendship with an orphan Indian girl, a man who loves her and the realization that her life is not her sisters'.
A satisfying ending gets this book a generous three stars .
Thanks to Smith Publicity and NetGalley .
A satisfying ending gets this book a generous three stars .
Thanks to Smith Publicity and NetGalley .
April 27, 2019
3.5 stars
This was my selection from Amazon Prime Reading, whatever that is. I knew I had not read a novel involving a number of sisters ending up as Indian captives, so I thought it worth a gamble. My favorite part of this is the weight of my e-reader. Carrying loads of hardback books is hard on my back, I must admit. So half a star awarded for my physical comfort.
Let me say that I am not familiar with the North American Book Award for Best Historical Fiction, but this book won that.
The family running a store in the challenging region in Ohio of the *Great Black Swamp back in the early 1800's has a string of tragedies. Moving from their more stable life in Philadelphia, the father wished to be in the great open spaces. Bad decision. First the parents die of swamp fever, leaving behind 5 daughters to fend for themselves. A nasty neighbor who wants the store for himself arranges for Indians to capture four of the girls. When the oldest sister discovers what has happened she launches into the wilderness on her own to attempt rescue.
We get to learn a tad of Indian languages, rituals, tribal customs and behavior but also a whole lot of survival techniques in the forest. All the sentences in this book are short and there are only a couple of passages that recognize a touch of natural beauty. Clipped statements and harsh conditions equal bleak. I wonder what American Indians think of this book and whether the author asked any of them to read her drafts.
*The Great Black Swamp that was lies in the NW corner of Ohio, 25 x 100 miles in area, long ago drained and now farmland.
This was my selection from Amazon Prime Reading, whatever that is. I knew I had not read a novel involving a number of sisters ending up as Indian captives, so I thought it worth a gamble. My favorite part of this is the weight of my e-reader. Carrying loads of hardback books is hard on my back, I must admit. So half a star awarded for my physical comfort.
Let me say that I am not familiar with the North American Book Award for Best Historical Fiction, but this book won that.
The family running a store in the challenging region in Ohio of the *Great Black Swamp back in the early 1800's has a string of tragedies. Moving from their more stable life in Philadelphia, the father wished to be in the great open spaces. Bad decision. First the parents die of swamp fever, leaving behind 5 daughters to fend for themselves. A nasty neighbor who wants the store for himself arranges for Indians to capture four of the girls. When the oldest sister discovers what has happened she launches into the wilderness on her own to attempt rescue.
We get to learn a tad of Indian languages, rituals, tribal customs and behavior but also a whole lot of survival techniques in the forest. All the sentences in this book are short and there are only a couple of passages that recognize a touch of natural beauty. Clipped statements and harsh conditions equal bleak. I wonder what American Indians think of this book and whether the author asked any of them to read her drafts.
*The Great Black Swamp that was lies in the NW corner of Ohio, 25 x 100 miles in area, long ago drained and now farmland.
January 15, 2020
Though I very much enjoy historical fiction, normally it’s set in other places. And, often, much further back in time. The past is fascinating and American past has just always been less so, for one thing there’s less of it (this doesn’t include the prehistoric times in the Americas, those were fascinating, but alas no people no stories or so it seems), for another…it just isn’t as compelling for me, you’ve got a deadly take over and then systemic hypocritical oppression of various peoples which comprises most of the timetable from 1492 to now and then there’s whatever the F now is, sure to go down as some of the most peculiar and embarrassing years in the chronicles of time. And the purpose of that wordy preamble is to say that this wouldn’t normally be my sort of book, which (along with its hefty girth) is the main reason I’ve put off reading it until now. The book was acquired a while back as a kindle freebie due to promising reviews and an award winning pedigree and hung out on my kindle until it was time to be read and I’m actually very glad I did. This is a story of Quiner sisters, 5 young women whose family moves them from a large east coast city to a Podunk swaps of Ohio. The idea is to make money by operating a small goods store, but the going is tough and, once the girls are orphaned, nearly impossible. Being left on their own is terrifying enough and then the girls get attacked and kidnapped by the Potawatomi Indians with only Susanna (the 17 year old) left behind. Despite the impossible odds, Susanna decides to set off to find her sisters and the rest of the story follows her trek through the wilderness and her siblings’ survival stories of their own. The characters , especially Susanna, are absolutely terrific, they completely engage you emotionally, you care, you follow along, you want them to succeed. In fact, not just the main characters, the side characters have the same quality, very well rendered and engaging. And that alone might have been enough for a book to maintain the readers’ interest, but the star attraction here are the descriptions. Martha Conway makes this world come alive. The wilderness of The Thieving Forest is rendered vividly three dimensional, the woods…the woods are alive with the sounds of danger. The lives of Native Americans and the settlers, their individual dynamics and the way they interact with each other, the living situations, rituals, customs…it’s all so well done, it’s positively transporting. In other words, this novel achieves what every work of historical fiction sets off to do and only some deliver, an immersive literary trip to the past. The writing, the scenery, the attention to detail…is all absolute first rate. Many kudos to the author for making 1806 so interesting. Many kudos in general. This novel is a resounding success. Recommended.
November 18, 2014
Thanks to Martha Conway for this Goodreads give-away and a sneak peak at her new novel!! It's no secret that I love Historical Fiction, so I was very happy to win this book, but it was so much better than I was expecting! This is the story of a family of 5 girls living in a small "village" in 1806. Their parents have just recently passed. Another younger sister has been living in Philadelphia with an aunt and the girls are trying to decide whether to stay and try to run the family store or leave and join their sister in Philly. We get a quick glimpse of their personalities and how they interact, and then danger arrives as four of the older girls are kidnapped by Indians. Susanna, 17, is left behind and she quickly rallies, determined to go after her sisters. The story is more complex than a simple Indian abduction, the family has had good relations with the natives, there is more beneath the surface. Susanna learns that many people are not who they present themselves to be and she has to learn whom she can trust and that will often surprise her.
The novel takes the reader on Susanna's journey as she attempts to find and rescue her sisters. Who helps her, who she meets along the way, the dangers she encounters on her voyage, how she survives, what she discovers about herself and the others she meets; including different bands of natives and a religious group, are what make this book so fascinating. There is so much attention to detail, so much respect for different cultures and beliefs and they are presented from many differing points of view. The landscape itself becomes a character and the descriptions are so vivid and so astoundingly different from what exists now in the part of Ohio that borders Lake Erie south of Toledo.
There are themes of self discovery, personal growth, romance, family ties, loyalty and more in this book and Conway resorts to cliches. Her characters are complex, thoughtful and fully realized. The fates of each sister differ and each path and choice is so interesting. They challenge the reader to wonder what they would have done in each situation under the same circumstances. This was a fairly quick read, mostly because I could not put it down!! This book would be a great Book Club selection as there are so many themes and issues to discuss!!
The novel takes the reader on Susanna's journey as she attempts to find and rescue her sisters. Who helps her, who she meets along the way, the dangers she encounters on her voyage, how she survives, what she discovers about herself and the others she meets; including different bands of natives and a religious group, are what make this book so fascinating. There is so much attention to detail, so much respect for different cultures and beliefs and they are presented from many differing points of view. The landscape itself becomes a character and the descriptions are so vivid and so astoundingly different from what exists now in the part of Ohio that borders Lake Erie south of Toledo.
There are themes of self discovery, personal growth, romance, family ties, loyalty and more in this book and Conway resorts to cliches. Her characters are complex, thoughtful and fully realized. The fates of each sister differ and each path and choice is so interesting. They challenge the reader to wonder what they would have done in each situation under the same circumstances. This was a fairly quick read, mostly because I could not put it down!! This book would be a great Book Club selection as there are so many themes and issues to discuss!!
November 22, 2014
Susanna Quiner hid while she watched four of her sisters being violently torn from their home by a party of Potawatami warriors. Is this the opening scene of a propaganda piece designed to show us how savage the original inhabitants of North America were? Thieving Forest by Martha Conway may seem that way initially, but this story line is more complex than readers might think. It takes place in early 19th century America. The novel’s portrayal of the period is neither utopian nor dystopian. Martha Conway goes for realism. There are both horrific events and wonderful ones.
The capture of these sisters isn’t what it appears to be. Each of the Quiner sisters has her own individual destiny. Susanna is determined to restore her family to the situation that had existed before they were captured, but neither her sisters nor their home were ever going to be the same. This is a lesson that Susanna learns over the course of the novel.
For my complete review see http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2014/...
The capture of these sisters isn’t what it appears to be. Each of the Quiner sisters has her own individual destiny. Susanna is determined to restore her family to the situation that had existed before they were captured, but neither her sisters nor their home were ever going to be the same. This is a lesson that Susanna learns over the course of the novel.
For my complete review see http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2014/...
October 28, 2014
I received an arc copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you NetGalley!
3.5 Stars
Set in 1806 Severne, Ohio, the Thieving Forest is a tale of survival for Susanna Quiner and her 5 sisters as they learn to care for themselves and decide the fate of their future after the loss of both of their parents to Swamp Fever.
After a morning of bickering over what they should do, Susanna goes outside to tend to the chickens. After hearing and seeing some savages come through the woods, she hides behind a tree, watching helplessly as a band of Potawatomi Indians kidnap her 4 sisters and head back into the Thieving Forest.
Thieving Forest is an ancient forest crowded with decrepit elms and maples and oak, too many of them fallen for a comfortable crossing, a place settlers generally go around rather than through. It got its name after a band of Sauk Indians tried to hide some stolen horses there. Severne sits on its southern edge like a fly on the rim of a saucer. On the other side of the forest lies the Great Black Swamp---a dark wooded bog nearly the size of Connecticut---and beyond that is Lake Erie. Rumors circulate about the unholy creatures that make their home in the Black Swamp: swine wolves, frogs with fins and teeth. Naomi has even heard that there are bands of backward men living among its stunted trees, and that there is no end to it, and no sunlight within, and no food.
Distraught and not knowing what to do, Susanna runs to their neighbor Amos Spendlove for help gathering the men to go after them. Not finding anyone home, she waits for hours, only to be told that all of the men are too busy out tending to their farms and cannot help her. Seeing no other options, she decides to embark on a rescue mission into the forest herself, hoping to trade what little possessions she has left for their lives. Over the next few months, Susanna travels all over the region, spending time at a missionary village and wading through the seemingly endless Black Swamp in order to find her sisters. Contending with fear and starvation, Susanna discovers more about herself (and her sisters) than she ever expected. Desperately in love with Susanna, Seth Spendlove (Amos' son), sets out after her when he find out of his father's involvement in the kidnapping... along with one of the original Potawatomi kidnappers, seeking his own retribution.
While unsure of the historical accuracy of everything, this fast paced tale of the Quiner sisters is entertaining. All of the sisters contend with their own issues, including those “of starvation, slavery, betrayal, and love” that changes you they were and who they thought they wanted to be.
My only criticism would be that the other sisters characters were not developed enough. It is clear that Conway wanted to give their perspectives, but in order for the reader to develop feelings for the other sisters, we needed more. I also found it slightly aggravating how shallow and self-involved they all seemed given the situation. If it were not for Susanna, Seth, and Meera, I do not know that I would have cared for this novel as much.
3.5 Stars
Set in 1806 Severne, Ohio, the Thieving Forest is a tale of survival for Susanna Quiner and her 5 sisters as they learn to care for themselves and decide the fate of their future after the loss of both of their parents to Swamp Fever.
After a morning of bickering over what they should do, Susanna goes outside to tend to the chickens. After hearing and seeing some savages come through the woods, she hides behind a tree, watching helplessly as a band of Potawatomi Indians kidnap her 4 sisters and head back into the Thieving Forest.
Thieving Forest is an ancient forest crowded with decrepit elms and maples and oak, too many of them fallen for a comfortable crossing, a place settlers generally go around rather than through. It got its name after a band of Sauk Indians tried to hide some stolen horses there. Severne sits on its southern edge like a fly on the rim of a saucer. On the other side of the forest lies the Great Black Swamp---a dark wooded bog nearly the size of Connecticut---and beyond that is Lake Erie. Rumors circulate about the unholy creatures that make their home in the Black Swamp: swine wolves, frogs with fins and teeth. Naomi has even heard that there are bands of backward men living among its stunted trees, and that there is no end to it, and no sunlight within, and no food.
Distraught and not knowing what to do, Susanna runs to their neighbor Amos Spendlove for help gathering the men to go after them. Not finding anyone home, she waits for hours, only to be told that all of the men are too busy out tending to their farms and cannot help her. Seeing no other options, she decides to embark on a rescue mission into the forest herself, hoping to trade what little possessions she has left for their lives. Over the next few months, Susanna travels all over the region, spending time at a missionary village and wading through the seemingly endless Black Swamp in order to find her sisters. Contending with fear and starvation, Susanna discovers more about herself (and her sisters) than she ever expected. Desperately in love with Susanna, Seth Spendlove (Amos' son), sets out after her when he find out of his father's involvement in the kidnapping... along with one of the original Potawatomi kidnappers, seeking his own retribution.
While unsure of the historical accuracy of everything, this fast paced tale of the Quiner sisters is entertaining. All of the sisters contend with their own issues, including those “of starvation, slavery, betrayal, and love” that changes you they were and who they thought they wanted to be.
My only criticism would be that the other sisters characters were not developed enough. It is clear that Conway wanted to give their perspectives, but in order for the reader to develop feelings for the other sisters, we needed more. I also found it slightly aggravating how shallow and self-involved they all seemed given the situation. If it were not for Susanna, Seth, and Meera, I do not know that I would have cared for this novel as much.
November 22, 2014
Rated 4.5 - Also posted at TBRMountainRange.com where you can find more of my reviews by category tags.
A great pioneer story that takes place in Ohio and celebrates its rich history with a grand adventure of survival of the fittest.
I was so happy to find this book because I absolutely love, love, love Ohio history and to find a novel about the early inhabitants near the Black Swamp in Northwest Ohio that includes the Potawatomi, Wyandot, Shawnee and Ottawa Indians in the early 1800s just added to my excitement. Ohio has such a rich Native American history across the entire state and it's especially stimulating to find a fictional tale that helps me envision more than I know, while keeping a positive spin on the people and their customs.
Two weeks after her parents die of swamp fever, seventeen-year-old Susanna Quiner can think of nothing else but her superstitions and going back to Philadelphia. Trying to run their store in the new town of Severne, Ohio, with her four sisters without their parents to guide them, seems futile when winter will be upon them soon and there is no man to hunt for their food.
While outside doing chores, Susanna sees several Potawatomi emerge from the Thieving Forest which isn't unusual since they trade with many of the tribes as much as they do the pioneers passing through, but the men are not going to the front of the store but toward their cabin. Her sister Aurelia is outside feeding her chickens and Susanna tries to attract her attention to no avail. Hiding behind a tree, Susanna is horrified to see her three older sisters pulled outside of the cabin by the men, then Aurelia taken as well, tied up along with some of their possessions, and then forced through the woods. Should she follow or risk the time it will take to find help?
Beatrice, Penelope, Aurelia and Naomi are pushed forward at a furious pace through the forest. They're being taken north, hopeful that they'll be ransomed in Risdale and not sold off to the highest bidder, or worse, forced to be wives or killed for not being capable slaves. Meanwhile, Susanna runs off to the nearest cabin in town for help. She can hardly think and she can't seem to get her point across to her neighbor, Amos Spendlove, that he must bring in the men from the fields to form a search party for her sisters. She fears mostly for her sister Aurelia who is still suffering from a fever. She's told by another neighbor that if Aurelia's ill, the Potawatomi will kill her, rather than take her illness back to their people, as is their way. Susanna rushes off to find Old Adam, a Miami Indian who is married to a Shawnee, a friend who she's sure knows his way in the forest and will help her track her sisters.
Cade and Seth Spendlove are on their way back from selling the Quiner sisters' wagon for them, per their father, Amos' request, when they learn of the sisters' capture from one of their neighbors who is searching for them. Seth had bought a ring that he plans to give to Susanna, hopeful that she will be his wife. Cade plans to marry Aurelia. The Spendloves are half-brothers and have inherited their father's part-Potawatomi blood, although they haven't told anyone since they also each had a Bavarian mother and it's hard to discern their background by their looks.
Cade and Seth both suspect their father of some sort of foul play, doubting that the Quiner sisters ever wanted their wagon sold. They decide to search for them as well, hoping to come across Susanna on the way, without returning to their father with the money for the wagon he had them sell. They feel that money should go to Susanna for her family but Seth isn't quite sure how he'll tell her his suspicions about his father, or that he's part Potawatomi, when he proposes. Will she even consider him as her husband after what has happened?
I'm not sure of the accuracy of the historical details in this novel because I'm more familiar with Native American history in Ohio in the 1700s, more so than the early 1800s, but the storytelling is realistic and believable so it is easy to envision it as plausible as it happens in this fictional tale. If you're curious, there's a good PBS special online regarding the Black Swamp history that will give you a feel for the difficulties that the pioneers faced, such as the mosquitoes, hence the fevers, as well as the flies, muck and rain, making it difficult to farm or even walk through the rich earth. If you love hiking the marshes that are now being reestablished in Ohio's parks as much as I do, then you'll relate to what it may have been like in 1808 in the Black Swamp near Toledo as you're reading this adventure.
I'm particularly fond of colonial stories, especially when they depict the pioneers of different nationalities working alongside the natives. Sure, there are villains, plus gruesome and sad circumstances, but it's the learning to live together that fascinates me the most. There are the language and custom barriers to be crossed and understood, and all of this is very well done in this story.
Susanna is the spoiled youngest sister, not expected to work as hard or to be as brave as the rest of her sisters. She doesn't know how to do much of anything since she has always had others around to help her. When faced with working at a mission to earn her keep, she befriends a native girl who becomes her companion on part of her journey. It's a good thing she made that friend because I'm not sure she would have made it on her own. The land is pretty hostile at this time in history and I doubt that many women had the knowledge or the strength to survive these harsh conditions alone. The loneliness itself would have been difficult enough, but there are bears and wolves to fear, along with the sheer volume of the gathering and hunting needed to survive while on the run. If you want to appreciate what you have now in comparison, the reality in this novel will surely do that for you.
All five sisters have a story to tell and this book follows them as Susanna searches to bring them all back together. Quite an adventure, there's never a dull moment as Susanna grows up and becomes a woman of substance. Don't think that this is a "woman is captured by Indians and forced to be their wife" kind of story because it's not. It's much richer than that and explores the many possible antidotes of what could happen to five women if separated by circumstances in a frontier just being established.
After reading this book I'm very hopeful that author Martha Conway continues to write historical stories set in Ohio. There are so few of them and the history is so fascinating that it's pure pleasure to find an author who seems to appreciate it as much as I do and writes such an engaging story that brings it all together. Martha Conway's style depicts a love of the land and the people who strove to survive it. I recommend THIEVING FOREST to historical lovers who crave the stories of our brave pioneers who settled in Ohio when roads were paths well worn by hunters and the hunted.
Reviewed by Dorine, courtesy of Romance Junkies. Ebook provided by NetGalley.
A great pioneer story that takes place in Ohio and celebrates its rich history with a grand adventure of survival of the fittest.
I was so happy to find this book because I absolutely love, love, love Ohio history and to find a novel about the early inhabitants near the Black Swamp in Northwest Ohio that includes the Potawatomi, Wyandot, Shawnee and Ottawa Indians in the early 1800s just added to my excitement. Ohio has such a rich Native American history across the entire state and it's especially stimulating to find a fictional tale that helps me envision more than I know, while keeping a positive spin on the people and their customs.
Two weeks after her parents die of swamp fever, seventeen-year-old Susanna Quiner can think of nothing else but her superstitions and going back to Philadelphia. Trying to run their store in the new town of Severne, Ohio, with her four sisters without their parents to guide them, seems futile when winter will be upon them soon and there is no man to hunt for their food.
While outside doing chores, Susanna sees several Potawatomi emerge from the Thieving Forest which isn't unusual since they trade with many of the tribes as much as they do the pioneers passing through, but the men are not going to the front of the store but toward their cabin. Her sister Aurelia is outside feeding her chickens and Susanna tries to attract her attention to no avail. Hiding behind a tree, Susanna is horrified to see her three older sisters pulled outside of the cabin by the men, then Aurelia taken as well, tied up along with some of their possessions, and then forced through the woods. Should she follow or risk the time it will take to find help?
Beatrice, Penelope, Aurelia and Naomi are pushed forward at a furious pace through the forest. They're being taken north, hopeful that they'll be ransomed in Risdale and not sold off to the highest bidder, or worse, forced to be wives or killed for not being capable slaves. Meanwhile, Susanna runs off to the nearest cabin in town for help. She can hardly think and she can't seem to get her point across to her neighbor, Amos Spendlove, that he must bring in the men from the fields to form a search party for her sisters. She fears mostly for her sister Aurelia who is still suffering from a fever. She's told by another neighbor that if Aurelia's ill, the Potawatomi will kill her, rather than take her illness back to their people, as is their way. Susanna rushes off to find Old Adam, a Miami Indian who is married to a Shawnee, a friend who she's sure knows his way in the forest and will help her track her sisters.
Cade and Seth Spendlove are on their way back from selling the Quiner sisters' wagon for them, per their father, Amos' request, when they learn of the sisters' capture from one of their neighbors who is searching for them. Seth had bought a ring that he plans to give to Susanna, hopeful that she will be his wife. Cade plans to marry Aurelia. The Spendloves are half-brothers and have inherited their father's part-Potawatomi blood, although they haven't told anyone since they also each had a Bavarian mother and it's hard to discern their background by their looks.
Cade and Seth both suspect their father of some sort of foul play, doubting that the Quiner sisters ever wanted their wagon sold. They decide to search for them as well, hoping to come across Susanna on the way, without returning to their father with the money for the wagon he had them sell. They feel that money should go to Susanna for her family but Seth isn't quite sure how he'll tell her his suspicions about his father, or that he's part Potawatomi, when he proposes. Will she even consider him as her husband after what has happened?
I'm not sure of the accuracy of the historical details in this novel because I'm more familiar with Native American history in Ohio in the 1700s, more so than the early 1800s, but the storytelling is realistic and believable so it is easy to envision it as plausible as it happens in this fictional tale. If you're curious, there's a good PBS special online regarding the Black Swamp history that will give you a feel for the difficulties that the pioneers faced, such as the mosquitoes, hence the fevers, as well as the flies, muck and rain, making it difficult to farm or even walk through the rich earth. If you love hiking the marshes that are now being reestablished in Ohio's parks as much as I do, then you'll relate to what it may have been like in 1808 in the Black Swamp near Toledo as you're reading this adventure.
I'm particularly fond of colonial stories, especially when they depict the pioneers of different nationalities working alongside the natives. Sure, there are villains, plus gruesome and sad circumstances, but it's the learning to live together that fascinates me the most. There are the language and custom barriers to be crossed and understood, and all of this is very well done in this story.
Susanna is the spoiled youngest sister, not expected to work as hard or to be as brave as the rest of her sisters. She doesn't know how to do much of anything since she has always had others around to help her. When faced with working at a mission to earn her keep, she befriends a native girl who becomes her companion on part of her journey. It's a good thing she made that friend because I'm not sure she would have made it on her own. The land is pretty hostile at this time in history and I doubt that many women had the knowledge or the strength to survive these harsh conditions alone. The loneliness itself would have been difficult enough, but there are bears and wolves to fear, along with the sheer volume of the gathering and hunting needed to survive while on the run. If you want to appreciate what you have now in comparison, the reality in this novel will surely do that for you.
All five sisters have a story to tell and this book follows them as Susanna searches to bring them all back together. Quite an adventure, there's never a dull moment as Susanna grows up and becomes a woman of substance. Don't think that this is a "woman is captured by Indians and forced to be their wife" kind of story because it's not. It's much richer than that and explores the many possible antidotes of what could happen to five women if separated by circumstances in a frontier just being established.
After reading this book I'm very hopeful that author Martha Conway continues to write historical stories set in Ohio. There are so few of them and the history is so fascinating that it's pure pleasure to find an author who seems to appreciate it as much as I do and writes such an engaging story that brings it all together. Martha Conway's style depicts a love of the land and the people who strove to survive it. I recommend THIEVING FOREST to historical lovers who crave the stories of our brave pioneers who settled in Ohio when roads were paths well worn by hunters and the hunted.
Reviewed by Dorine, courtesy of Romance Junkies. Ebook provided by NetGalley.
August 26, 2014
What a marvellously accomplished and compelling book this is! Meticulously and painstakingly researched, carefully paced, with a cast of realistic and intriguing characters and with a plot that makes the novel a real page-turner, this is one of my reading highlights for this year. It tells the story of five sisters whose parents have died and who are coming to terms with their possible future in Severne, Ohio at the turn of the 19th century. Then one day they are captured in an Indian raid and their lives are changed forever. Susanna manages to hide behind a tree and watches as her sisters are carried off. Without considering the matter too much she sets off to rescue them, but her quest develops in ways she could never have imagined, and the reactions to her efforts by her surviving sisters are not always what she expects.
Martha Conway gives the reader a vivid portrait of life among the different Native American tribes and the relationship between them and the European settlers. Matters are far more complex and nuanced than we might expect. As indeed, is the relationship between the sisters, and Conway confounds our expectations just as she does Susanna’s at every twist and turn.
It’s a riveting story of survival, loyalty, betrayal and self-interest, with a good measure of love thrown in to the mix, all making for a wonderfully engaging and often thought-provoking novel of life in the early days of US expansion into Indian Territory.
Martha Conway gives the reader a vivid portrait of life among the different Native American tribes and the relationship between them and the European settlers. Matters are far more complex and nuanced than we might expect. As indeed, is the relationship between the sisters, and Conway confounds our expectations just as she does Susanna’s at every twist and turn.
It’s a riveting story of survival, loyalty, betrayal and self-interest, with a good measure of love thrown in to the mix, all making for a wonderfully engaging and often thought-provoking novel of life in the early days of US expansion into Indian Territory.
December 14, 2014
Before I get into why I liked this book so much even though I’m not a fan of historical fiction, I’m going to explain why fans of historical fiction will love it.
First, it’s got the "historical." Conway did her research, and the result is an incredibly detailed account of life in early 1800’s Ohio. And not just life in any one white settlement or Indian tribe, but across a wide range of diverse groups. Second, it’s got the "fiction." If you like stories, here are five: four sisters kidnapped by Indians, and a fifth who sets out in pursuit. The stories of the sisters branch, some of them rejoining and some of them reaching ends of their own, and Conway follows them all.
I loved this book for its steady tone that, like the forest itself, served as a kind of matter-of-fact backdrop to the wild highs and lows the sisters undergo, the characterizations that were remarkably free of cliché and stereotype even among the minor characters, and the overall shape of the story that comes together at the end.
Note: some readers might be confused or disappointed fairly early in the book when it turns out it’s not going to be the simple story of rescue or whodunit that it might appear at first to be. But hang in there, because the ultimate picture, though not perhaps as dramatic or colorful as a simpler story might have been, is almost certainly truer to real life as it’s lived in most times and places.
First, it’s got the "historical." Conway did her research, and the result is an incredibly detailed account of life in early 1800’s Ohio. And not just life in any one white settlement or Indian tribe, but across a wide range of diverse groups. Second, it’s got the "fiction." If you like stories, here are five: four sisters kidnapped by Indians, and a fifth who sets out in pursuit. The stories of the sisters branch, some of them rejoining and some of them reaching ends of their own, and Conway follows them all.
I loved this book for its steady tone that, like the forest itself, served as a kind of matter-of-fact backdrop to the wild highs and lows the sisters undergo, the characterizations that were remarkably free of cliché and stereotype even among the minor characters, and the overall shape of the story that comes together at the end.
Note: some readers might be confused or disappointed fairly early in the book when it turns out it’s not going to be the simple story of rescue or whodunit that it might appear at first to be. But hang in there, because the ultimate picture, though not perhaps as dramatic or colorful as a simpler story might have been, is almost certainly truer to real life as it’s lived in most times and places.
August 13, 2014
Delighted to read a new novel by Martha Conway, whose 12 Bliss St. I also enjoyed greatly Thieving Forest is a compelling historical quest novel that introduced me to much about the relationship between Europeans and Native Americans, as well as the ways and challenges of life, in 19th century Ohio. But the characters are at the heart of this story -- and the Quiner sisters' are a lively, intelligent, competitive brood whose forthright views get them into sticky situations that are historical, but also timeless. I loved the skillful shifts from one character to another and the language that was always fresh and vivid, elegant and precise. I found myself staying up late to see what would happen to the sisters next -- and looking forward to returning each night. Now I've finished the book -- and I am eagerly awaiting the next novel from this excellent writer.
August 4, 2017
Intriguing novel of early frontier women
This is a story of five young women, sisters, in the Ohio frontier and how their lives were turned upside down one summer day when they were kidnapped by Indians. Strong characters and a good plot made it very enjoyable. Chapters and sections are told from different character's points of view, but the author keeps the pacing tight and consistent, with a satisfying conclusion. Violence; no sex, but adult situations are referenced; no foul language.
This is a story of five young women, sisters, in the Ohio frontier and how their lives were turned upside down one summer day when they were kidnapped by Indians. Strong characters and a good plot made it very enjoyable. Chapters and sections are told from different character's points of view, but the author keeps the pacing tight and consistent, with a satisfying conclusion. Violence; no sex, but adult situations are referenced; no foul language.
June 15, 2016
A beautifully written historical novel set in the wilderness, full of character-driven turmoil. Conway's writing had me turning the pages!
August 11, 2014
Riveting and incandescent as it is meticulously researched, Thieving Forest is an extraordinary novel woven out of the lore of Indian captivity narratives. After losing their parents, the orphaned Quiner sisters face the daunting prospect of making their family’s store thrive in the tiny settlement of Severne on the edge of Ohio’s Great Black Swamp. The sisters’ lives are suddenly turned upside down on a summer day in 1806 when a band of Potawatomi Indians raid their home and kidnap all but one, 17-year-old Susanna, the youngest. Over the course of a few months’ journey, her search for her lost siblings evolves into a moving drama of survival and self-creation in the wilderness. Susanna’s growing confidence in her way of seeing the world and thinking about her life as an independent person, no longer reliant on her sisters’ opinions of who she is in relation to them is a fascinating subject and Martha Conway’s exploration of its complexities accounts for a great deal of the novel’s charm.
Reader expectations are not always met in conventional ways in this book. Conway’s insistence on rejecting predictability in favor of something more risky and open-ended seems to undercut the idea that the creation of a solid, established world is what a novel should be about. Happily, this will be catnip to readers who feel that the most interesting novels are always a bit strange. Thieving Forest is a mysterious, affecting novel that you’ll be eager to recommend and even more eager to talk about with others who have fallen under its emotionally piercing spell.
December 11, 2014
I loved this novel from the first page to the last. I haven't read any pioneer stories since Little House, but this made me want to devour more of them. 5 sisters. Their parents newly dead. One goes out to feed the pig, and while she's out sees her sisters carried off by Potowatomi Indians. This launches an amazing story as she sets out into the nearby forest to try and get them back. Conway does a masterful job of going into the heads of the different sisters and also some more peripheral characters, and by the end you feel like you know them all. The writing is gorgeous, fresh and descriptive without being "purple" in any way. Its also an amazing document showing the complicated and varied relationships between white settlers (and mixed settlers) and different tribes of the midwest. It was one of those books that I wanted to read in one sitting from cover to cover, and started reading more slowly as I neared the end, because I didn't want to leave that world--brutal though it sometimes was.
August 18, 2014
Thieving Forest is an excellent work of historical fiction. It manages to sensitive characterizations with a taut, high-powered plot, all while digging deep into a fascinating historical era in ways that are engaging, believable, and extremely well realized.
One of the elements I look for in historical fiction is realistic portrayals of clashes of cultures that go beyond the simple good/bad or black/white that is all too common in plot-driven historical fiction. Thieving Forest follows a family's exploration of the (figurative and literal) marriage of Native American and European cultures on the American frontier of the early 1800s. What we have the pleasure of exploring is interesting, engaging, and often surprising.
Highly recommended.
One of the elements I look for in historical fiction is realistic portrayals of clashes of cultures that go beyond the simple good/bad or black/white that is all too common in plot-driven historical fiction. Thieving Forest follows a family's exploration of the (figurative and literal) marriage of Native American and European cultures on the American frontier of the early 1800s. What we have the pleasure of exploring is interesting, engaging, and often surprising.
Highly recommended.
October 16, 2014
Thieving Forest is probably one of my favorite reads for this year. I love this time period and not many authors tackle writing during this time.
The story tells of sisters being kidnapped by Native Americans in the Ohio frontier. I absolutely loved the character of Susanna. I admired her determination to reunite with her sisters and her will to survive.
I thought this book reminded me of those written by the fabulous authors, Jody Hedlund and Laura Frantz.
A great, clean read.
5 stars.
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review, which was given.
The story tells of sisters being kidnapped by Native Americans in the Ohio frontier. I absolutely loved the character of Susanna. I admired her determination to reunite with her sisters and her will to survive.
I thought this book reminded me of those written by the fabulous authors, Jody Hedlund and Laura Frantz.
A great, clean read.
5 stars.
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review, which was given.
March 31, 2016
I won this book in a goodreads giveaway. This book was very entertaining. It kept me reaching for it every chance I had. It's one of those books that I don't want to end but want to know how it ends. I definitely recommend this to anyone interested in this genre. Even if you're not, give it a try. Ending was kinda of cliff hanger type, possibility for a sequel. If not, wish it ended a little differently. Still, excellent book! Great job, Martha Conway! Thank you for the free autographed copy of this book.
July 31, 2022
In the early 1800's the four Quiner sisters are red-haired, rather rude, a bit spoiled and....kidnapped! Although all the girls have a story, Susanna is the main character we follow through her sustainability in the wilds of Ohio amongst various Native American tribes. Their fates are an interesting and sometimes tragic blend of passion and survival. A very good look at a time period and circumstance you don't find very often.
January 27, 2015
Boring... I have read so many quality books about Indian abductions and this one just could not measure up. I was excited to read about Indian abductions in the area where I live, but the story was unbelievable, unrealistic character interactions.. more of a young adult, child story.
August 27, 2018
So often, when I’ve really enjoyed a book, my review will make note of the author’s excellent character development. Thieving Forest, however, goes a step beyond. It is rare when an author creates such a compelling arc for the characters, especially when covering such a brief period in time.
Thieving Forest jumps right into the tale and off the characters go. The scene development is atmospheric and becomes a character unto itself. It seamlessly travels from beautiful to terrifying and back, all while being totally engaging.
The plot, despite the fact that we readers cannot personally relate to the circumstances the characters encounter, is absolutely believable. The reader will laugh, cry and find themselves, on occasion, with goosebumps that come from putting ourselves in the character’s position ....... swamps anyone ?
All of that said, this is a good one readers, compelling, heart wrenching, heart warming and educational. Additionally, if you are part of a book club, this would be a perfect choice. Enjoy the read !
Thieving Forest jumps right into the tale and off the characters go. The scene development is atmospheric and becomes a character unto itself. It seamlessly travels from beautiful to terrifying and back, all while being totally engaging.
The plot, despite the fact that we readers cannot personally relate to the circumstances the characters encounter, is absolutely believable. The reader will laugh, cry and find themselves, on occasion, with goosebumps that come from putting ourselves in the character’s position ....... swamps anyone ?
All of that said, this is a good one readers, compelling, heart wrenching, heart warming and educational. Additionally, if you are part of a book club, this would be a perfect choice. Enjoy the read !
December 23, 2021
This story kept me on my toes and after the four girls were abducted I was on edge if they would escape their captivity. I loved the bravery of Susanna to go after them and try and rescue them since each sister had suffered a different fate. This meant four different adventures for Susanna. The descriptions of the forest were vivid and it seemed well researched. The story was set in an area I have no knowledge of, so I was swept along by the narrative. I'm happy to give five stars for Thieving Forest.
March 28, 2018
I am fascinated by the story of Cynthia Ann Parker, who was captured by Comanches as a child and subsequently assimilated fully into their culture, and this tale of sisters taken captive by native Americans has a similar hook. Conway does an excellent job conveying the brutality and tedium of the sisters' forced journey through the American wilderness. Unexpected allies and terrors keep the narrative momentum crackling as the sisters navigate physical challenges, a harsh environment, and their own psychological limitations. Ultimately, it is a survival story that explores questions of character and human resilience.
September 12, 2017
I really enjoyed how this story portrays women as strong and able to fend for themselves during a time when it wasn't common. It was entertaining and had a good story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 229 reviews