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Niagara: A Novel
A dark sequence of events leads to murder and betrayal at Niagara. The future always bumps against the past in Niagara Mark Twain, Red Jacket, Abraham Lincoln, Nikola Tesla, and Marilyn Monroe are among historical figures in this novel whose ties to Niagara still resound. As the city of Niagara Falls continues to renew itself after the dislocation and destruction wreaked by Robert Moses in the 1970s when he led the building of the massive Niagara hydroelectric power project, characters struggle to find their places in 2018 -- in historic homes along the upper rapids, in careers, and between Native and non-Native worlds. Just as the tremendous flow of water over Niagara erodes its rocky foundation as it plunges into the lower gorge and whirlpool, so events in this novel plunge its characters into a future they struggle to survive.
451 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 27, 2016
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
April 18, 2021
I liked this book mainly because I am from Niagara Falls. It was cool to read about all the places I know and love...from the falls itself to the Turtle to Old Man Rivers'. The story, or should I say stories, as there seemed to be more than one going on, was compelling. The main characters Anne and her niece Phoebe each had things going on. Phoebe and her Maid of the Mist obsession and pageant. Anne with her nursing school problems, a new romance with IT guy Quin, her dog Ben and environmental group trying to stop negative impact on the falls.
I guess the main story would be the issue with the Turtle, the building that has sat dormant for years that is finally going to be used again. But is it going to a casino that they don't want or a cultural center as it was intended to be? That's the controversy. In the middle of all of it is Leonard, Phoebe's friend, a Native American trying to learn about his heritage from his grandfather, an elder with much respect from the council. Leonard becomes involved with the new owners of the Turtle and an evil medicine man who has him afraid for his life. Everything comes to a head at a rally at the falls.
This was an interesting book filled with folk lore, Native American traditions, Niagara Falls facts and information of the surrounding area of western New York. The Niagara River and Niagara Falls are special and to have a book written about the area was a joy to read. It was informative as well as entertaining especially to this Niagara native.
I guess the main story would be the issue with the Turtle, the building that has sat dormant for years that is finally going to be used again. But is it going to a casino that they don't want or a cultural center as it was intended to be? That's the controversy. In the middle of all of it is Leonard, Phoebe's friend, a Native American trying to learn about his heritage from his grandfather, an elder with much respect from the council. Leonard becomes involved with the new owners of the Turtle and an evil medicine man who has him afraid for his life. Everything comes to a head at a rally at the falls.
This was an interesting book filled with folk lore, Native American traditions, Niagara Falls facts and information of the surrounding area of western New York. The Niagara River and Niagara Falls are special and to have a book written about the area was a joy to read. It was informative as well as entertaining especially to this Niagara native.
Displaying 1 of 1 review