If a Lion Could Talk

by Mildred Walker, James Welch (Introduction)

Harriet Ryegate, the proper daughter of Massachusetts Puritans, is the first white woman to go far into the wilderness beyond the upper Missouri. With her husband, a Baptist minister, she seeks to convert the Blackfoot Indians to Christianity. But it is the Ryegates who are changed by their "journey into strangeness." Marcus Ryegate returns to Massachusetts obsessed by a beautiful Indian woman. For sermonizing about her, he pays a heavy price.

 

Harriet, one of Mildred Walker’s most fully realized characters, writes in her journal about "the effect of the Wilderness on civilized persons who are accustomed to live in the world of words." If a Lion Could Talk reveals the tragic lack of communication that stretches from Massachusetts to Missouri and beyond in the years before the Civil War—and the appalling heart of darkness that is close to home.

Genres: Historical Fiction

277 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1970

About the author

Mildred Schemm Walker (May 2, 1905 – May 27, 1998) was an American novelist who published 12 novels and was nominated for the National Book Award. She graduated from Wells College and from the University of Michigan. She was a faculty member at Wells College from 1955 to 1968. Walker died in 1998 in Portland, Oregon.

(from Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mildred Walker's place in American literature should be more secure than it is. Her "Winter Wheat" has had something of a renaissance, and "The Body of a Young Man" was nominated for the National Book Award. I'm in the middle of reading through all of her work (13 novels) because we are putting up a display about her work in the Historical Society in Grafton, Vermont, where she lived in the family home for many years. This book is probably not her strongest book, but it is interesting and kept me going. If you haven't read Mildred Walker, start with "Winter Wheat."

[Lorraine McCleary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mildred Walker's final book written as an accomplished writer. A young couple in MA in the late 1880's go to Montana to be missionaries to the Blackfeet Indians. They stay only 4 months before leaving to return to MA with the excuse that she is pregnant. He returns to his church and is greatly admired for his eloquence and she begins to realize he loves to hear his own voice and sway the crowds. And she begins to lose patience with his egotism. He then sermonizes about a beautiful b
Blackfoot Indian woman he is in thrall to and his ministry goes to pieces. He jumps into the abolitionist movement, again needing to be a charismatic leader. This is a story of how a marriage tries to survive from the wife's point of view. Very profound.

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the last section of this novel, but will go ahead and review since I'm very excited about it and sure to finish. Mildred Walker, where have you been all my life? I read Winter Wheat, written earlier in her career, and now I've read her last novel, a complex novel about civilization and Wilderness, a young and uncertain marriage, and spiritual visions and human connections. I am amazed at the ambition of Walker's work and how adeptly she moves between interior monologue, journal writing, flashback, dialogue, etc, etc to tell this absorbing and complex story. I look forward to discovering more of Walker's work.

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a big Mildred Walker fan and enjoyed this book ,although, not in her top tier. Published in 1971, it is basically the story of a husband and wife and their travails. The husband is obsessed by the wife of a fur trader who was an Indian princess at birth and refuses to speak English. There are a number of controversial issues like misceganation and homesexuality raised here but not followed through. This book could have been made more controversial and compelling as the three main characters are well developed and interesting. I just found it a bit uneven and underdeveloped.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Love this author didn’t love this book

[Shirley Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing story. Mildred Walker is an incredible author. The story is about Harriet and Mark Ryegate. He leaves her and goes into the Wilderness of Montana to convert the Blackfeet Indians. Things don't go so well for him, however he become obsessed with an Indian princess. Harriet decides to follow him and once she arrives, they only stay for three more months, long enough for Harriet to become pregnant and Mark decides he has been a failure as a missionary. They return to Massachusetts and life becomes more complicated for them as he looses his pastorate and becomes enthralled with the freedom of the slaves during the Civil War. He leaves and goes to Kansas where he is almost killed...... wonderfully written and much food for thought. I loved it almost as much as her :"Winter Wheat" novel.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A more complex plot than many of Walker's novels,with fully-realized protagonists. Although some of her language is outdated, she offers a new perspective on the interaction of European and Native cultures on the frontier in the context of the impending Civil War. I continue to be amazed that Walker is not better known outside of context of regional writers of the Great Plains and mountain West. DO NOT read the James Welch introduction before reading the novel! All he does is offer a blow-by-blow summary of the entire plot--a real spoiler.

[Micebyliz · Rating 3 out of 5]

a story of love and trust and sacrifice in a West that was changing and a young country that desperately needed to change.
not a simplistic account by any means, but a complex story loosely based on historical fact.

[Charmaine Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very origional story about early American missionary work to the Indians. I have also read "Winter Wheat" by Mildred Walker and The "Curlews Cry" and liked them both.

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so pleased to find this author. I like her blend of history, psychological and relationship insights in a novel. Hopefully her other books will be just as good.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A page turner with a twist. Who thought spirituality could be such an interesting plot? I liked the use of diary, third person, letters and flashbacks. Never a dull moment!

[Suzanne Kirchner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This would make an excellent screenplay.

[Andi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I struggled with this one. It was supposed to be deep and meaningful, but I found it drudgery.

[Sara Habein · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me all of the first half to really get into it, but I ended up enjoying this a lot.