The White Dawn: An Eskimo Saga

by James A. Houston

In 1896, three survivors from a whaling misadventure are nursed back to health by Eskimo villagers who share their food, women, and way of life with the strangers. In return, the foreigners introduce to the villagers the spirit of competitiveness that rules the white man's world. Map and drawings by the Author.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Adventure, Canada, Indigenous, Historical, Novels

275 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1971

About the author

James Archibald Houston

Reviews

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever seen Inuit art? I'm not talking about the cheap tourist stuff, you know the white bears with green fish in thier mouthes (not there is anything wrong with that. I like polar bears). I mean the expensive art.

I love Inuit art. I have loved it since I first saw it. The first real piece of art I ever brought was, you guessed it, Inuit art. There is something about it that tells a story. Even my Inukshuk
(the stone piles) tells a story, and its not just the craving, its the stone itself that tells a story. Primal is the wrong word. Its deep, its life, its perfection. You may not know what the story is, but you know that is a story.

This book was written by James Archibald Houston who is in part responible for bringing westerns (non-Inuit) to Inuit art. In truth, it starts a little slow, but like the art work, it becomes engrossing and consuming. You know how it is going to end, you have to, yet you hope, you wonder, and you admire the story told in such a loving way. A story that looks at first simplstic but becomes much deeper.

Like Inuit art.

[Magdelanye · Rating 5 out of 5]

For someone unused to snow, this book amazed me with it's detail. My admiration for the ingenuity, resilience and wisdom of the Inuit is boundless. Faced with the challenge of survival in such an extreme environment, they are tuned in to it in an often precarious balance.

That balance is tipped when the village rescues three whalers separated from their boat. This story is based on a true account from around the turn of the 18th Century. JH spent 12 years in the North and was familiar with the landscape and customs of the people, living amongst them.Writing from the point of view of the lonely and inquisitive Avinga, he gives us an eloquent account of the events that ended up fracturing his world.

[Brittney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not fathom what life would be to live in such a place, so cold and desolate. Using my instinct and the knowledge passed down by generations as my only map of survival. This book was an eye opener and divulging in itself regarding the polarity in lifestyle, traditions and taboos shared among these amazingly resourceful natives and foreigners from a far away land. Reading this book demands one to question the position of our own so called communities and culture. Sometimes, I think I would much rather live among the Inuit people, eating raw meat.

[Heather Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

My book club read this book because it was referenced in another book club read, The Enchanted. We thought it would be interesting to see why one of the characters loved it so much.

I loved it. Three whalers are found by hunters from an Eskimo village. The book covers the year that these three live with the villagers. I liked the insight to what it was like to live in a remote northern nomadic village and live off the land... or the sea. The story is told by Avinga, the half son, half cripple, half slave to the household of the head of the village.

This story is based on true events.

[Thomas Ryan Lloyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very intriguing book and as someone fascinated by Inuits it transported me to the tundra in which the story is set. I would highly recommend as the author was able to capture the culture and harsh way of life in 274 pages!

[Ed Bremson · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've ever read. However, it is not to be rushed through. Once I realized that, I slowed down, often reading aloud to myself, savoring the good writing and wonderful story told from this limited and charming point of view. I saw a little of the film The White Dawn on TV LONG ago, and it looked really good. I may watch the film someday soon, but in the meantime I'm really enjoying the book. I mean, if Faulkner can write a tale told by an idiot, Houston can write a tale told by a crippled Eskimo boy. Love it.

[Harriett Milnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author lived in the Inuit territory of Canada for twelve years and heard this tale of 3 whalers who were rescued by the Inuit and lived with them for a year. Very good.

[Al · Rating 5 out of 5]

Canadian author and artist James Houston lived among the Inuit in northern Canada for a dozen years, and is perhaps best known as the individual who brought Inuit art and sculpture to commercial success. He published a number of books, both for adults and children, of which White Dawn was his most successful. Calling on his intimate knowledge of Inuit culture, Houston wrote a fictionalized version of what he says are true events: the crew of a small whaleboat in 1896 in Baffin Bay is towed beyond the possibility of return to the mother ship; three survivors, nearly dead, are found by an Inuit group, restored to health, and generously accepted into the community. The magic of the book is in Houston's exquisite rendering of the Inuit culture, its day to life, and the simplicity and happiness of their life style, all set against the harsh and beautiful climate in which they live. The recounting of cross-cultural difficulties and their ultimate resolution is handled with sensitivity and fairness. Highly recommended.

[Margaret Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

At some point during the 12 years Jame Houston spent on North West Territory's Baffin Island, during which he was the first civil administrator of West Baffin Island and, as such, dogsledded around, absorbing Innuit lore and culture, he heard the tale of the 3 white-skinned whalers who, in 1896, stranded and nearly dead from cold and starvation, had been found by the Innuit and nurtured back to health. This is Houston's narration of that story, in the 1st person voice of Avinga, a young Innuit man who, crippled from a dogsled accident and thus sidelined from the usual male hunting and fishing activities, has become an acute observer of everything happening in the self-contained Innuit community after the arrival of the 3 strangers. A profound story of life and death in the far north as lived by people in perfect balance with the laws of nature, it instructs the attentive listener on a host of levels. So very glad I came across it!!!

[Don Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of my favorite authors about life in the Arctic, I read this book back in the early 1980s (1983, Academic Press edition) after I returned from working in High Arctic Islands for three seasons as a wildlife biologist. I found it on my bookshelf after revisiting the Arctic this summer and read it again to see how my perspective has changed. Good read if you want to know something about what Inuit life was like at the time of first European contact.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this while I was in high school. I only have a vague recollection of this book. I had to google to get the title. lel But I always remember fondly that 'Eskimo book' that I binge read and thoroughly enjoyed one summer when life was still simple.

[Jaime · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book during a visit to Chicago's Museum of Natural History. The Inuit exhibit at the museum has aways fascinated me. In my trips to Eastern Canada and Alaska, I became familiar with the Inuit culture and the impact of Europeans and Anglos on the land and people. I must say that the book filled in the gaps and re-stated what I believed about the Inuit people.

James Houston's book has warmth, heart, truth, and objectivity. His tale of three whalers/hunters who are shipwrecked on the ice flow near Baffin Island sets the tale of their experiences among the Inuit people. They are rescued and adopted as 'dog children' by the Inuit group. In time, their ways and attitudes become a problem for the clan. Warnings from the local shaman and their disrespect creates a chasm. The book does meander at times but everything covered has importance in the overall tale. This book delicately deals with topics of privacy, faith, respect, survival, family, and sex. This book has a genuine feel about it which is tribute to Mr. Houston's writing talent.

Overall, the tale is somber and sadly predictable but still quite rewarding. This is one of those book's that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.

After reading the book, I looked for the movie based on the book.

[Anna Engel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read “White Dawn” as an tween/early teen. It’s the first book that I remember making me cry. Reading the book as an adult has been a much more poignant experience. Houston’s language is beautiful in its simplicity. Savor the words like you would a soft summer evening.

What I found constantly amazing were the ingenious ways the Inuit adapted to life in the Arctic—with no wood for fire, no iron or steel for tools, and no land to farm. And as with countless other indigenous peoples, the arrival of the white man (even Portagee) ruins everything. You’re forced to confront your personal Western point of view because who do you mourn? The deaths of three “civilized” men, who are more representative of my history and culture, or the death of a culture that’s completely foreign to me?

Oddly, I’ve read several books in the last few months about the Arctic, shipwrecked sailors/whalers, and/or disasters in cold climates (Heart of the Sea, In the Land of the White Death, Into the Abyss).

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating look at a vanished way of life!
The brutal struggle for survival is documented with a multitude of details about nature, hunting, and basic survival skills in the far north, as well as the Eskimo/Innuit culture.
The clash of beliefs, attitudes, taboos, and practices between a traditional extended native family and the three rescued whalers is very interesting. Houston presents many beliefs and practices which are fundamentally different from our own. But overall there is so much in common among any group of humans, it is not hard to become fully immersed in the story.
Where Houston’s book “Confessions of an Igloo Dweller” is more an autobiographical recounting of survival and adventure, this book, also based on real (historical) events, is more of a shocking and deeply moving story.
Recommended for anyone who can keep an open mind to appreciate the differences between what we are used to and a very different perspective within a very different life.

[Scilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the small boats off a whaling ship disappears with 6 men north of Hudson Bay in 1897. The story has been passed down by the Eskimos through the generations; most of the story is based on a story heard by the author while living in the Canadian Arctic. Three of the missing men were discovered by a group of Eskimos, brought to their igloos and given food and shelter. One of the men learned some of the Eskimo speech, but they all seemed very strange to the natives. The descriptions of how the Eskimos lived are wonderful. The whalers lived with the family group together for about a year, but finally the culture clash was too much.

[Patrice Clifford · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd really like to give this book 3.75 stars, if that were possible. The story is a bit slow, which is why I rate it less than four stars. However, it is packed with fascinating insights into the Eskimo culture along West Baffin Island in the late 1800s. I liked the story, and would definitely recommend it to any readers who enjoy learning about the life, traditions and perspectives of other cultures.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good ole yarn...dame ole story of european peoples have bad effect on the native peopla and their culture. Sad story. Great read. Read the Book as it is book narattor in "The Enchanted" kept referencing.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Exciting beginning and emotional ending. Very slow in the middle. Almost lost interest but the last few chapters made me glad I stuck with it. 3 1/2 stars.

[Lacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a story based off of some true events. I thought it was pretty good. Sailors get stranded and learn to live among the eskimos.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A heart-breaking story about the clash of two civilizations, and what arrogance and selfishness can create. It's also full of fascinating information about the old-time Eskimos.

[jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

would be giving this a 3 and half if I could.

[Ingrid · Rating 3 out of 5]

I lost interest. It’s the usual story of the balance of life in an indigenous group of Inuit upset by the arrival of white men. Perhaps I’ll finish it another time.

[James Digate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story very well written. Does not drag at all and will transcend you to the world of the Eskimos.
Great read.

[tyRonE hArDing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, very interesting tale about how eskimos live. Very realistic.

[Alison]

a favorite

[Jinjer]

Narrator of The Enchanted most beloved book.

[Egan Doherty · Rating 2 out of 5]

no

[Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on the 1974 film "The White Dawn".

[Maci · Rating 3 out of 5]

The White Dawn by James Houston is a novel I read for my history of the twentieth century world class. This book is about an Inuit community and what happens when three whalers get lost and an Inuit community takes them in. This book is told from the perspective of one of the Inuit, which makes the whalers the foreigner’s, which is a different take then most books give. This book is a slow read but really gives insight into Inuit way of life. I wouldn’t really recommend this book unless you are interested in learning about Inuit life.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love anthropology, and this book was a window into the frozen north and the amazing, resourceful people who lived there around the turn of the century. It was based on a true story related to the author during the twelve years he lived in the Canadian arctic on a quest for "Eskimo" art. The narrator is a member of the Inuit tribe that saved and cared for three crew survivors from a whaling ship in 1896. Descriptions of hunting, snowhouse building, dancing, singing and native beliefs are detailed and humorous. The clash of cultures results in some comic, but ultimately tragic outcomes. I'm sure this book isn't for everyone, but I enjoyed it thoroughly and learned so much. I was left with the feeling that we have so much to learn about manners, cooperation and brotherhood.