The Scarlet Feather

by Dale Van Every

Vintage paperback

Genres: Historical Fiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 1959

About the author

Born in 1896, American author Dale Van Every turned out a number of volumes on American history, including a biography of Charles Lindbergh. Van Every was also a busy playwright in the 1920s; his Broadway offering Telling the World was filmed in 1929, whereupon the writer set up shop in Hollywood. His screenplays include the literary adaptations Trader Horn (1931) and Murders in the Rue Morgue (1932). In 1937, he shared an Oscar nomination for the film version of Kipling's Captains Courageous. In 1940, Dale Van Every produced the Paramount actioner Rangers of Fortunes, then returned to screenwriting, remaining in this field until 1957. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Reviews

[Christie · Rating 3 out of 5]

My husband saw the picture on the front of this book and said, "What are these Dale Vanevery books, Western Bodice Rippers?" No, this one isn't. It's been the least provocative of the three. And a let down at the end.

[Alton Motobu · Rating 3 out of 5]

In post-Revolutionary War America a group of 3 families settle in Ohio. This is a month-by-month account of their struggles to survive against marauding Indians and near starvation during winter. It is centered around the relationship between reclusive Caleb Lewis and 22-year-old Tracy Carter who marry for convenience. The scarlet feather is a decoration worn by Tracy to try to look more Indian. Good descriptions of frontier life; minimal violence. Eventually Caleb and Tracy grow to love each other, but this is certainly not a love story or romance.