The Mourning Wars

by Karen Steinmetz

Based on true events, THE MOURNING WARS is a gripping, powerful, and utterly memorable historical novel. In 1704, Mohawk Indians attacked the frontier village of Deerfield, Massachusetts, killing 50 and kidnapping 112 more, including John Williams, a Puritan minister and prize hostage, and his children. This is Eunice's remarkable story, fictionalized but based on meticulous research, about a seven-year-old girl's separation from her family, harrowing march to Canada, gradual acceptance of her new Native American life, and ultimate decision at 16 to marry an Indian and reject her stern father's pleadings to return to the fold.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Young Adult, 18th Century, Fiction, Childrens, Teen

240 pages, Hardcover

First published August 24, 2010

About the author

KAREN STEINMETZ lives in Grandview, New York.

Reviews

[Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

In spite of the awful cover, this is a book to consider reading and rereading. We've seen plenty of child-abducted-by-Indians stories over the years, and many of them are still assigned in schools. Steinmetz does extensive research to follow the true life case of a little girl named Eunice who was taken by a Canadian tribe and eventually grew up to accept their ways (and the Catholic faith of the local missionary) and marry into the community. The story is gripping, and the characters realistic without the book boiling down to the usual white people = bad, Native American = good tropes. A meaningful and interesting read. - B

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Mourning Wars was a good book overall, but at times it got very slow. It's about a Puritian girl named Eunice whose village is raided by Native Americans. She is adopted into an important family, and from there it is about whether she will stay with the people who adopted her, or try to return to her old life with her father. I liked it except for a few minor details that didn't matter but just bothered me. First, on the cover, it says "Raised a Mohawk". This bothered me because at no point in the book were the people called Mohawks. Of course, this makes no difference in the story, but it bothered me because I kept expecting another tribe to steal her again.
Second, I hated how Eunice/A'onote and the others started calling each other by their baptismal names (Marguerite and Francois, etc.). I know it's historically accurate, but it just didn't sound right.
Third, the ending. It came out of nowhere and was kind of sad and dissappointing, not just because it wasn't good but because the last few lines were actually kind of dissappointing and renouncing.
But, otherwise, it was quite good, and I would reccommend it.

[Beth Kakuma-Depew · Rating 2 out of 5]

Born a puritan....Raised a mohawk. Sounds good, right? I like dry historical fiction, and while the setting was nicely written, none of the characters were interesting. Maybe someone with the attention span of a grown-up could have finished it.

[Tracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based on a true story of a girl named Eunice whose family was captured by a tribe of Native Americans. I found the story intriguing, but I found the character too distant for me.

[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and better than expected.

[Elizabeth Hobson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good historical novel. I really enjoyed Eunice/A'onote's journey from Puritan child to Canienga woman. Highly recommended.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

One Sentence Review: I'd have told you that you can't write this kind of novel anymore, but Steinmetz does a fairly decent job without having to resort to black and white characterizations.

[Julie (Let's Read Good Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this one a lot. Writing style was occasionally stiff, but the story was very engrossing. Full review to follow

[Angie Fehl · Rating 3 out of 5]

In 1704, seven year old Eunice Williams is growing up in the Puritan community of Deerfield, Massachusetts (where her father is the reverend) when she is captured by Mohawk men during an Indian raid. Nearly everyone from Deerfield ends up separated. Eunice and her friend JoAnna are taken by the same group and marched for weeks until they arrive at a Mohawk settlement in Canada. There the girls are split up, Eunice being handed over to a family within the tribe who had lost their only daughter. Eunice sees little else as an option but to settle into her new life among the Mohawk people. Given the new name A'onote, she is fed well, given warm, comfortable clothing, and even a pet dog. JoAnna is taken in by another family and renamed Gentiyo. Gentiyo finds that she really likes the sense of community around the settlement, more so than what she experienced in Deerfield, as her contributions seem more valued among the Mohawk people.

Eunice / A'onote continues to live in the settlement through her teen years, when she decides to marry one of the tribe braves. It is also around this time she reconnects with her biological father, who urges her to return to her previous life. But is it too late to turn back?

Based on the true 18th century life story of Eunice Williams of Deerfield, MA, this is a nice starter book to introduce middle grade readers not only to history but historical fiction. The characters and plot are decently engaging though not always riveting.

[Shayshkers · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is rich and truth be told, I learned some history about a war I never really think about. It's a great coming of age book about living in two worlds, and how those worlds are similar but so very different. Also as another reviewer said, it was nice for there not to be such a hard line between who was good and who was bad, much like reality. I felt the author did a great job on being tasteful for certain parts of the story that might otherwise be uncomfortable. The only real bone I have to pick about the writing style is how the present tense still felt so passive. It wasn't to a point where I had any temptation to DNF it, but at times I did struggle with the flow. A solid book. 3.5 stars

[Amy Galloway · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy historical fiction and this story does not disappoint. When 7 year old Eunice is captured along with most of her family, she is thrust into a new world. Her young memories fade and resurface as she becomes enfolded into her new family and valued in ways that are not permitted in her old life. She embraces the Native ways, comes to love her Mohawk family and even becomes a Catholic, becoming more herself as a result of these layers of experience. An excellent story resting on historical details.

[Danielle · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

So incredibly boring.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fictionalized story of Eunice Williams, who in 1704 was abducted from her Deerfield, Mass. settlement by Mowhawks. She was adopted by a couple whose little girl died, raising Eunice in her stead. Follows Eunice from the age of 7 until she marries at 15. The story is written in third person-present tense, which I found jarring for historical fiction. I thought Eunice adapted a little too quickly to "savage" life (as her father was a Puritan minister who denounced the natives as evil) and accepted her situation a little too easily. There were a great number of names beginning with 'A' among her tribe (including the name they give her, A'onote), making it difficult to discern who's who. Several were difficult to pronounce, catching me up in trying to work them out and stalling the pace of the story. I know the author was probably trying to remain true to history, but altering them a bit would have made for a smoother read. Despite all that, the story itself was interesting.

[Stephanie A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

They keep coming up with stories about settlers being taken captive by Indians, I'll keep reading them, but this one's characters never really came to life. The historical note was the most intriguing part.

[Jennifer]

this book was painful to get through. I just could not get into it. Moving on...

[Bridget]

Not in the mood to finish a boring book. Loved the premise but that's about it. Sorry.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was okay, but the point of view keep me from really enjoying it.