The Indian Lover: A Novel

by Garth Murphy

With a sweeping sense of history and landscape that contributed to making Larry McMurtry's Lonesome Dove a classic, and the precise sense of character and passion that made Cold Mountain so successful, Garth Murphy has written a brilliant saga about California in its last days as part of Mexico, and about the lives of those caught up in this moment of historical high drama. Peopled with a sumptuous cast of characters, both real and fictional -- Indians fighting for their survival against the Mexicans and the coming Americans; Hispanics desperate to hold on to the vast tracts of land they have usurped from the missionaries and the Indians; vibrant women determined to assert themselves in a man's world; adventurers, soldiers, scoundrels and heroes -- The Indian Lover tells a major story in the history of our nation, a clash of three cultures that has never been fully explored in fiction, and does it with drama, dazzling storytelling, and a scrupulous sense of reality. The Indian Lover opens in 1844 with the arrival of William Marshall, a penniless young American seaman, sailing down the coast of California aboard the whaler Hopewell. Enchanted by all he sees, Bill jumps ship in San Diego and falls in love with the mayor's elegant daughter, Lugarda. Thwarted in his bid to marry Lugarda and rejected by the Mexicans, Bill and his cultured Indian companion, Pablo, journey north to seek shelter in the crumbling grandeur of Mission San Luis Rey, Pablo's childhood home. But there is no going back, for either of them, and Pablo leads Bill farther and farther into the wilderness, to the native town of Cupa, where they take up life with the local tribe. Pablo and Bill settle into Indian Pablo dancing with the warriors, plotting against the wrongs done to him and his people by the Mexicans; Bill, innocent and naïve, pining for Lugarda, learning the native ways, helping them to cope with the arriving Americans, and sliding into love with Falling Star, the beautiful daughter of the chief. Their love blooms, and Bill becomes dangerously involved in his adopted tribe's struggles, never imagining the eventual cost of his stubborn but divided loyalties and of the enemies he is making. Garth Murphy has crafted a novel of immense breadth, at once a great love story and an extraordinary unsung chapter of American history. The Indian Lover shouts out with the growl of a grizzly, the sing of an arrow, the lover's cry, the toll of a mission bell, the crack of the lash on bent back, the rattlesnake's rattle, the sizzle of white-hot steel on living flesh, the roar of the mob, the silent struggle, the splash of falling tears on bare breast. Overflowing with affection, delight, wit, and insight, The Indian Lover captures the heart and imagination with timeless prose and holds them captive to the thrilling end.

448 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I live in No. County and spend a good bit of time in Warner Springs Ranch. The book is set in San Diego County in the mid 1800's. The mexicans and americans are fighting for lands that belong to the indians. The indians are trying desperately to get along with everyone and still keep hold of what has always been theirs. I cried at the end.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was quickly entranced by the historical details and beautiful descriptions of the land and life in southern California before it was annexed to the United States. The author created a believable and endearing cast of characters and a story that was engaging and made it hard to put the book down. As the story progressed, I cared more and more about the fate of the main characters, much as the protagonist, Bill Marshall, did with the Cupa Indians. The author did a great job of avoiding hackneyed or cliche dialogue, a pitfall a lesser writer would be apt to fall into in a story of this sort. In particular, when it came to the Indian characters, their voices were each unique and authentic sounding. Furthermore, the handling of dialogue in multiple languages was done seamlessly and clearly. Although I am not an historian by any stretch, I felt throughout that the details (historical, geographical, and cultural) that put the meat on the bones of the story were accurate and thoroughly, if not exhaustively, researched.

The bottom line is that I found this to be an excellent read (I would give it 4.5 stars if that was an option), thoroughly moving and full of beautiful, deftly rendered prose. For anyone with an interest in the history of California, San Diego County in particular, Mexican/American relations, the history of the cattle "industry" or who just likes a good love story - you'll find it all here and more. If tears are a measure of emotional investment in a story, then by the end I was fully vested.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

We visit Warner Springs about once a month and were fortunate enough to hear the author speak about this book. This is an interesting story of some key figures in the history of the area and was especially meaningful because I have been to nearly every setting in the story.

[Kindra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book on San Diego history, makes you look at your surroundings as a San Diegan quite differently. Loved most the insight into Indian life during this time, a must read if you have ever lived in the area.

[Jeni · Rating 3 out of 5]

I cant believe I finally finished this book! I was not sucked in at any point, but did it enjoy it overall. It has been my backup book for a few months now-lots of San Diego history.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the few books that tells the story of the settling of the San Diego area from the viewpoint of the Indian. The history and way of life of the Indians was very interesting.

[Judy Michell Hagseth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good historical novel that anyone living in San Diego County will enjoy learning more about the region and native people.

[Doug Fiske · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deeply researched, inventive story, enjoyable reading.