Bright Feather

by Robert Wilder

Book is signed by the author. A Dramatic Novel of Early Florida

Genres: Historical Fiction

408 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1948

About the author

Robert Ingersoll Wilder was a novelist, playwright and screenwriter. Wilder's childhood was spent at Daytona Beach, Florida. Following a stint in the United States Army during World War I, he was educated at Stetson University and Columbia University. At various times in his life, Mr. Wilder was a soda jerk, a ship fitter, a theater usher, a shipping clerk, a newspaper copy boy, a publicity agent, a radio executive, and a journalist.

Mr. Wilder traveled widely and contributed stories to The New Yorker, among other magazines. He was author of two plays, Sweet Chariot, based on the life and career of activist Marcus Garvey, and Stardust, both of which were produced on Broadway. He also wrote the screenplay for the classic western, The Big Country, in 1958.

Mr. Wilder was married and had a son.

Reviews

[Mike Stewart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another of my Florida reads. "Bright Feather" is an example of the type of historical novel that was once popular but ceased to be so, probably in the 80's or 90's. Wilder's story is a vivid tale of the Seminole War and the lives of two young men, Clay Hammond, the grandson of a loathsome Apalachicola plantation owner, and Asseola (Osceola), the Seminole war chief. The two are boyhood friends who largely go their separate ways and are reunited after Asseola's capture. The bright feather of the title of course refers to Asseola.
Wilder does bring the Florida of the era back to vivid life with tons of detail - some of which I suspect only existed in his imagination. Some of his characters, especially Clay's grandfather, are over-the-top exaggerations. There is a bodice-ripping element to his female characters, especially Clay's unfaithful wife, Claire.
Despite the centrality of the Clay-Asseola relationship, much of the novel is centered around Clay, his trip to St. Augustine where he meets Jamie and Claire and all that ensues. While entertaining enough, all of this is almost beside the point and doesn't do a great deal to advance the main narrative.
Wilder's account of the Seminole War is reasonably accurate and he correctly emphasizes the role of race and slavery. What is a little jarring to modern readers is the racism implicit in his depiction of African American characters and the casually benign view he seems to take of slavery.

[Eevi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story. It makes me want to read the history of the Native Americans in Florida. I do think a few items were unnecessary for the story, but they were very limited.

[Michael Shayeson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this book in my local bookstore. Written in 1948, this historical fiction about the life of “Osceola” and his childhood white friend was a fascinating tale describing their lives and the Seminole War. Really gave me a better understanding of those times through a very entertaining story.