The Last of the Mohicans
James Fenimore Cooper
1826
4/5 stars
I'm not particularly interested in American history nor American literature, so while I enjoy British books from the mid-to-late 19th Century, I've read very little by Americans. This is one of those classics that I've "always meant to read" but never thought would be interesting enough. I was wrong.
The Last of the Mohicans is exactly what one would expect if a Victorian melodrama/adventure was uprooted from Britain and placed in the wilds of North American -- a rugged tale, full of war and daring deeds, shaped by the wildness of the land. There is an obvious love story, and one that is hidden, but the real focus of relationships is that of father-to-son and friend-to-friend.
Yes, it's dated, and at times cringe-worthy. However, Cooper saves the word "savage" for the enemies of his hero Native Americans, the Mohicans and the Delaware, and shows a sensitivity to the Native American culture that I didn't expect.
While I wouldn't say that The Last of the Mohicans changed my point-of-view about American literature, I will say that I was quite impressed. I was engrossed in this adventure, was moved to tears on a few occasions, and loved it much more than I expected. I wouldn't hesitate to read more of Cooper's novels.
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