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utahmomreads's review against another edition
4.0
After reading the synopsis of Black Hills, I was anxious to read it and so glad to win a copy from FirstReads.
Paha Sapa, a Lakota, has spiritual gifts that allow him to see the past and future of those he touches. Not only that, he carries the ghost of Custer throughout his own fascinating life.
The writing is superb. The character of Paha Sapa (which means "Black Hills") is extraordinary, rare and yet entirely human.
The history is well researched and spans the period of Custer's battles with the Sioux, Cheyenne and other tribes in the 1870's to Borglum's masterful work on Mt. Rushmore during the 1930's. Mixed throughout the story with ease are interesting historical facts covering things such as the World's Fair in Chicago and the building of the Brooklyn Bridge.
The main setting of the Black Hills is almost as important as the main character. Simmons writes beautiful descriptions of the incredible, transforming landscape. After reading a biography on Theodore Roosevelt, I'm anxious to visit the Bad Lands. Now, I'll insist that we spend time in the Black Hills as well.
Simmons shifts time periods with ease in spite of not writing in chronological order. And ultimately the story takes precedent. It is, of course, most importantly about the story.
My only criticisms and the reason for giving the book only four stars as opposed to five are the semi-gratuitous and fairly ridiculous sex scenes near the beginning between Custer and his wife (who apparently had zero inhibitions, according to Simmons). However, they are short, possibly character defining and would not prevent me from recommending this book to most of my friends. And the ending is overly fanciful and Simmons spends too much time ranting about his agenda.
Paha Sapa, a Lakota, has spiritual gifts that allow him to see the past and future of those he touches. Not only that, he carries the ghost of Custer throughout his own fascinating life.
The writing is superb. The character of Paha Sapa (which means "Black Hills") is extraordinary, rare and yet entirely human.
The history is well researched and spans the period of Custer's battles with the Sioux, Cheyenne and other tribes in the 1870's to Borglum's masterful work on Mt. Rushmore during the 1930's. Mixed throughout the story with ease are interesting historical facts covering things such as the World's Fair in Chicago and the building of the Brooklyn Bridge.
The main setting of the Black Hills is almost as important as the main character. Simmons writes beautiful descriptions of the incredible, transforming landscape. After reading a biography on Theodore Roosevelt, I'm anxious to visit the Bad Lands. Now, I'll insist that we spend time in the Black Hills as well.
Simmons shifts time periods with ease in spite of not writing in chronological order. And ultimately the story takes precedent. It is, of course, most importantly about the story.
My only criticisms and the reason for giving the book only four stars as opposed to five are the semi-gratuitous and fairly ridiculous sex scenes near the beginning between Custer and his wife (who apparently had zero inhibitions, according to Simmons). However, they are short, possibly character defining and would not prevent me from recommending this book to most of my friends. And the ending is overly fanciful and Simmons spends too much time ranting about his agenda.
deanna_rigney's review against another edition
4.0
For a story about a Lakota Indian that doesn’t talk much, this book was a mighty word festival. Simmons is an excellent writer, and I never knew I’d like historical fiction so much until I started reading his work, but good grief the man needs to edit himself more. It was very entertaining though, despite its lengthy explanations and overwrought “natural free human beings” speak. Paha Sapa’s life story spans seven decades, starting with his life in the Black Hills of South Dakota as a boy in the 1870s, to his work as a powder man during the carving of Mount Rushmore in the 1930s. Lakota culture, language, and spirituality are explored throughout. Simmons also likes to add a touch of the mystical, which in this case involves Paha Sapa’s abilities to touch someone and “see things.” This talent, or curse as is sometimes the case, makes for some interesting story lines.
candacesiegle_greedyreader's review against another edition
4.0
Black Hills--Paha Sapa in Lakota--is the name of a place as well as the protagonist of Dan Simmons new novel. As a ten year old boy, arriving at the very end of the Battle of the Little Big Horn, Paha Sapa seizes the chance to count coup on one of the last survivors of the fight. When he touches the blond man at the very moment of the man's death, the spirit of George Armstrong Custer enters the boy's body.
This is not the first time such a thing has happened to this kid, but it is different to have a spirit in the back of your head constantly mumbling in a foreign language. None of the ceremonies designed to banish the ghost ever materialize, and Paha Sapa and Custer roll into a future that includes the 1893 World's Fair, the building of Mount Rushmore, and the Ghost Dance.
Black Hills is finely written and filled with interesting events and a multifaceted character. How do I explain why the novel never grabbed me? I cannot find any fault in the book except to say that it did not compel me to rush back and pick it up to find out what happened next. It did not move me as did, say, James Welch's Heartsong of Charging Elk. Nonetheless, I recommend Black Hills. I may come back to it in the future and find the experience I hoped for.
This is not the first time such a thing has happened to this kid, but it is different to have a spirit in the back of your head constantly mumbling in a foreign language. None of the ceremonies designed to banish the ghost ever materialize, and Paha Sapa and Custer roll into a future that includes the 1893 World's Fair, the building of Mount Rushmore, and the Ghost Dance.
Black Hills is finely written and filled with interesting events and a multifaceted character. How do I explain why the novel never grabbed me? I cannot find any fault in the book except to say that it did not compel me to rush back and pick it up to find out what happened next. It did not move me as did, say, James Welch's Heartsong of Charging Elk. Nonetheless, I recommend Black Hills. I may come back to it in the future and find the experience I hoped for.
bethsponz's review against another edition
4.0
The narrator Paha Sapa, meaning The Black Hills, is a Sioux Indian who in his later life works on Mount Rushmore in the 1930’s as a powder man. We go back and forth in time as he tells his story. So many events and people are part of this book: the carving and blasting of Mount Rushmore, history of the Black Hills, The Battle of Little Bighorn, General Custer, The Dust Bowl of the Western Plains, The Chicago’s World Fair, Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, and the Lakota and Sioux history. It is supernatural historical fiction. A ghost story twist on American history. I look forward to reading his other books, such as The Terror and The Abominable.
rlwaite's review against another edition
1.0
This book is really really really very very very tedious.
trishwah's review against another edition
I found this hard to follow and long. When it was time for it to go back to the library, I didn't feel motivated to do the kindle trick. Just couldn't get invested.
rodbmoser's review against another edition
2.0
I have read a couple of Dan Simmons books and thoroughly enjoyed them (The Terror, Drood) so I was very excited when I saw this at Barnes and Noble and picked it up. The story revolves around the Dakotas and the building of Mount Rushmore. The historical figures in the book are vivid but the story seemed to drag for me. The author brought you back and forth from the protagonists youth to his elderly years and it felt really in-congruent. Interesting story but not it didn't hold my interest like The Terror and Drood.
read_run_repeat_2024's review against another edition
4.0
Dan Simmons’ Black Hills takes the reader on a journey through the stormy period of transition in the Midwest, from the late 19th to the early 20th Century. Much of the books is from the perspective of a Lakota (Sioux) Indian named Paha Sapa (“Black Hills”). The cultural and historical significance of the actual Black Hills region is a common thread throughout the book - from an individual’s namesake and world to the rather abrupt transformation into Mount Rushmore.
Simmons’ story travels back and forth chronologically as Paha Sapa ages - beginning when the ghost of general George Armstrong Custer enters him during a battle. The novel is also peppered with examples of periods of transition in America’s history, including the triumphs and innovations of the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago to the devastating impact of war, loss, and societal change.
Readers who are interested in Native American culture may appreciate the historically accurate references to the values, beliefs, art, and language of the Lakota, which are intertwined within beautiful, natural landscapes.
Simmons’ story travels back and forth chronologically as Paha Sapa ages - beginning when the ghost of general George Armstrong Custer enters him during a battle. The novel is also peppered with examples of periods of transition in America’s history, including the triumphs and innovations of the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago to the devastating impact of war, loss, and societal change.
Readers who are interested in Native American culture may appreciate the historically accurate references to the values, beliefs, art, and language of the Lakota, which are intertwined within beautiful, natural landscapes.
craigmchenry's review against another edition
4.0
Riveting! This is historical fiction ranking right up there with Ken Follett and James Michener with a fantasy twist.