book data
756 ratings, 3.70 average rating, 66 reviews
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published
February 2003
by Tandem Library
binding
School & Library Binding
isbn
0613709101
(isbn13: 9780613709101)
description
There are certain plots that possess inherent drama, and the saving of a lost child is one of them. In The Buffalo Soldier, Chris Bohjalian--who showe...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 1005)
Read in December, 2008
This is Bohjalian's 8th novel, but my first read of his work. The novel is set in Vermont and deals with the trials faced by a couple who have recently lost two daughters in a flash flood. As they attempt to regroup, they become the foster parents of an African-American boy.
Bohjalian's chapter titles indicate the narrative perspective, but unlike Faulkner's AS I LAY DYING, Bohjalian uses third person limited narration; nevertheless, the effect is to read the same story from multiple...more
Bohjalian's chapter titles indicate the narrative perspective, but unlike Faulkner's AS I LAY DYING, Bohjalian uses third person limited narration; nevertheless, the effect is to read the same story from multiple...more
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Read in November, 2008
Every so often I read a book that brings out my personality and tells me more about the person I am. This is one of those books. I enjoyed this book but not as much as some of Bohjalian's others. I have strong views and convictions about unfaithfulness in a marriage. Speaking only for myself, I know I would never forgive my husband for stepping out and cheating on me. Although in the book there is some type of reconciliation at the end, it was not enough for me. Terry, the cheating husband...more
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Read in August, 2008
The last Bohjalian book I read was "Double Bind", which truly left me in a double bind. It is one of those narratives that makes you want to see the author's story board (ala the movie Memento). Bohjalian incorporated Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatspy" and my respect for him as a tremendous researcher (Midwives, Trans-Sister), expanded--he is clearly a very smart and literary guy too.
BUT, Double Bind made me feel sick. I couldn't put it down and I felt tortured by t...more
BUT, Double Bind made me feel sick. I couldn't put it down and I felt tortured by t...more
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Read in March, 2008
I loved the two other books I read by this author: Midwives and Trans-Sister Radio. I liked the way he took an out of mainstream topic (home birth, sex change operations/NPR) and wove that topic into a gripping narrative. This book I didn't love as much as the ones I read before, but I still found myself reading "just a little bit more."
Terry and Laura's twin daughters are killed in a flood. Two years later, they take in a foster child Alfred, an African American, who is no...more
Terry and Laura's twin daughters are killed in a flood. Two years later, they take in a foster child Alfred, an African American, who is no...more
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Read in August, 2008
This is the second of Chris Bohjalian's books that I have read (the first being Midwives), and he is fast becoming one of my all-time favourite authors.
When Laura and Terry Sheldon foster Alfred, the whole of the small Vermont town in which they live seens to be disrupted. Two years ago the Sheldon's twin daughters were drowned in a tragic accident - this incident had already shocked the townspeople - so the introduction of a 10 year old black boy into the family will either bring t...more
When Laura and Terry Sheldon foster Alfred, the whole of the small Vermont town in which they live seens to be disrupted. Two years ago the Sheldon's twin daughters were drowned in a tragic accident - this incident had already shocked the townspeople - so the introduction of a 10 year old black boy into the family will either bring t...more
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Read in December, 2006
recommends it for:
adults
At first I was not a fan of this novel. I read it for a book club with other teachers in my building because the author was visiting our school.
This book was picked as the book that "If all of Rochester could read one book" this year, so I had high hopes for it.
It took me about 90 pages in before I started to warm up to it; I was set to hate it. I ended up loving it.
Again, one feature of the book that I loved was the various points of view each chapt...more
This book was picked as the book that "If all of Rochester could read one book" this year, so I had high hopes for it.
It took me about 90 pages in before I started to warm up to it; I was set to hate it. I ended up loving it.
Again, one feature of the book that I loved was the various points of view each chapt...more
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Read in June, 2008
recommends it for:
Vermont Residents
I thought the book's beginning was very good. The physical description of the area in Vermont in which the book took place was good.
I felt there was some suspence in the book and that's what kept me reading it.
I dont want to give the ending of this book away, but even though the book ended definitively, I felt that I, as the reader, had some questions and felt there were some issues that weren't dealt with. I felt that with all of the conflicts that occurred within the book that the ...more
I felt there was some suspence in the book and that's what kept me reading it.
I dont want to give the ending of this book away, but even though the book ended definitively, I felt that I, as the reader, had some questions and felt there were some issues that weren't dealt with. I felt that with all of the conflicts that occurred within the book that the ...more
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Read in July, 2007
By the author of Midwives (which I highly recommend), this is the story of a white couple who have just lost their twin girls in a flood. They take in an 11-year old black boy as a foster child. The chapters in the book are told from the perspective of the wife, the husband, the child, and a woman the husband meets on a camping trip and develops a relationship with. I particularly enjoyed the relationship that developed between the boy and foster mom, as well as the boy and an elderly neighbor w...more
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Read in June, 2008
This was recommended by Carol, who loved it. I thought it was good... The ending surprised me, I will say, but it was a bit too nice of a package tied up with a pretty red bow. The characters were interesting if a bit lacking in dimension. Actually, honestly, none of Terry's decisions made any sense. Why is a middle aged guy having a one night stand for the first time in his life during this critical junction? Who knows! It's illogical. Whatever, it's worth a read. I probably won't...more
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Read in August, 2008
recommended to Olivia by:
my mom
This is some good drama. The book is about a couple whose marriage is falling apart due to grieving the loss of their twin daughters in a flood. They live in a rural, very white community in Vermont and end up taking in a black foster child. You get to see the foster child and the couple pull their lives together and become a loving family. My only problem with the writing was that the author doesn't use quotation marks in his dialogue. It takes a while to get use to reading that format.
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Read in November, 2007
Another semi-fluffy novel that tries to be serious and deal with big-deal issues, but honestly, I think he just tries too hard. A book about family loss, foster care/adoption, driving on the east coast, temptation, and floods... that doesn't really delve quite deeply enough. I was tempted to say that it's because the author is male, simply because I could tell that he was male from the way he wrote about the wife... but really, that's not that important. Favorite part: any of the horse scenes...more
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Read in January, 2008
I actually learned a lot about the Buffalo Soldiers, a Black cavalry unit that was stationed in Vermont at Fort Ethan Allen for a few years back in the 19th century. I also appreciate the author setting his novels in Vermont - there are names of places I recognize and the politics of a small state cannot be escaped. Plus, he gives a decent characterization of the hunting culture which is something I never understood before moving here and getting "involved" with a hunter myself. There ...more
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Read in March, 2008
This novel seemed to be lacking the spark, the thought provoking I usually get from Chris Bohjalian books. Laura and Terry are still grieving the drowning of their twin daughters when they decided to take in a foster child. Alfred is ten years old and African American. Each chapter is told from a different perspective and also includes their neighbor’s point of view. It was a quick read, but overall I was left wondering, is that it.
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The book deserves four stars, but I can only give it three because the ending makes me so mad. The first chapter is one of the best opening chapters I have ever read. Bohjalian told me that he changed the ending to a happy/upbeat ending because of 9/11 and he just had to have a more happy ending. I certainly understand his reasons, but I still feel that the ending is a man's fantasy ending, and it makes me mad.
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It got to me. It took a moment to get into (3-4 chapters really) and then I am not sure what made it soooo compelling. I LOATHED Terry and I was made that Laura was so forgiving....but I loved Alfred and I wanted to see how he & Laura developed such a bond from need. Very well written and the perimeter story of the Buffalo soldiers was very interesting as well.
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Read in January, 2007
Sometimes the members of "families" that are created due to circumstances & desires rather than genetics don't tend to take one another for granted and appreciate each other more. This is particularly true of a foster child who's faced the insecurity and uncertainty involved with moving from one household to another in his short 10 year existence.
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Read in November, 2008
Here's the thing, for whatever reason, married men having affairs and getting women (who aren't their wives) pregnant sort of pisses me off. This book had the effect on me. That being said, I really enjoyed it. I like the way it made me interrogate marriage, relationships and the love between a parent and child. It was a good reflection for me.
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Read in November, 2007
I enjoyed this book more than any other fiction I've read in a while. I was trying to read another book by this author, but our library didn't have it so I ended up with this book. I will definitely read more of his books. The ending was a little "too easy" and bothered me, but overall I enjoyed this book and its characters.
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