Fathers and Crows

Fathers and Crows examines the cultural collision between French Jesuit missionaries and indigenous peoples in 17th century New France. The narrative follows the Black Robes - as the Jesuits were known - in their attempts to convert the Huron and Iroquois nations to Christianity. The book integrates historical figures into its sweeping narrative, including prominent Jesuits Jean de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, explorer Samuel de Champlain, and Kateri Tekakwitha, who became the first Native American saint. Vollmann reconstructs their experiences through extensive research, primary sources, and imaginative recreation. This 990-page historical novel is part of Vollmann's ambitious Seven Dreams series exploring North American history and colonization. The text shifts between timeframes and perspectives, incorporating maps, documents, and detailed historical notes. The work stands as a complex meditation on faith, cultural imperialism, and the devastating impact of European religious and political systems on indigenous North American societies. Through its layered structure, it raises questions about how history is recorded and whose voices prevail in historical narratives.

Readers describe the book as dense, complex historical fiction that requires focus and patience. Many note the immersive depiction of 17th century New France and appreciate Vollmann's research depth on Jesuit missionaries and Native American cultures. Positives: - Detailed portrayal of historical figures like Saint Marie de l'Incarnation - Raw, unflinching look at colonialism's impacts - Poetic prose style and dream-like sequences - Complex character motivations and moral ambiguity Negatives: - Challenging 990-page length - Frequent digressions and time jumps - Dense theological discussions - Some find the writing style pretentious - Multiple readers report abandoning the book As one Goodreads reviewer notes: "Exhausting but worth it. Like climbing a mountain." Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (50+ ratings) LibraryThing: 4.1/5 (300+ ratings) Many readers rank it among the strongest entries in Vollmann's Seven Dreams series, though some prefer The Ice-Shirt.

Black Robe by Brian Moore Chronicles a Jesuit priest's harrowing journey through the wilderness of New France to convert the Huron people, depicting the stark realities of cultural conflict and religious mission work in colonial North America.

The Mission by Robert Bolt Based on true events, this narrative follows 18th century Jesuit missionaries attempting to protect and convert the Guarani people in South America against the backdrop of colonial political machinations.

The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse by Louise Erdrich Traces the life of a Catholic priest living among the Ojibwe people over decades, weaving indigenous spirituality with Catholic faith while exploring questions of identity and cultural preservation.

The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco Set in a 14th century monastery, this historical murder mystery delves into medieval Christian theology, church politics, and the intersection of faith and power through intricate historical detail.

The Orenda by Joseph Boyden Tells the intertwined stories of a Huron warrior, a young Iroquois girl, and a Jesuit missionary in 17th century New France through multiple perspectives on the collision of cultures and beliefs.

🔹 The "Seven Dreams" series, of which this book is Volume 2, took Vollmann over 30 years to complete, with the final volume released in 2015. 🔹 The Jesuit missionaries detailed in the book wrote extensive letters and reports called "Relations," which provided some of the earliest and most detailed European accounts of Native American life. 🔹 The title "Fathers and Crows" refers to the Jesuit priests (Fathers) and the ravens (Crows) sacred to the Mohawk people, symbolizing the clash between European and Indigenous spiritual beliefs. 🔹 Among the real historical figures depicted is Saint Jean de Brébeuf, who created the first dictionary of the Huron language and wrote the earliest known Canadian Christmas carol. 🔹 The book spans nearly 1,000 pages and took Vollmann seven years to research and write, including extensive travels throughout Canada and consultation of primary historical documents in multiple languages.