Queen of Awesome's Awesome Insights: What's in a Name? Book Review of Crow Mary

Description

Crow Mary by Kathleen Grissom is historical fiction set in the 1870s and based on a woman who actually lived and was known for her heroism—she rescued five women during a massacre in Canada in which 40 Nakoda people were murdered. She also testified during the trials of some of the accused, which at that time was unheard of–an indigenous woman testifying in a court of law.

Goes First is still a teenager when her father marries her off to White fur trader Abe Farwell. Farwell takes Goes First to a preacher to get married and the preacher baptizes her and renames her Mary. To differentiate her from other Marys, she is nicknamed Crow Mary, as she is a Crow woman.

Goes First is confused by many of the practices of the White people—they sleep in closed in spaces, unable to see the sky and without fresh air. More than anything else, she is appalled by the practice of selling alcohol to indigenous people, who become completely out of control and addicted when they drink. For his part, Farwell does his best to understand Mary’s take on the world, but considering the cultural understandings and legal system, Goes First is never on the same footing as Farwell.

The massacre and the decisions on how to proceed for justice after put a strain on Goes First and Farwell’s marriage. Will they be able to come back together?

Crow Mary was a book club pick, and not one I would have chosen on my own. It is a challenging read emotionally, as it is set in a difficult time in American history, when there was a great disregard for human lives and the environment. We have not yet fully reckoned with the crimes committed.

Would I Teach This Book?

Would I teach Crow Mary? That is a particularly difficult question to answer. It is important to read about this time period and this history and to discuss it. Literature is a great way to begin a discussion and to think about how historical events impacted individual people. However, in considering books for teaching, it is less subject matter and more quality of writing that is important. That is not to say that subject matter is not important, but that having things to discuss about the writing is of greater importance. Even in a gender studies course, I would be looking for more experimentation or expertise.

That is not to say that Crow Mary is poorly written–it’s not. It is clear that it was well-researched and there was great thought and sensitivity to how the character may have thought and felt. There were no cringy parts that were clearly pandering to current day sensibilities, that feel inauthentic, with the author trying to make misogyny and racism palatable by having a character who has strong sensibilities outside of their time, as many historical fiction books have. There is just nothing that stands out about the writing, no moments that make it feel remarkable.

The story and subject matter, as well as the research and endorsement of by Goes First’s relative and the Crow people that the author consulted make it a great book club read.