Author: Martha Bennet Stiles

ISBN: 0-595-40668-8

One Among the Indians is a fictionalised account of a young boy’s journey to the New World. The author is a direct descendant of Tom Savage, the protagonist of the novel. The tone of the book is suitable for teen readers but there is nothing childish about it that would stop an adult from enjoying this book, it is perhaps best described as a historical novel.

The story begins in England as young Tom Savage is at a crossroads. As the youngest his father’s estate will pass to his older brother Arnold and so Tom must decide how he will make his way in the world. When the opportunity to sail to the New World arises, Tom jumps at the chance for adventure, glory and a fortune.

The pace is slower and perhaps not that interesting as Tom’s life in England is described. My biggest bone of contention with the early parts of the book was the detail given to everyday life and routine which sometimes seemed to interrupt the flow of the story as explanations were given to unfamiliar terms and errands. There is one particular part where a slew of events are crammed into a head whirling paragraph.

The author however seems to find her feet as Tom sets sail in the ‘John and Francis’. The harsh realities and the vast difference of life then and now are apparent as soon as the ship and crew run into difficulties throughout the voyage. The readers can sigh with relief (and you will) as Tom reaches Jamestown, the New World colony.

Disillusionment soon sets in however as the beaches filled with gold and precious stones fail to materialise and instead Tom finds himself amidst a settlement of men who are gaunt with hunger and desperate to go home. The familiar character John Smith emerges in this part of the book but a very different John Smith to the one we are all accustomed to in popular culture. 

The most gripping part of the book begins with the exchange of Tom for Namontack, son of the Chief Powhatan. From this point on the story, as the title suggests, Tom’s life among the Indians. It is fascinating journey as Tom adapts to life among his new community. The title is particularly apt as it is clear from start to finish that Tom never feels his loyalty to king and country sway despite the hardships faced by those who have migrated to the colonies. Tom is an Englishman through and through.

That is not to say Tom has no sympathy for the Indians, his new friends, whose land is being taken by the colonists. The book became quite compulsive reading for me, as I wanted to know what happened to each character. I did not grow up with American history so I did not know what the accepted version of events was other than what I’ve learnt from popular culture. The account of what happened to some of the characters was especially welcome. The book was an eye opener in many ways, well researched and an enjoyable read.

The above review was contributed by Deborah Augustin: Click here  to read more of Deborah's Reviews