The Dream Carvers

Much of this novel is based on ancient, pre-Canadian history that takes part in Leifsbudir, what is now Newfoundland. Thrand is a teenaged member of an expedition to the newly discovered land where they plan to use the forested area for ship building. The Greenlanders plan to return home with ships and logs for building materials because of the bereft territory of their country can not support trees.

Thrand is captured by the Beothuk and taken to live with the Osweet band, learning to overcome his homesickness and manage to survive in their way of life. He comes to deeply respect the culture of such a different people, ultimately caring for Abidith, a fascinating young woman with the power to enter into others’ thoughts and dreams.

In show more my view, this dream aspect was a vehicle to depict the Beothuk way of life and their customs amongst the community. The characterization wasn't especially vivid and Thand seemed more of a token to observe and learn (with the reader benefiting) than an actual, vital participant in the Osweet community.

Perhaps as a middle-grade story, the story arc was meant as teaching model of an Indigenous life we can only have knowledge from archaeologically-informed details. In this day and age, I'm not comfortable with suggesting the book as anything but a readable historical adventure, rather than a credible view of the Beothuk lifestyle. show less

The Dream Carvers, Joan Clark's teen historical novel, is a coming of age story about Thrand, a fourteen-year-old Greenlander kidnapped by the Osweet, a local First Nation tribe. An important part of Canada's ancient history of Newfoundland, the Osweet contact with the Norsemen who sailed there in search of timber to build ships, is presented through Thrand's struggle to return home. Two opposing cultures, clashing morally and ethically, are juxtaposed. Thrand must choose between his stern, violent and unforgiving upbringing and the more gentle, compromising way of life with the Osweet.
Thrand falls in love with Abidith, sister to the young Osweet murdered by his own people, but she chooses to marry someone else. His emotional journey is show more depicted through his dreams and carvings. This is a good read, educational as well as entertaining. show less

Beothuk, Vikings, New World