Dances with Wolves

I have conflicting ideas about this novel. It is a fast, dramatic, and perhaps even provides a well intentioned perspective on how Native America has been treated. At the same time, this work is deeply problematic. While the entire work is a fantasy, I marvel at the arrogance at the heart of the novel--that a regular army solider would rise up in one season to become one of the most respected Comanche--a person on the same standing as shaman and chief. The ideas about assimilation are complex and the novel does more than the film, but this central premise of the novel is disturbing. To be more charitable, maybe the mass audience needed a white person to be the savior and to tell the story in order to make it interesting and relatable. show more For drawing attention to one of America's darkest histories, the novel does well--to imply that an average outsider can integrate and then lead the tribe is absurd. Can we imagine a novel where a Native American wonders into an American camp, and then in the matter of months is advising Washington and leading the war against the British? Very worth reading, but absolutely essential that the reader unpacks the message more deeply. I hope this is the entry point for others to learn the history of how Native America was cheated and plundered. show less

Lieutenant John J. Dunbar is posted to Fort Sedgewick but arrives to find it empty and abandoned. Deciding to obey his orders, Dunbar makes himself as useful as possible while waiting for his situation to change. He spends his days and nights doing chores alone except for the company of a wolf that occasionally stops by to watch. Then one day Dunbar spies an Indian scout. Convinced that he is about to be raided, he buries the Fort's weapons, intent that the only bounty the natives will gain is his own death. A party does come back for Dunbar and takes him to their camp, wanting to learn the white man's weaknesses from him. Dunbar, eventually renamed Dances With Wolves, becomes completely assimilated into the tribe and with them his deep show more loneliness is cured. Army or not, he is Comanche now.

Like most families from Appalachia, mine has Cherokee blood on both sides, and I've always had a fascination for films and books with Native American characters (especially in their interactions with Caucasians). But while I do enjoy the genre, it's always difficult for me not to feel, even in the smallest measure, the guilt of being part of the culture who assaulted the Great Plains and the Native American people. While reading this book I had the sensation that Blake feels a little of that too. The story of Dunbar falling in love with the Comanches and their way of life mirrors something similar in Blake. His passion and great admiration make this a very engaging read - it goes very quickly and it left me wanting more. show less

I first watched the movie as a kid and loved it so I’ve been eager to read the book for years - and it certainly didn’t disappoint. Michael Blake’s vivid descriptions of the plains and nature were so beautiful that it felt like watching a movie in my mind. Each character, even the minor ones, is well developed. While Loo Ten Nant Dunbar occasionally comes across as a bit of a Mary Sue, his actions and motivations are believable enough to allow you to suspend disbelief and fully enjoy the story.

I also appreciate the book’s underlying message of tolerance, which feels especially important in today’s world.

John J. Dunbar is a Union soldier who has been sent to the remote Fort Sedgewick, which turns out to be completely deserted. Regardless, Dunbar settles in to restore the fort, and is eventually discovered by a curious wolf and more curious Comanches. The relationship between Dunbar and all parties is at first marked by mutual distrust and some hostility, but over time the Indians come to learn that Dunbar shares many qualities in common with them, and he is eventually accepted into the tribe with the name "Dances With Wolves". He finds companionship, respect and love in the Comanche tribe, and eventually must make a choice of life paths between his new brothers and the encroaching White Man. An excellent and engaging book; I actually show more enjoyed it more than the overlong movie it inspired. It was interesting to read of the changes the movie made in the author's afterword. show less

Wow, where to begin... I guess first I will say that I was very timid to read this book because usually when a person is in love with a film as much as I am in love with this book's film and then read the book after seeing said film they end up hating one or the other. However that was actually the complete opposite in this particular case. This book actually delved deeper into the amazing story crafted by the film and the two entities are nearly 100% true to each other. Only subtle changes separate the 2 stories. It's almost as if reading this book gives you a behind-the-scenes and more in-depth look at the character's thoughts, emotions and feelings that somehow makes you appreciate both the book and the movie even more!
Although I show more had deeply wished that the ending portions of the film were simply a fabrication of Hollywood drama, I found out that they were actually from the book itself and at some points were much more horrific and heart wrenching than the movie actually shows. Nevertheless even with tears streaming down my face I can still honestly say that I absolutely loved reading this book and will keep it on my shelf to read again another day. I love this story wholeheartedly and will keep it safe for future generations of my family to read and enjoy. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone! show less

clearly written with engaging characters that become familiar quickly, the story has an ironic or tongue-in-cheek feel in some parts but still delivers historical and dramatic impact. it’s western lite. it skirts a deeper world of cultural relativity, xenophobia, anomie, etc., but does not plunge into it. nothing profound but nonetheless satisfying.

as i understand it, Blake originally wrote it as a screenplay but was convinced to write a book first by Costner and the other friend of his who was involved in the movie. therefore, if you’ve seen the movie, you’ve nearly already read the book. there are aspects of the book that help to flesh out the movie though so i think it’s still worthwhile to read. in fact, i was contemplating show more abandoning the book since it was so faithful to the movie but got caught up in the story and characters and stayed with it to the end. show less

Excellent first novel. It was slightly jarring at first because the film is narrated first person and the book is not, and I couldn't hear Dunbar's (Costner's) "voice" when I was reading. But it's a great story, beautifully told, and I didn't want it to end. If you're a fan of the movie, give the book a try.