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I think modern readers will be tempted to say the style feels incomplete, but to me the stark elegance of the prose is really refreshing. Austen novels happen after you close the book because they ask a great deal of the imagination and reward you for it. It is no small feat to set up the expectation of subverting the expectations of a "gothic" novel, and yet somehow creating a mystery that keeps you turning the pages.

I loved it. Put in the time. Take a few minutes on hard sentences or paragraphs (english has changed), and it will really reward you.

There is no getting around Longfellow's bias, but the beauty of his poetry and the sympathy of his heart makes this worth reading. It is a lovely retelling of several Native myths, and I look forward to exploring the real thing.

"For those who believe every human heart is human."

I did not enjoy reading this as sociology often rubs me the wrong way, though I do recognize it's value. However, as a parent of two young kids, I am glad I read this. I hope this book will spark change, so that we can give the future a healthier childhood.

For me, reading Baldwin is less about the individual essays than the sentences and honest truths Baldwin reveals about himself and his subjects. Absolutely a "life writer" for me.