Product Description

"The Deerslayer" is the first of James Fenimore Cooper's "Leatherstocking Tales", and it introduces Natty Bumppo, the Deerslayer of the title, and the Mohican Chief Chingachgook. The action takes place in upstate New York during the French and Indian wars of the 1740s. The young frontiersman Natty Bumppo and his friend Hurry Harry go to the rescue of the trapper Thomas Hutter and his daughters, whose floating fort on Lake Glimmerglass is under attack by the Iriquois.The plot twists and turns, and the exciting action and the romantic interest of this historical adventure have made it a firm favourite with generations of readers. Cooper's evocation of the simple values of frontier life, combined with his mastery of the straightforward adventure story established him in the forefront of American writers. The other "Leatherstocking Tales" in chronological order, though not in order of composition, are "The Last of the Mohicans" (also published as a Wordsworth Classic), "The Pathfinder", "The Pioneers" and "The Prairie".

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #62559 in Books
• Published on: 1995-06-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 432 pages

Customer Reviews

Holds Your Interest!
"The Deerslayer" is the sequentially first in the Leatherstocking series of America's first, great, professional novelist, James Fenimore Cooper. I read it in preparation for a trip to Cooperstown, New York and I am glad that I did. Set in upstate New York in the 1740s, it provides the reader with an idolized introduction to the society of white and red of this colonial frontier.

The criticisms that the dialogue and actions are totally unbelievable, while justified, do not detract from the story. While the simple, faith-filled actions of the "Feeble Minded Hetty" and the dialogue between Deerslayer and Chingachgook seem highly improbable, the do hold the readers' interest. While I am generally not one to pick up readily on character development, this novel is an exception. The contrast between Deerslayer and Chingachgook, the romance between Chingachgook and Wah-ta-Wah
, the romantic web among Judith, Hurry Harry and Deerslayer, and the varying responses to changes in circumstance coming from sisters Judith and Hetty all contribute to the persistent popularity of this work.

Despite all the criticisms directed against Cooper as to form, the one thing that cannot be denied is that this book is very difficult to put down. I found myself always wondering what would come next and what would happen to the characters whom I had come to know. Whether you are looking for an insight into early American literature or just a good story, your search should lead to "The Deerslayer". "

Document of times past
Cooper's novel about the entrance into manhood of his hero Natty Bumppo (aka 'Leatherstocking' or 'Hawkeye') is no easy reading: the language is fairly obsolete, many of the morals and values Natty believes in and stands for are out-dated, and the action is at times incredible. But then again, there's no denying that this is also a well-written adventure story (one of the first), and has become part of the American heritage.

If you're looking for an entertaining book to read on some beach or other I'd suggest you look elsewhere, but if you have time on your hands and are interested in the origins of adventure literature this is a must read.

A classic American saga begins
Chronologically the first of the Leatherstocking Tales about trapper Nathaniel Bumpo, this sets the feel for the rest of the series even though it wasn't the first one written. The Deerslayer of the title is Nathaniel who earns his name of "Hawkeye", for which he is more famous, in this book from the first enemy he ever kills. If the saga is read chronologically, "The Deerslayer" is a good introduction to the character of Natty Bumpo (although I read "The Last Of the Mohicans" first).

It is a story based around the themes of honesty, morality, understanding your own individuality and staying true to your values, told at the steady pace that James Fenimore Cooper uses in his other books. There are several plot parallels that can be drawn with some of his other works, especially "The Last Of The Mohicans", but to describe them would give too much of the plot away.

Although the book has its tense and exciting moments, the dreamy and picturesque style of the narrative can make it drag, and quite frankly I thought the story could have been told using maybe three-quarters of the paper. But that said the narrative does allow a lot of insight into the characters' mind-frames, which allows a greater empathy with them.

A good story but not really a page-turner.