Black Elk in Paris

Reviewed by Ellen Hogan for Reader Views (8/06) This is the story of Philippe Normand, a doctor in Paris, in the 1800's. Among his patients is the Balise family - Mr. & Mrs. Balise and their three daughters Cecile, Clarisse and Madeline (Madou). When Philippe would call on the Balises he would invariably be invited to supper with them, and actually looked forward to dining with the family whenever he could. Philippe counted among his close friends the Balise's daughter Madou. After the meal they would go for a walk, and just talk about anything. Mr. & Mrs. Balise confided to Philippe that they were concerned about Madou going to visit a Wild West show after dinner each evening. They thought she was getting too involved with a certain Native American named Choice. Philippe accompanied Madou after dinner to meet Choice who did not speak French, but had no problem making known what he wanted to say to Madou. When the show left Paris, Choice did not leave. Madou moved him into the Balise's apartment, and he became ill almost immediately. Philippe could not discern what was causing the problem, and decided to take Choice to the mountains. They wanted to see if the wide open space was what he was pining for. Madou told Philippe that when Choice got better that she was going to accompany him back to America. This news greatly disturbed Philippe. The time in the mountains seemed to help Choice, but after arriving back in Paris he fell ill again. Philippe asked one of his doctor friends to come and see if he could determine what was making Choice ill. Around this time another Wild West show came to town, which happened to be one Choice had once been associated. Madou contacted the show and found a friend of Choice's, learning that his name was indeed Black Elk. Madou gathered enough money to send Black Elk home again; she however, stayed in Paris. The story shows the friendship between a doctor and his patients, and the relationship each memorable character had with each other, and with Black Elk. Mrs. Balise worried about having Black Elk in her home and what the neighbors would say, while for Madou, it was the most natural thing in the world to have him stay there. The friendship and ultimate marriage of Philippe and Madou is almost an afterthought to the story. Friendship, compassion and love abound in this delightful story of two men and one woman.

Black Elk In Paris by Kate Horsley is an engaging and thought-provoking story of a young woman and her developing relationship with a distraught physician. Taking place in the year 1888, Black Elk In Paris follows the lives of Phillipe Normand and the young Madou Balise as their decision to help the poor state of an Oglala Indian named Choice which they encounter at a Wild West show touring Europe. Black Elk In Paris carries readers through the transitions which Phillipe and Madou experience as they seek to help Choice learn of his legendary Native American background. Black Elk In Paris is very highly recommended reading as an engaging and entertaining novel replete with metaphors drawn from Native American cultural beliefs.