Potassett: A Face in the Clouds

Charles Young's fascinating, intensely readable novel vividly recreates the relatively recent history of eastern Connecticut's Native Amnericans, how they lived and worked, interacted, squabbled and dreamed of a better future, soon to be realized. In riveting, cleverly evoked flashbacks, the author takes us back more than 275 years to dramatize how Potassett's forebearers survived tribal jealousies, betrayals, bloody warfare and meager resources to sustain hope for future generations. A marvelous reading experience which shows how indomitable spirit and will bring triumph in the end.

Charles Young has a neat way of combining history with fiction. The book describes the life of the protagonist, a native American male, from childhood to manhood in a modern Indian village set down amidst the populous Connecticut shore. Along the way he is surrounded and educated by crusty, eccentric, lovable characters.There is a sweet love affair, and the solution to a mystery about the tribe's heartbreaking past.The action precedes the establishment of the casino of the Mashantucket Pequots.

I found Potassett to be both entertaining and educational. Charles Young has done a masterful job of combining a story of the early history of the Indians of eastern Connecticut with a modern day account of Native Americans of the same tribe in the pre-casino era, and all in an engrossing and delightful novel. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in the history of Native Americans in New England or who just want to read a good novel.

When legend and ancient civilizations converge narrowly on the past, it is up to our authors to recreate the world and let those long dead live again. Instead of paying homage to older notions of indian representation, Charles Young hits the New England coastline with a un-biased trowel and digs in search of his own arrowheads.In his fictional account, Young sets his anti-hero in past and present and allows him to identify with his roots and find his place as a bright, contemporary, though somewhat nerdy, native american.The story spans several eras from pre-colonial to the present day construction of the casinos in Connecticut. With the help of his girlfriend/teacher/mentor, the protagonist, a budding archaeologist, searches for the ancient past, and focuses his attention on one question: what happened at blood creek?Young stretches typical conceptions of native americans, and even isn't afraid to portray Uncas as an unseemly character (in your face Cooper). The book was a good read, filled with authentic local flavor and historical faction.Blending together elements from several eras, Young shows the native american as a man who can scoff at assimilation and flourish in the land that was his by birth-right. The main characters are generally handled with dignity, and compassion; however, some of the lessers act as negative metaphors or somewhat overbearing stereotypes.The story is well written and worth the time. I recommend you take a look.