3 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
Weighed down by the days’ endless pressure, don’t we often wish to go back to an earlier time? Set in a primitive world where humankind coexisted with fierce saber-toothed tigers and gigantic mammoths, Hunters of the Columbian Mammoth by Adrian Del Valle allows us a sneak peek into the early days of human civilization. When an enemy clan wipes out the Bandu tribe, Lan is left as the sole survivor. Armed with scarce weaponry and indomitable courage, he ventures into the unknown to seek a new life. The story narrates how he gradually establishes his own position, finds love, and changes the lives of innumerable others in the process.
The novel, first and foremost, is very elaborate. Valle depicts every scene with utmost care. In spite of making the book lengthened at places, this guarantees an easy and relaxed reading.
Characterization in the novel demands special mention. Lan encounters a myriad of characters belonging to different tribes during his journey. Although the names are initially difficult to remember, each creates a distinct impression on the reader’s mind. As the protagonists, the characters of Lan and his partner Ayashe, are well-developed. I loved how Lan’s courage and strength were complemented by Ayashe’s bravery and continuous support. The bond gradually forged between them surpasses even those typically found in romance novels.
Valle introduces the unique customs of various tribes, some practicing cannibalism and regular raids on other clans, while many promote a peaceful lifestyle. Their co-existence with natural forces takes up a significant part of the book. Killing an animal or bird is under no circumstances a mindless slaughter, but a necessity to sustain life. Even so, they acknowledge and respect each life claimed. Despite the obvious feuds between enemy clans, the entire picture creates a sense of harmony in the reader’s mind.
Some snippets show the characters drawing pictures, narrating a story, describing a trail, or simply daydreaming. Those instances accurately portray the power of imagination that sets humans different from other animals. I was quite happy Valle remembered to incorporate this aspect as a part of his story.
A unique feature of the novel was the dialogue. The use of odd syntaxes, along with several unfamiliar terms in the tribe language, allows the distinct impression that the incidents took place during a more primitive time. Although initially hard, the readers will like it once they are accustomed. The index at the end of this book outlines all the characters and explains the unknown terms. The reader might take time to consult this section to make the reading experience easier.
However, I noted quite a few areas in the novel that might require improvement. Foremost, the leap between today’s world and the primitive world was too abrupt. Additionally, the narrative often resembles a movie script, not a novel. The way new characters are introduced disrupts the flow of the story. Thirdly, each chapter contains multiple sections under different sub-headings. In my opinion, separate chapters should start from a new page to avoid confusion.
Considering the above-mentioned points, I rate this novel 3 out of 4 stars. There were many typing errors in the book that demand another round of editing. I would recommend this novel to those who like historical fictions or have a keen interest in the workings of early human society. Blood, gore, and violence inevitably form part of the story. However, except for the most squeamish readers, this would not deter anyone else. Additionally, the novel might provide valuable insights on how to create a better life in spite of the continuous hurdles we encounter.
******
Hunters of the Columbian Mammoth
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like Shrabastee's review? Post a comment saying so!