The Buffalo Soldier

An Enduring and Memorable Story

The characters are so well portrayed and explored, it's as if they become your 'neighbors.' This is an uplifting and affirming story about bonds which are lost, broken, found, strengthened and cherished. There's a vivid portrayal of the community, and how the environment affects them. I found the boy's bond with the horse an especially heartwarming and momentous aspect of the story. I'm a fan of Bohjalian, and have read all but one of his books....for a long time, I didn't read 'Buffalo' because it involved loss of young children, and I was afraid I would just fall apart over that aspect. While it is a very sad story, it does not remain or linger there. This author achieves such conscious, understanding accounts of relationships--especially authentic between the foster mother and the boy. I wish I could give an 'exceeds 5 stars' rating.

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I love reading

Cant wait to read this book i love reading

Compelling read

This is a very compelling book with each of the characters fully developing without the sterotypical ending or resolutions. Chris Bohjalian has a way of capturing the reader's attention and never letting go. This is the second book of his I've read (Midwives was the first). I'm hooked.

Great Read!

I was completely absorbed with the characters in this very touching and complicated story about placing Alfred, a foster child, with an emotionally broken family he came to live with in Vermont. Having read this book while on a recent trip to Ireland, I can recommend this is an excellent read for anyone. Chris Bohjalian's stories are quite interesting as a whole, although the most recent book "Secrets of Eden" I found was not for me. By far, The Buffalo Soldier is the most interesting read by Mr. Bohjalian. I have read The Double Bind, Skeletons at the Feast, and Midwives, all of which are worth reading.

EXCELLENT!

I particularly enjoyed this novel. I am a definite fan of Chris Bohjalain, and book by book I love his work even more. The Buffalo Soldier is a beautiful story of grief and pain, and how people heal against all odds. It is impossible not to love Alfred (the foster child) and it is especially interesting how the author ties some history of the buffalo soldiers into the beginning of each chapter. As many Bohjalain reviewers touch upon his fantastic ability to address social issues in his writing, he certainly nails the foster care system in VT. with this book. This is a truly beautiful and poignant story...it is a must read.

wonderful story...

The Buffalo Soldier is a complex tale of morals and emotions. I loved it. I loved how the book was written with the chapters alternating between the main characters so the reader gets to see the whole picture. I was able to sympathize with each character and understand why they did the things they did. Bohjalian did a wonderful job creating his characters; Terry, the stereotypical macho highway patrolman. His fragile wife Laura, who is still grieving the loss of her children. Alfred, the somewhat troubled foster child who is seemingly the only black person in miles. And probably my favorite character, Paul, the retired professor who is the first to bond with Alfred. The Buffalo Soldier is a journey of frail and fractured lives trying to grasp the roots to form a family. I couldn't put the book down.

Consummate Bohjalian

Chris Bohjalian has again here crafted a story with characters that remind the reader of him- or herself...decent and well-intended but flawed and pulled apart by life's unexpected twists and turns, and dismayed by our own reactions to them. A good read. I also always seem to learn something new when I read Mr. Bohjalian's books, whether it be midwifery, alternative medicine or the world of the Buffalo Soldier.

Hard to put down

I wasn't too crazy about Midwives, but our book club decided to read The Buffalo Soldier so I gave the author another chance. I like this book much better. The characters were real and interesting, the areas of Vermont were well described and familiar to me. I enjoyed learning about the Buffalo Soldiers and will continue to learn about them, and add them to my other historical persuits. The ending was way to dramatic and way over the top. It was exciting but not believable. I could think of several better endings that would have made it a much better book. I still would recommend it and enjoyed the character development.

Best Yet

I think this is Bohjalian's best book yet. I really enjoyed Midwives, Law of Similars and Transister Radio, but I think he has really hit his stride with this one.

Excellent Book!!!!

I absolutely loved this book...I am an avid reader and this book is one of the best I have read so far...The author does an excellent job of describing the characters...I felt like they were living next door to me. I highly recommend this book!

I love everything I read by Chris Bohjalian

Chris Bohjalian is a wonderful writer, and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I read the last 150 pages in one night because I could no longer delay knowing the outcome. In The Buffalo Soldier as well as in Midwives and The Law of Similars, Bohjalian writes about the transgressions of otherwise ordinary and good hearted people. In addition to a great storyline, Bohjalian gave me insight into the unexplored world of midwifery, homeopathic science, and a side of American history not referred to in text books. His books are educating as well as entertaining.

A GOOD READ

I enjoyed this book very much. The storyline is plausible and the characters are well-developed. The author is able to write believably from the standpoint of all the main characters. I will recommend this one!!

One of the Best

This was an absolutely wonderful book that I couldn't put down about a couple who has suffered tremendous loss and brings in a foster child, who changes the lives of his foster family and the town. It would be a great book club selection also.

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