http://les-lectures-de-ice-queen.blog...En voyant le titre, j’ai tout de suite craqué ! En ce qui me concerne, dès qu’un livre parle de peuples nordiques, de rennes ou tout ce qui s’y rapporte, j’achète directement ! Et là ce fut le cas, je n’avais même pas lu le résumé d’ailleurs. Et il faut dire que la couverture est vraiment très belle, tout à fait dans l’esprit du roman.Dès les premières pages, nous faisons la connaissance de Tillu, une femme courageuse, excellente guérisseuse, au passé tourmenté et à l’avenir incertain. Son fils Kerleu est différent des autres. Il subit sans cesse moqueries et passages à tabac. Un seul homme va l’accepter : Carp le chaman. Mais celui-ci en plus de convoiter le fils pour en faire son apprenti, convoite la mère. Tillu emmènera Kerleu loin de là pour les protéger tous deux. L’hiver s’abat sur eux, rude et glacial, et ils doivent lutter pour survivre dans des conditions primitives seuls au milieu de la forêt. Jusqu’au jour où un concours de circonstances va amener Tillu à faire la rencontre de deux hommes appartenant au peuple des rennes qui a établi son camp d’hiver non loin de là…Ce que j’ai aimé par-dessus tout dans ce livre, c’est qu’il est peut-être classé en Fantasy, mais il change beaucoup de la Fantasy classique et c’est vraiment appréciable ! Il ne faut pas s’attendre à trouver de l’action en pagaille, ni de la magie ou des créatures fantastiques à toutes les pages. Non, ici vous croiserez plutôt un type de vie qui pourrait très bien être celui de certains peuples qui ont existé et existent encore d’ailleurs.L’univers que j’ai eu le plaisir de découvrir ici m’a totalement conquise. Ce que j’ai réellement apprécié, c’est que j’ai pu apprendre plein de choses intéressantes. Je savais deux ou trois bricoles sur l’élevage des rennes par exemple, mais j’ai pu compléter mes connaissances. Le peuple de rennes et Tillu vivant seule dans la forêt avec son fils mènent des existences difficiles. Ils doivent se contenter de peu, travailler dur et pourtant ils sont heureux comme cela. C’est une très belle leçon de vie.Le peu d’action ne m’a absolument pas dérangée. J’ai vraiment eu l’impression de vivre l’histoire aux côtés des personnages tant les descriptions étaient parfaites et justes. Je n’avais aucun mal à me représenter les lieux et à m’imaginer avec Tillu et les autres. La plume de l’auteur est absolument magique et presque poétique par moments.Les protagonistes sont réellement tous intéressants. Certains sont attachants, d’autres, détestables, intrigants ou effrayants, même. J’ai vraiment apprécié Tillu et en tant que mère d’un petit garçon, j’ai sincèrement été touchée par la force et le courage dont elle fait preuve afin de protéger son enfant envers et contre tous. J’ai également adoré les passages sur la magie chamanique et les esprits guides. Un certain moment avec le loup tout particulièrement était vraiment saisissant et mystérieux !L’intrigue est assez simple au départ, mais des nœuds épais s’y glissent au fil des pages et on se demande bien comment tout cela va se dénouer au final ! J’étais tellement prise dans l’histoire que j’ai directement enchainé avec la lecture du tome 2.En résumé, si ce roman n’offre pas beaucoup d’action cela ne m’a absolument pas dérangée. J’ai tout de suite été immergée dans cet univers criant de réalisme et merveilleusement décrit. J’ai adoré mon voyage aux côtés du peuple des rennes, apprécié les différents personnages et les éléments perturbateurs qui viennent s’ajouter petit à petit au fil du récit pour en épaissir l’intrigue. Je n’ai pas pu m’empêcher de me jeter directement sur le tome 2 dès la fin de ma lecture de ce premier tome !
Whether she is penning epic fantasies under the name of Robin Hobb or telling contemporary fantasies set in the harsh wilderness of prehistoric North America under the pseudonym of Megan Lindholm, Margaret Astrid Lindholm Ogden is undoubtedly one of the best novelists that I have had the pleasure of reading. Not once have I felt let down by one of her novels (11 and counting now) as each is populated by such well sketched characters that you can’t but help being drawn into their everyday trial and tribulations. And to think I still have the second instalment of the Reindeer People still to come as well as the Rainwild Chronicles AND a new Fitz-Fool novel in the not so distant future. To quote that fat silly cat from the Ren and Stimpy show, “Happy, happy, joy, joy!!”If my memory serves me correctly I have had this book on my shelf for close on five years, having picked it up from one of those clearance book stores for a very cheap price. I also have to admit that if not for the cardboard wraparound stating that Megan Lindholm is ‘otherwise known as Robin Hobb’ I no doubt would have overlooked it. It really also does possess a rather nice cover, the Wolf looking out from the Moon and casting its eyes over Reindeer shaped clouds. Obviously having read the Farseer Trilogy this conjures up the character of Nighteyes for me which then also makes me wonder if the Wolf in this book is a forerunner for our favourite witted beasty. :)Set in what feels like prehistoric times (the blurb does mention North America) the story revolves around a tribe of nomadic hunters, herd folk known as the Reindeer People, and their struggles with day to day life, be it the harsh lessons Mother Nature provides, wild animals such as wolves or bears or even other tribes. Our main protagonists are Tillu, a wise and proficient healer and mother to her young son, Kerlew, who is a mentally disabled boy unfortunately shunned for being different to other children of the same age. It is because of this perceived difference that he comes to the attention of a local Shaman by the name of Carp, who decides to mentor him in the ways and rituals of shamanistic ‘magic’. Tillu sees Carp’s attention as unwholesome so decides to take Kerlew and flee into the wild which eventually leads up to her meeting members of the aforementioned Reindeer folk.I really felt for Tillu throughout this book and can’t really imagine what it would be like to have a special needs child. Not only does she have to be strong for the sake of Kerlew, but she also has to be mentally tough to deal with the taunts and ostracism from other members of the tribe due to Kerlew’s ‘strangeness’. I think having to hear other people talk down about your child would not only be depressing but a drain on the soul as well.Although not as epic as some of her more well known trilogies, the first book in the Reindeer People saga is interesting nonetheless and contains all the hallmarks of a Hobb creation – well drawn characters that emotionally draw the reader in. I’m looking forward to my copy of Wolf’s Brother hopefully arriving in the mail this week.4 stars.
What do You think about The Reindeer People (2001)?
It seems I have a soft spot for novels set in the harsh wilderness of North American winters. This is the first Megan Lindholm/Robin Hobb book that I've ever read, after having heard excellent things about her fantasy books and although I'm sure this is not one of the books people have in mind when they talk about her, it doesn't disappoint. It's unsurprisingly reminiscent of Jean Auel's novels; enchanting, with a world of two different species of humans mixing, the characters vivid and each with their own struggle, all with a hint of magic thrown into the mix. It's a little slow to start off with, but the beginning lays the groundwork for the rest of the novel, coming around to tie it off at the end. Perhaps what is most interesting in this novel is the characterisation; it's essentially a story about a mother and her son, and what she will do to keep him safe, but thrown into the mix are characters who make it their prerogative to keep the strange boy in check, characters who find themselves falling for each other, despite what they know is right, and characters who keep secrets of dark deeds. It makes you want to find out whether they fall in love, get caught, are punished, escape bad people; essentially, this novel is one that, although it is steeped in the world of hunting and gathering, and walking the line between reality and the spirit world, it is a novel about people. Its humanity is what pins you down and keeps you reading. I definitely plan on obtaining the second book of this series. And after that, tackling some of this author's more well known works.
—Mersini
Megan Lindholm also writes as Robin Hobb, who is one of my favorite authors, so I decided to check this out. As Robin Hobb she's more sci-fi/fantasy. As Lindholm she's more classic fiction; although there is some fantastical element, its very subtle. The story chronicles a stone age inuit mother and her autistic son, who are forced to travel from tribe to tribe as the son's odd behaviors make him a cast off. Its not really my cup of tea as a plot, but the book was well written, and really gives a nice feel of the life and culture of a very different society from the modern. It wouldn't be my top recommendation from Lindholm, but it's not something one should avoid either.
—Doc Opp
I didn't know this was a reissue from the backlist of titles by Megan Lindholm's books. Megan Lindholm also writes as Robin Hobbs (or should that be Robin Hobbs also writes as Megan Lindolm?) This was, as you'd expect, good, solid writing with believable and endearing central characters. I feel Hobbs/Lindholm always uses what she knows in fantasy and the character of Elsa's son is particularly well-drawn. I love the domestic details of fantasy like this and there's solid research behind this book. I wasn't fortunate to get the entire story in one book, so I'm looking forward to the sequel.A good read on a winter's day.
—Catherine Bateson
