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The Blue Tattoo: The Life Of Olive Oatman (2009)

by Margot Mifflin(Favorite Author)

3.55 of 5 Votes: 4

ISBN

0803211481 (ISBN13: 9780803211483)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

University of Nebraska Press

review 1: This book traces the life of Olive Oatman whose family was attacked on their way west. Only Olive and her sister were spared and they were soon after traded to the Mojave tribe where she appears to have found happiness. During her five years with this tribe, the white man crept ever closer. Although Olive was close enough to the proximity of white people she never tried to escape and when ransomed, she didn't want to leave.Her brother woke some hours after the attack and found his way to Fort Yuma. It was he who kept looking for his lost sisters. By the time he heard a white woman lived among the Mojaves, his younger sister had died. Olive, herself had tribal markings on her chin. Tattooos were common among the Mojave.After being brought back to the whites, a Mr. Statton o... moreffers to ghost write her story. The book took the world by storm and sold out within 2 weeks. Olive herself began a speaking tour on her experience but as she got older she grew tired of it and married. The thing That stood out for me is that my mother's maiden name was Fairchild. Olive married a John Fairchild.Some parts of this book were boring. Others quite absorbing. The author believes Olive never had children. Whether she did or not, there is no way to prove it as the Indians of California were virtually wiped out
review 2: A fascinating look at the life of a former Indian captive. It made me sad for the girl/woman who suffered the loss of two families. Her genetic one, and her Mohave one. And of course the heartbreaking story of all the Indian tribes of the area and time period. Very well researched. It is also a great example of how men re - wrote the stories for their own purposes, and "saved" people whether they wanted to be or not. This book will stay with me for a long time. less

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