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1666
A Fictional Recounting of the Survival Story of Patawomeck Tribe of Virginia
The story has been remembered within the Patawomeck tribe for generations, but is largely unknown outside of the tribe until now. Author Lora Chilton, a tribal member through the lineage of her father, has created this powerful fictional retelling.
The story follows three Indigenous Patawomeck women who lived through the decimation of their tribe by land hungry colonists in the summer of 1666, the massacre of their men, the harrowing march south where they and their children were sold and transported to Barbados via slave ship, and, eventually, their brave escape back to Virginia. It is because of these women that the tribe is in existence to this day.
This work of historical fiction is based on oral tradition, interviews with tribal elders, written colonial records and extensive research by the author, including study of the language. The book uses Indigenous names for the characters and some Patawomeck words to honor the culture and heritage that was erased when European colonization of the Americans began in the 16th century.
The story has been remembered within the Patawomeck tribe for generations, but is largely unknown outside of the tribe until now. Author Lora Chilton, a tribal member through the lineage of her father, has created this powerful fictional retelling.
The story follows three Indigenous Patawomeck women who lived through the decimation of their tribe by land hungry colonists in the summer of 1666, the massacre of their men, the harrowing march south where they and their children were sold and transported to Barbados via slave ship, and, eventually, their brave escape back to Virginia. It is because of these women that the tribe is in existence to this day.
This work of historical fiction is based on oral tradition, interviews with tribal elders, written colonial records and extensive research by the author, including study of the language. The book uses Indigenous names for the characters and some Patawomeck words to honor the culture and heritage that was erased when European colonization of the Americans began in the 16th century.
201 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 2, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
May 20, 2024
So much violence. It’s difficult to read, but it’s imperative that this history be told . The inhumanity towards other human beings, the history of Native Americans. A history we know some about from knowing of Wounded Knee and Trail of Tears, but I had never heard of the Patawomeck tribe of Virginia , whose very existence the British attempted to obliterate in 1666. I can’t help but wonder how many more of these stories have not been told. This is an imagined account, but is based on documents and oral history of what might have occurred. This story of a few brave, bold and tenacious women is not for the faint of heart . When all the men were killed , the women and children were taken to Barbados as slaves, worked to death, raped and beaten. I was horrified at the abuse and squalor the women and children endured on the ship and the treatment they endured when they arrived.
Chapters alternate with what happened when the “Strangers” killed all the men of the tribe , kidnapped babies, and took the women and children as slaves with chapters of the peaceful, full life the tribe led before with their means of survival - hunting , fishing , planting , their rituals, the connection of family , reverence for the elders , caring of their children. There are alternating chapters of three women representing those whose strength and resilience were ultimately instrumental in the recognition over three and a half centuries later in 2010 of the Patawomeck as a Tribe of Virginia. These are characters to remember. Historical fiction like this teaches, touches and when it does its job jolts you into a better understanding . Heartbreaking, horrific and ultimately resilient . Lora Chilton gives a a stunning portrayal of the history of the tribe of which she is a member.
I received a copy of this from Sibylline Press through Edelweiss
Chapters alternate with what happened when the “Strangers” killed all the men of the tribe , kidnapped babies, and took the women and children as slaves with chapters of the peaceful, full life the tribe led before with their means of survival - hunting , fishing , planting , their rituals, the connection of family , reverence for the elders , caring of their children. There are alternating chapters of three women representing those whose strength and resilience were ultimately instrumental in the recognition over three and a half centuries later in 2010 of the Patawomeck as a Tribe of Virginia. These are characters to remember. Historical fiction like this teaches, touches and when it does its job jolts you into a better understanding . Heartbreaking, horrific and ultimately resilient . Lora Chilton gives a a stunning portrayal of the history of the tribe of which she is a member.
I received a copy of this from Sibylline Press through Edelweiss
October 2, 2024
The Potomac River is named after the Patawomeck native American tribe, and many early European colonists made frequent reference to the tribe in their written records prior to 1669. But after that date there is no further mention made of them in colonial records (other than the river that carries their name). How did they disappear?
The written history of Virginia details the decision by the 1666 Governor's Council to declare war on the Patawomeck, calling for "their utter destruction if possible and that their women and children and their goods... shall be taken to be disposed of." Indeed this order was apparently carried out in a thorough manner since for 300 years following this event there was no official record of the tribe's continued existence. However, among a number of people in northern Virginia there carried on an oral tradition of their descent from Patawomeck ancestry. Finally, in 2010 they became a state recognized tribe by Virginia (not Federally recognized).
Part of this oral tradition is that all members of the tribe today are descended from three women survivors of the 1666 massacre who managed to return to northern Virginia after being taken captive and sold into slavery to Barbados. This book is a fictional imagining of the lives of these women and it describes a story of determination and resilience and how they connived ways to escape slavery on a Caribbean island and return to their homeland in Virginia.
As portrayed in this novel there are two women, both with young daughters, who managed to return to Virginia by two different routes. One of the daughters died of smallpox so by the end of the story there are three women living with a neighboring Portobacco tribe that had avoided being wiped out. The following excerpt from the end of the book's narrative is in the voice of the daughter of one of the survivors reflecting on the prospect of their babies being ancestors to those who will carry on their tribe's traditions.
The written history of Virginia details the decision by the 1666 Governor's Council to declare war on the Patawomeck, calling for "their utter destruction if possible and that their women and children and their goods... shall be taken to be disposed of." Indeed this order was apparently carried out in a thorough manner since for 300 years following this event there was no official record of the tribe's continued existence. However, among a number of people in northern Virginia there carried on an oral tradition of their descent from Patawomeck ancestry. Finally, in 2010 they became a state recognized tribe by Virginia (not Federally recognized).
Part of this oral tradition is that all members of the tribe today are descended from three women survivors of the 1666 massacre who managed to return to northern Virginia after being taken captive and sold into slavery to Barbados. This book is a fictional imagining of the lives of these women and it describes a story of determination and resilience and how they connived ways to escape slavery on a Caribbean island and return to their homeland in Virginia.
As portrayed in this novel there are two women, both with young daughters, who managed to return to Virginia by two different routes. One of the daughters died of smallpox so by the end of the story there are three women living with a neighboring Portobacco tribe that had avoided being wiped out. The following excerpt from the end of the book's narrative is in the voice of the daughter of one of the survivors reflecting on the prospect of their babies being ancestors to those who will carry on their tribe's traditions.
I look across the fire at these women and realize our tribe has survived because of their resilience. Their determination had kept me alive as well. Now here we are, the three of us, sitting among our people, each of us holding our babies. God willing, with the blessing of O'Ki'Us, Jesus and Yahweh providing, these children will grow up and thrive because of the strength of their ancestors and their will to live.According to the events as described in this novel all the men in the raided village were killed on the night of the massacre. However, there were some male survivors because they had been working for White settlers at the time and were not in the village that night. The Patawomeck survivors (along with the Nanzatico who also suffered great loss of life and property in the summer of 1666) lived among the Portobacco after the massacre.
November 14, 2023
Wow. Just Wow. I loved this book. I devoured it in just a few days and was so interested in the story and the history behind it.
1666 tells the story of primarily 2 Patawomeck women from present day Virginia who experienced a massacre that killed all of the men and several other women, infants and children from the tribe and left the survivors to be sold into slavery. Written by a descendant of this Indigenous group, the author Lora Chilton brings together a very thorough amount of research as well as the cultural and linguistic understanding that is needed to properly set this incredible book in both time and place in history. From the treacherous treatment of the slaves during the transport and sale from their land to Barbados, to the horrendous conditions on sugar cane plantations to a hope for a seemingly impossible return to their land one day, this book takes readers on a tumultuous journey filled with immense pain and suffering and incredible strength and resilience. From being members of an equal community to being treated worse than their owners' horses and having zero say in their lives and the lives of their loved ones, there are some pretty stark contrasts throughout this book and the author does a fantastic job juxtaposing these images and plotlines. Additionally, the cultural, linguistic and historic details such as the companion crop planting method used by Indigenous groups in North America, or the make up of the names of the characters and descriptions of the land, this book has an incredible amount of detail that I doubt readers would find in another historical fiction set in this time period. The Anthropology major in me definitely was enthralled by this one, but I think most histfic lovers would be interested in this unique story. I am really looking forward to it's pubdate in April 2024 to find out what others think of this book! Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy!
1666 tells the story of primarily 2 Patawomeck women from present day Virginia who experienced a massacre that killed all of the men and several other women, infants and children from the tribe and left the survivors to be sold into slavery. Written by a descendant of this Indigenous group, the author Lora Chilton brings together a very thorough amount of research as well as the cultural and linguistic understanding that is needed to properly set this incredible book in both time and place in history. From the treacherous treatment of the slaves during the transport and sale from their land to Barbados, to the horrendous conditions on sugar cane plantations to a hope for a seemingly impossible return to their land one day, this book takes readers on a tumultuous journey filled with immense pain and suffering and incredible strength and resilience. From being members of an equal community to being treated worse than their owners' horses and having zero say in their lives and the lives of their loved ones, there are some pretty stark contrasts throughout this book and the author does a fantastic job juxtaposing these images and plotlines. Additionally, the cultural, linguistic and historic details such as the companion crop planting method used by Indigenous groups in North America, or the make up of the names of the characters and descriptions of the land, this book has an incredible amount of detail that I doubt readers would find in another historical fiction set in this time period. The Anthropology major in me definitely was enthralled by this one, but I think most histfic lovers would be interested in this unique story. I am really looking forward to it's pubdate in April 2024 to find out what others think of this book! Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy!
November 15, 2023
Beautifully written, 1666 tells a story that needs to be told.
Through the eyes of three fearless young women, we learn about the Indigenous people in our country- not just how they were treated brutally but who they really were. They were a people bound together by love and loyalty and a deep connection to nature and the land. They understood the land, in truth, belonged to no one, rather to everyone and was to be taken care of and nurtured just as they did each other. Lora Chilton tells the heartbreaking story of the massacre of the men of the Patawomeck tribe in what is now Virginia and the horrors that came afterward. It describes the harrowing journey of the Patawomeck women to Barbados’s where they were sold as slaves. In the telling of the this story, the ugly and dehumanizing nature of slavery in Barbados’s, home to African, English and Quaker slave owners, is revealed along with a piece of the long history of the Jewish people ‘s search for a home free of persecution. All of this is cleverly woven into the relentless resolve of two of the adult women to escape with their daughters and get back to their home. Most of all, this is a story of the survival of our best selves over our worst. A story of seeking wholeness by coming home. A read that will make you cry and fill your hearts at once.
Through the eyes of three fearless young women, we learn about the Indigenous people in our country- not just how they were treated brutally but who they really were. They were a people bound together by love and loyalty and a deep connection to nature and the land. They understood the land, in truth, belonged to no one, rather to everyone and was to be taken care of and nurtured just as they did each other. Lora Chilton tells the heartbreaking story of the massacre of the men of the Patawomeck tribe in what is now Virginia and the horrors that came afterward. It describes the harrowing journey of the Patawomeck women to Barbados’s where they were sold as slaves. In the telling of the this story, the ugly and dehumanizing nature of slavery in Barbados’s, home to African, English and Quaker slave owners, is revealed along with a piece of the long history of the Jewish people ‘s search for a home free of persecution. All of this is cleverly woven into the relentless resolve of two of the adult women to escape with their daughters and get back to their home. Most of all, this is a story of the survival of our best selves over our worst. A story of seeking wholeness by coming home. A read that will make you cry and fill your hearts at once.
November 5, 2024
Heartbreaking.💔 Well-researched, 1666 is based on the real story of the Patawomeck tribe whom author Lora Chilton is a descendant. This is not for the faint at heart as it tells of unimaginable cruelty towards, and the survival of, the Indigenous people of the Patawomeck tribe of Virginia. This retelling is narrated by two native women of that village, up to and after, their tribe is decimated by early settlers in 1666. Chilling yes, but a story that needed to told about their sacrifice, love of family, and resilience through slavery, assault, and murder. A third female narrative is added later in the story. This is a must read for anyone seeking to learn more about indigenous life during colonization in the Americas. I’m calling it early.. 1666, my top historical fiction read of ‘24. 5 stars — Pub. 5/2/24
December 4, 2024
This is the story of the survival of the PaTow’O’Mek tribe of Virginia.
“They call us savages, but the English are the real barbarians…I do not want to hear about a God that allows men to beat, maim, and abuse other people…In the eyes of the law, I am a thing, a commodity to be bought or sold…We are powerless.”
Rape. Beatings. Kidnappings. Thieves. Bondage. Massacres. Slavery. This is a history of a tribe at the mercy of the English “Christians” who arrive on a land of the Indigenous Patawomeck tribe in what is now Virginia’s Potomac River, and they are forcefully occupied in a place that is rightfully their own. The recounting of the English’s horrendous actions are meticulously captured in Chilton’s wonderful, albeit hard-to-read, novel of the people who fought and endured the impossible. She also portrays the stunning beauty of the Indigenous culture, and when juxtaposed against the barbarians, you can easily see that the English are downright disgusting and immoral, using their religion as justification for their brutality.
To this day, I am still horrified that humans can be so cruel and bloodthirsty to each other, especially when they feel they have a right to what is not theirs. What is sad is that this did not just happen in America (and Barbados), but also around the world. We are not alone in these crimes against humanity, but we certainly cannot shed our guilty part in perpetuating this absolute evil as well.
“Many on this island [Barbados] have come of their own accord, seeking freedom. The irony is not lost on me that they came for freedom but have, in turn, enslaved other human beings.”
Yet in the midst of this evil, Chilton’s shows us the triumph and resiliency of a people who refuse to relinquish their identity and who intentionally treasure their traditions and beliefs in a most honorable and enduring way. They escape. They survive. They flourish.
We also see that not all the “barbarians” are evil. We see gentle Jewish landowners extend love and freedom. We see Quakers who demonstrate decency and empathy. We see that despite race or color or heritage or culture, there is hope and survival and the determination of the human spirit to retain its humaneness in a world that certainly doesn’t deserve it.
I am thankful for Chilton’s recounting of their nearly-forgotten story, and I am grateful that she keeps the beauty of the Patawomeck tribe alive in an entirely impactful way. This is a true story that will haunt my conscience forever.
“They call us savages, but the English are the real barbarians…I do not want to hear about a God that allows men to beat, maim, and abuse other people…In the eyes of the law, I am a thing, a commodity to be bought or sold…We are powerless.”
Rape. Beatings. Kidnappings. Thieves. Bondage. Massacres. Slavery. This is a history of a tribe at the mercy of the English “Christians” who arrive on a land of the Indigenous Patawomeck tribe in what is now Virginia’s Potomac River, and they are forcefully occupied in a place that is rightfully their own. The recounting of the English’s horrendous actions are meticulously captured in Chilton’s wonderful, albeit hard-to-read, novel of the people who fought and endured the impossible. She also portrays the stunning beauty of the Indigenous culture, and when juxtaposed against the barbarians, you can easily see that the English are downright disgusting and immoral, using their religion as justification for their brutality.
To this day, I am still horrified that humans can be so cruel and bloodthirsty to each other, especially when they feel they have a right to what is not theirs. What is sad is that this did not just happen in America (and Barbados), but also around the world. We are not alone in these crimes against humanity, but we certainly cannot shed our guilty part in perpetuating this absolute evil as well.
“Many on this island [Barbados] have come of their own accord, seeking freedom. The irony is not lost on me that they came for freedom but have, in turn, enslaved other human beings.”
Yet in the midst of this evil, Chilton’s shows us the triumph and resiliency of a people who refuse to relinquish their identity and who intentionally treasure their traditions and beliefs in a most honorable and enduring way. They escape. They survive. They flourish.
We also see that not all the “barbarians” are evil. We see gentle Jewish landowners extend love and freedom. We see Quakers who demonstrate decency and empathy. We see that despite race or color or heritage or culture, there is hope and survival and the determination of the human spirit to retain its humaneness in a world that certainly doesn’t deserve it.
I am thankful for Chilton’s recounting of their nearly-forgotten story, and I am grateful that she keeps the beauty of the Patawomeck tribe alive in an entirely impactful way. This is a true story that will haunt my conscience forever.
April 20, 2024
A part of American History that I've not heard about; this was nicely done.
March 1, 2024
The story behind this novel is fascinating and it's certainly something that needs to be told, however, the execution of THIS telling requires considerable refinement. The prose is dry and reads like a list of facts put forth in first person narrative, as if there was simply an outline of information regarding Patawomeck society and traditions that Chilton felt needed to be included. While I applaud thorough research, a fictionalized account shouldn't read like a sixth grade social study report. The inclusion of Patawomeck language is something I would expect, as in any novel involving people who speak a language other than what the work is written in, but the constant repetition of the Indigenous language followed by the English translation was clunky. For instance after every name "NePa'WeXo, Shining Moon" or "TseNaCoMoCo, Virginia." After the first introduction of non-English word with translation just pick a language! I felt more like I was reading a poorly written text book than what should have been a harrowing and finally uplifting story of three women's triumph over their enslaved.
December 5, 2024
What a compelling, well researched and wonderfully written historical fiction novel! While I usually dislike retelling a book (that’s what the book jacket/back summary is for) this review needs a bit
I purposely read this one, of which I received a free copy thanks to Good Reads (thank you) as we approached Thanksgiving. Every year at this time there’s always someone that reminds us Americans that we are living on stolen land. In 2024, most roll their eyes and say “but that was hundreds of years ago.” This story will refresh the memory. When the English “Strangers” came to Virginia in the 1660s, they were aided my many native tribes, trading, and even receiving medical aid from Natives when they fell ill to things they were not familiar with. However, in 1666, there was a massacre of all the men in the Patowomeck tribe (then living along the Potomac River) and all the women and children were forced onto a a cargo ship, where, under horrid living conditions, they were brought to Barbados and sold as slaves.
This story follows 2 of those women and their daughters, their stories of strength under inhumane living conditions, and the incredible story of how they separately made their way back to Virgina, making the Patowomeck tribe what it is today.
An incredible story, written by a surviving member of the tribe, who knew the story by word of mouth from her ancestors, and then researched and interviewed to bring it to a fascinating read. I highly recommend!
I purposely read this one, of which I received a free copy thanks to Good Reads (thank you) as we approached Thanksgiving. Every year at this time there’s always someone that reminds us Americans that we are living on stolen land. In 2024, most roll their eyes and say “but that was hundreds of years ago.” This story will refresh the memory. When the English “Strangers” came to Virginia in the 1660s, they were aided my many native tribes, trading, and even receiving medical aid from Natives when they fell ill to things they were not familiar with. However, in 1666, there was a massacre of all the men in the Patowomeck tribe (then living along the Potomac River) and all the women and children were forced onto a a cargo ship, where, under horrid living conditions, they were brought to Barbados and sold as slaves.
This story follows 2 of those women and their daughters, their stories of strength under inhumane living conditions, and the incredible story of how they separately made their way back to Virgina, making the Patowomeck tribe what it is today.
An incredible story, written by a surviving member of the tribe, who knew the story by word of mouth from her ancestors, and then researched and interviewed to bring it to a fascinating read. I highly recommend!
November 23, 2023
Firstly, thank you to NetGalley and Sibylline Press for gifting me this arc.
Secondly, the review. 1666 is a brutally honest depiction of the genocide and subsequent enslavement of the Native American tribes in America, specifically the Patawomeck tribe from the now named Virginia, USA. I appreciated the brutal honesty of the emotions and turmoil that the surviving women from the otherwise annihilated tribe went through. Why sugar coat the brutality, especially when colonisation is still rampant is modern society? It wasn’t just murder that they endured, but the kidnapping of their children to be adopted by white settler families as well and never to see them again. Despite that, the author manages to tell a story about resilience and hope in a time that other wise, is bleak and filled with uncertainty.
The book follows two mothers from the tribe who end up being enslaved in separate plantations. Their children still luckily with them due to their ages. The author does well in showing the varying relationships that slave owners had with their slaves, and albeit sometimes were kinder to them, the power dynamic was still treacherous. I enjoyed that the women did not give up, even with the possibility of death around every waking corner, they found a way to escape although separately. Their stories continue to show different lives for Native American women in a white settler world, and although at times it made my heart ache with sadness, I also found myself smiling at times of pure joy as well.
This is a very special book and I’m sure it’ll be a hit once officially published. I can’t wait to see what the author writes in the future!
Secondly, the review. 1666 is a brutally honest depiction of the genocide and subsequent enslavement of the Native American tribes in America, specifically the Patawomeck tribe from the now named Virginia, USA. I appreciated the brutal honesty of the emotions and turmoil that the surviving women from the otherwise annihilated tribe went through. Why sugar coat the brutality, especially when colonisation is still rampant is modern society? It wasn’t just murder that they endured, but the kidnapping of their children to be adopted by white settler families as well and never to see them again. Despite that, the author manages to tell a story about resilience and hope in a time that other wise, is bleak and filled with uncertainty.
The book follows two mothers from the tribe who end up being enslaved in separate plantations. Their children still luckily with them due to their ages. The author does well in showing the varying relationships that slave owners had with their slaves, and albeit sometimes were kinder to them, the power dynamic was still treacherous. I enjoyed that the women did not give up, even with the possibility of death around every waking corner, they found a way to escape although separately. Their stories continue to show different lives for Native American women in a white settler world, and although at times it made my heart ache with sadness, I also found myself smiling at times of pure joy as well.
This is a very special book and I’m sure it’ll be a hit once officially published. I can’t wait to see what the author writes in the future!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2024
*Thanks you Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book for review, all opinions are my own*
3.5 stars
Trigger warning: sexual and physical abuse, torture, deaths of love ones and children, slavery.
For me, this is one of those books that are essential to read, you need to read this story.
I admit that the writing is not the best, it is quite repetitive and sometimes a bit disjointed but it does not take away one bit of the importance of this story, it is a heavy book to read, even more so when we know that this story is an allusion to reality and that there were many women who have been through similar if not the same things.
I think the writing shouldn't make you not read this story because it's a quick story and it's very important to read!
3.5 stars
Trigger warning: sexual and physical abuse, torture, deaths of love ones and children, slavery.
For me, this is one of those books that are essential to read, you need to read this story.
I admit that the writing is not the best, it is quite repetitive and sometimes a bit disjointed but it does not take away one bit of the importance of this story, it is a heavy book to read, even more so when we know that this story is an allusion to reality and that there were many women who have been through similar if not the same things.
I think the writing shouldn't make you not read this story because it's a quick story and it's very important to read!
November 12, 2023
This is a tragic story that is beautifully told. The first part of the book was tough for me to read, it is a tough part of history that is either glossed over or completely omitted in most history lessons. The strength of the Patawomeck women is incredible, as is their connection to each other and their land. The details of their culture and traditions was interesting to read and learn about. The different view points allowed for different experiences to be explored and were woven together nicely. Thank you Netgear and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book and allowing me to read it early.
December 9, 2023
3.5⭐️
Really enjoyed this novel, my first forage into Native American historical fiction. I was unaware of the things many Native tribes underwent at the hands of the English, and this book was a great fictional retelling of some of the horrors faced.
One small comment on the book is that there isnt much dialogue, and some moments could have benefited from being discussed a bit more in depth and some scenes, especially many in which very formative and traumatic events occur, were quickly moved on from.
However a super enjoyable read overall and I will definitely be recommending to fans of historical fiction or anyone wanting to learn!
Really enjoyed this novel, my first forage into Native American historical fiction. I was unaware of the things many Native tribes underwent at the hands of the English, and this book was a great fictional retelling of some of the horrors faced.
One small comment on the book is that there isnt much dialogue, and some moments could have benefited from being discussed a bit more in depth and some scenes, especially many in which very formative and traumatic events occur, were quickly moved on from.
However a super enjoyable read overall and I will definitely be recommending to fans of historical fiction or anyone wanting to learn!
March 30, 2024
A first hand look at how native women were impacted by the arrival of Europeans. The author conducted extensive research for this novel and it has rich content.
It was hard to follow at first, but the author provided a glossary in the back.
The book serves a good entry read about the uneasy relationship between the natives of Virginia and the colonists.
Thanks to Edelweiss and Sibylline Press for the early read.
It was hard to follow at first, but the author provided a glossary in the back.
The book serves a good entry read about the uneasy relationship between the natives of Virginia and the colonists.
Thanks to Edelweiss and Sibylline Press for the early read.
November 17, 2024
The writing style at the beginning of this book was so bad, I seriously considered DNFing it. I persevered and finished it. I am appreciative of this novel with it's setting in time, telling the story of indigenous women and the horrors they lived through, but I genuinely wish the editor and author had taken more time to better present the tale.
July 1, 2024
DNF. the writing style ruins the importance of the subject matter. dry, impersonal, reads like an outline
November 12, 2023
The amazing, heartbreaking, and hard to put down story of three Native American women captured and enslaved by Europeans, but managed to find their freedom and save their children.
March 29, 2024
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Lora Chilton for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for 1666 coming out April 2, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The story has been remembered within the Patawomeck tribe for generations, but is largely unknown outside of the tribe until now. Author Lora Chilton, a tribal member through the lineage of her father, has created this powerful fictional retelling.
The story follows three Indigenous Patawomeck women who lived through the decimation of their tribe by land hungry colonists in the summer of 1666, the massacre of their men, the harrowing march south where they and their children were sold and transported to Barbados via slave ship, and, eventually, their brave escape back to Virginia. It is because of these women that the tribe is in existence to this day.
This work of historical fiction is based on oral tradition, interviews with tribal elders, written colonial records and extensive research by the author, including study of the language. The book uses Indigenous names for the characters and some Patawomeck words to honor the culture and heritage that was erased when European colonization of the Americans began in the 16th century.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I really love learning about different tribes in the Americas. I was definitely blown away by this story! This is a story I’ve learned a little about, but I think it definitely needs to be shared and retold with more people. It covers a dark time in history. The writing and plot was just so deep and beautiful. I think a lot of research went into this book. I was so fascinated by the story. It was utterly depressing, but there were some good things that came out of it as well. I know it’s fiction, but it felt like a true story. I loved it!
I would recommend this book to anyone who’s interested in Indigenous history!
The story has been remembered within the Patawomeck tribe for generations, but is largely unknown outside of the tribe until now. Author Lora Chilton, a tribal member through the lineage of her father, has created this powerful fictional retelling.
The story follows three Indigenous Patawomeck women who lived through the decimation of their tribe by land hungry colonists in the summer of 1666, the massacre of their men, the harrowing march south where they and their children were sold and transported to Barbados via slave ship, and, eventually, their brave escape back to Virginia. It is because of these women that the tribe is in existence to this day.
This work of historical fiction is based on oral tradition, interviews with tribal elders, written colonial records and extensive research by the author, including study of the language. The book uses Indigenous names for the characters and some Patawomeck words to honor the culture and heritage that was erased when European colonization of the Americans began in the 16th century.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I really love learning about different tribes in the Americas. I was definitely blown away by this story! This is a story I’ve learned a little about, but I think it definitely needs to be shared and retold with more people. It covers a dark time in history. The writing and plot was just so deep and beautiful. I think a lot of research went into this book. I was so fascinated by the story. It was utterly depressing, but there were some good things that came out of it as well. I know it’s fiction, but it felt like a true story. I loved it!
I would recommend this book to anyone who’s interested in Indigenous history!
March 29, 2024
I am impressed by Lora's research, and the absolute believability of the fictional flesh she put on the known true bones of this story of determination and survival. I am a fellow member of the tribe--that is, a descendant of the remnant of the Patawomecks that remained after the attempted extermination by the colonial government that existed in Virginia in the 17th C. This story had special resonance for me, but it's a worthwhile and rugged tale for anyone, and U.S. (or any) history is vastly enriched by the telling of multiple kinds of experiences.
November 7, 2023
Couldn’t put it down! Thank you #Netgalley for an eARC.
March 27, 2024
Review will be posted April 1st on my tribe's blog! ChinookNation.org/blog
March 5, 2024
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book is brutally honest about the treatment of Native American tribes by colonists. 1666 is harsh, showing the genocide and slavery that Patawomek were forced to live through. I loved this harsh and brutal honesty. It allowed the resilience of the characters to be seen through the darkness. It also forces the reader to reflect on a time in history we Americans often forget really was this terrible.
This is a definite must read!
This book is brutally honest about the treatment of Native American tribes by colonists. 1666 is harsh, showing the genocide and slavery that Patawomek were forced to live through. I loved this harsh and brutal honesty. It allowed the resilience of the characters to be seen through the darkness. It also forces the reader to reflect on a time in history we Americans often forget really was this terrible.
This is a definite must read!
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February 25, 2024I was drawn to 1666 simply because its an indigenous survival story that’s mostly unknown, but I was even more captivated once Lora introduced the daily living and customs of the Patawomeck Tribe and the main characters. I was hooked on the journeys of Xo and Ah’SaWei, and I didn’t want to put the book down until I found out their final fate.
There’s no denying this is a difficult story to read. Especially because the massacre is based on a true event. While the story following the massacre is imagined, it depicts conditions and treatment enslaved people really faced. My heart was so heavy while reading, but difficult stories are still necessary. The ugly truth is that multiple groups blood stains the history of America. Countless people faced despicable and horrific atrocities that led to profound suffering, destruction, and death.
1666, brings awareness to the massacre of Patawomeck men and the enslavement of the women and children. After foreigners “discovered” the “new world,” the Indigenous people helped and taught them. Eventually, their kindness wasn’t enough. The explorers wanted the tribes to sell their land to them. The Patawomeck tribe refused on several occasions. As a result, the foreigners attacked.
In this story, we follow Xo and her daughter WaBus, as well as Ah’SaWei and her daughter MaNa (after the massacre) as they’re transported on a slave ship across the sea to Barbados where they’re purchased as slaves. All four of these characters are close like family, but unfortunately they’re sold to work on different sugar plantations; Xo and her daughter on one plantation and Ah’SaWei and her daughter on another. From then on, their experiences are both similar and vastly different. Most importantly, they’re both separately plotting to escape Barbados and return home.
I found myself feeling both disgusted by how the enslaved people were treated and in awe of Xo and Ah’SaWei’s resilience and courage to get home with their children by any means necessary.
I loved learning about the customs of the Patawomeck and I’m so glad this book exposed me to a historic event I had never heard of before.
Thank you to NetGalley the publisher for an advanced eARC.
There’s no denying this is a difficult story to read. Especially because the massacre is based on a true event. While the story following the massacre is imagined, it depicts conditions and treatment enslaved people really faced. My heart was so heavy while reading, but difficult stories are still necessary. The ugly truth is that multiple groups blood stains the history of America. Countless people faced despicable and horrific atrocities that led to profound suffering, destruction, and death.
1666, brings awareness to the massacre of Patawomeck men and the enslavement of the women and children. After foreigners “discovered” the “new world,” the Indigenous people helped and taught them. Eventually, their kindness wasn’t enough. The explorers wanted the tribes to sell their land to them. The Patawomeck tribe refused on several occasions. As a result, the foreigners attacked.
In this story, we follow Xo and her daughter WaBus, as well as Ah’SaWei and her daughter MaNa (after the massacre) as they’re transported on a slave ship across the sea to Barbados where they’re purchased as slaves. All four of these characters are close like family, but unfortunately they’re sold to work on different sugar plantations; Xo and her daughter on one plantation and Ah’SaWei and her daughter on another. From then on, their experiences are both similar and vastly different. Most importantly, they’re both separately plotting to escape Barbados and return home.
I found myself feeling both disgusted by how the enslaved people were treated and in awe of Xo and Ah’SaWei’s resilience and courage to get home with their children by any means necessary.
I loved learning about the customs of the Patawomeck and I’m so glad this book exposed me to a historic event I had never heard of before.
Thank you to NetGalley the publisher for an advanced eARC.
April 12, 2024
I've been reading historical fiction for decades now. But despite the excess of material about our white founding fathers, I've come across very little that explores the indigenous stories with insight and honesty. Until now.
Based on a true story and written by a member of the Patawomeck Tribe of Virginia, 1666 tells the story of three strong women and the role each played in the survival of their tribe, following a massacre by English settlers. The novel is based on oral tradition, interviews with tribal elders, written colonial records, extensive research, and study of the Patawomeck language.
At the start of the book, these peaceful, nature-loving indigenous people are growing increasingly angry with their treatment at the hands of the new settlers -- a group the tribe has fed and supported since the settlers arrived. What then unfolds is the story of the tribe's attempt to resist the settlers' ever-increasing demands and what happens to many of the women who survive.
If you, like me, usually think of enslavement in the United States as primarily affecting Afro-Americans, this novel will force you to reevaluate that assumption. The Patawomeck women suffer the same violations, the same indignations, and the same loss of autonomy. The book presents a graphic portrait of the institution of slavery that is hard to read.
1666 is a story with power and drama, written in a straightforward and simple voice. The voices of the three women narrating are not well differentiated. But that won't keep you from feeling the horror of what they endured. Or from admiring their commitments to one another and to their tribal culture.
Based on a true story and written by a member of the Patawomeck Tribe of Virginia, 1666 tells the story of three strong women and the role each played in the survival of their tribe, following a massacre by English settlers. The novel is based on oral tradition, interviews with tribal elders, written colonial records, extensive research, and study of the Patawomeck language.
At the start of the book, these peaceful, nature-loving indigenous people are growing increasingly angry with their treatment at the hands of the new settlers -- a group the tribe has fed and supported since the settlers arrived. What then unfolds is the story of the tribe's attempt to resist the settlers' ever-increasing demands and what happens to many of the women who survive.
If you, like me, usually think of enslavement in the United States as primarily affecting Afro-Americans, this novel will force you to reevaluate that assumption. The Patawomeck women suffer the same violations, the same indignations, and the same loss of autonomy. The book presents a graphic portrait of the institution of slavery that is hard to read.
1666 is a story with power and drama, written in a straightforward and simple voice. The voices of the three women narrating are not well differentiated. But that won't keep you from feeling the horror of what they endured. Or from admiring their commitments to one another and to their tribal culture.
June 4, 2024
This book could be really good... if it were well written. Stories of this magnitude, of this type of heart wrenching tale, present incredible opportunity to draw on a reader's emotions and sensibilities. But this just reads poorly, like a book report or a secondhand telling of a story.
This is a first person telling, from the point of view of three women, yet there is little emotion, little conveyed in the form of feelings, little description offered on anything beyond places, seasons, names, interactions. The facts that are presented are dry, without emotion.
I love Native American history and have studied the topic for decades, especially focusing on the area where this book takes place, modern-day coastal Virginia; the indigenous peoples called this place Tsenacomoco or Tsenacommacah. I have long been researching, writing, and, not yet done, threatening to complete a piece of historical fiction about 'The Lost Colony,' of Roanoke Island in costal North Carolina, of Jamestown in Virginia, of the Algonquin people that inhabited the east coast of North America from modern North Carolina to New England. I have lived in this area most of my life and have personally experienced these historical places. I have studied all available articles and books about this area before, during, and after 'colonization,' and I own and have read all of the books listed in the 'Further Reading' recommendations listed at the end of this book. All of the information is there in the telling, but there just isn't much heart.
I don't regret reading this book, but it was wanting for far more, a great story that just isn't well told, unfortunately.
This is a first person telling, from the point of view of three women, yet there is little emotion, little conveyed in the form of feelings, little description offered on anything beyond places, seasons, names, interactions. The facts that are presented are dry, without emotion.
I love Native American history and have studied the topic for decades, especially focusing on the area where this book takes place, modern-day coastal Virginia; the indigenous peoples called this place Tsenacomoco or Tsenacommacah. I have long been researching, writing, and, not yet done, threatening to complete a piece of historical fiction about 'The Lost Colony,' of Roanoke Island in costal North Carolina, of Jamestown in Virginia, of the Algonquin people that inhabited the east coast of North America from modern North Carolina to New England. I have lived in this area most of my life and have personally experienced these historical places. I have studied all available articles and books about this area before, during, and after 'colonization,' and I own and have read all of the books listed in the 'Further Reading' recommendations listed at the end of this book. All of the information is there in the telling, but there just isn't much heart.
I don't regret reading this book, but it was wanting for far more, a great story that just isn't well told, unfortunately.
February 18, 2024
I can't remember the last time a book moved me to tears, but 1666 did it in spades. It is both a devastating story of unfathomable loss and the power of love and perseverance. The story follows 3 Patawomeck women during the massacre of their village, slavery, and eventual return to their homeland. Through out the story the author beautifully weaves in little nuggets of their culture and traditions, all from the perspective of the women as they try to better understand their new world all while trying to find a way back home. This is the most powerful and moving book I've read in many years. I absolutely recommend it!
February 16, 2024
1666 tells the story of the massacre of the Patawomeck men, the enslavement of their women and children, and the ultimate return of three women. This harrowing story is told through the eyes of the three women who risk it all to return home and continue the lineage of their people.
I appreciated the forward letting the reader know that reading about the violence that happened to the Patawomeck people would be difficult to read. The only way to learn history is to learn the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of it. Most people shy away from the bad and ugly parts but those are the ones that we need to truly look into because we can’t move forward and we can’t prevent it from happening again if we don’t learn about it to begin with. That forward made me WANT to read this book even more just so I could learn about what happened and know it wasn’t going to be sugar coated.
I am not normally one to get teary eyed while reading but this book got me there. The pain these women experience is raw and gut wrenching. There were times I wanted to put the book down but I had to know if it got better for them so I kept reading. In my mind, it had to get better for them after already enduring so much pain, suffering, and loss over the years.
* Special thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for early access to this book in exchange for an honest review.
I appreciated the forward letting the reader know that reading about the violence that happened to the Patawomeck people would be difficult to read. The only way to learn history is to learn the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of it. Most people shy away from the bad and ugly parts but those are the ones that we need to truly look into because we can’t move forward and we can’t prevent it from happening again if we don’t learn about it to begin with. That forward made me WANT to read this book even more just so I could learn about what happened and know it wasn’t going to be sugar coated.
I am not normally one to get teary eyed while reading but this book got me there. The pain these women experience is raw and gut wrenching. There were times I wanted to put the book down but I had to know if it got better for them so I kept reading. In my mind, it had to get better for them after already enduring so much pain, suffering, and loss over the years.
* Special thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for early access to this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 28, 2024
1666 was a difficult book to get through at times but was that just means it was worth reading. It technically is about three Patawomeck women but a bulk of the story is told through two of their points of view. The Lora Chilton did not sugar coat the brutality they endured following the massacre of their tribe. It's an all to believable tale of slavery, suffering, and strength.
Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc!
Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc!
July 13, 2024
Book Review: 1666 by Lora Chilton
Rating: 4 Stars
As I delved into the pages of "1666" by Lora Chilton, I was immediately transported into a world where the harrowing survival story of the Patawomeck Tribe of Virginia unfolded through the eyes of two remarkable women, Ah’SaWei WaTaPaAnTam and NePa’WeXo. The brutal massacre of Patawomeck men and the subsequent enslavement of women and children in 1666 by colonists hungry for land is a tale that has been kept alive within the tribe, but largely unknown to the wider world until now.
This gripping historical fiction novel sheds light on a dark chapter of American history, highlighting the inhumanity and resilience of the Patawomeck people. The vivid storytelling by Chilton vividly portrays the struggles, resilience, and sheer determination of these women as they endured unspeakable hardships, including being sold into slavery and transported to Barbados.
Through alternating chapters, Chilton masterfully juxtaposes the peaceful pre-massacre life of the tribe with the horrors that followed, creating a poignant contrast that emphasizes the strength and traditions of the Patawomeck people. The characters portrayed in the book are not just fictional entities but representations of real individuals whose bravery paved the way for the tribe's recognition centuries later.
While the narrative is heart-wrenching and at times difficult to read due to the brutality and suffering depicted, it serves as a crucial reminder of the atrocities committed against Native Americans throughout history. Chilton's meticulous research and incorporation of oral histories make this imagined account ring true, offering readers a glimpse into a lesser-known aspect of American colonialism.
In conclusion, "1666" is a powerful testament to the resilience and spirit of the Patawomeck Tribe, expertly crafted by an author who is not only a storyteller but also a descendant of this proud lineage. This book is a must-read for those eager to gain a deeper understanding of Native American history and the enduring legacy of those who fought against all odds to preserve their culture and identity.
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
Rating: 4 Stars
As I delved into the pages of "1666" by Lora Chilton, I was immediately transported into a world where the harrowing survival story of the Patawomeck Tribe of Virginia unfolded through the eyes of two remarkable women, Ah’SaWei WaTaPaAnTam and NePa’WeXo. The brutal massacre of Patawomeck men and the subsequent enslavement of women and children in 1666 by colonists hungry for land is a tale that has been kept alive within the tribe, but largely unknown to the wider world until now.
This gripping historical fiction novel sheds light on a dark chapter of American history, highlighting the inhumanity and resilience of the Patawomeck people. The vivid storytelling by Chilton vividly portrays the struggles, resilience, and sheer determination of these women as they endured unspeakable hardships, including being sold into slavery and transported to Barbados.
Through alternating chapters, Chilton masterfully juxtaposes the peaceful pre-massacre life of the tribe with the horrors that followed, creating a poignant contrast that emphasizes the strength and traditions of the Patawomeck people. The characters portrayed in the book are not just fictional entities but representations of real individuals whose bravery paved the way for the tribe's recognition centuries later.
While the narrative is heart-wrenching and at times difficult to read due to the brutality and suffering depicted, it serves as a crucial reminder of the atrocities committed against Native Americans throughout history. Chilton's meticulous research and incorporation of oral histories make this imagined account ring true, offering readers a glimpse into a lesser-known aspect of American colonialism.
In conclusion, "1666" is a powerful testament to the resilience and spirit of the Patawomeck Tribe, expertly crafted by an author who is not only a storyteller but also a descendant of this proud lineage. This book is a must-read for those eager to gain a deeper understanding of Native American history and the enduring legacy of those who fought against all odds to preserve their culture and identity.
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
April 27, 2024
Actual Rating 2.5
TW: Rape, Sexual Abuse, Torture
It is the 1660s on the eastern coast of what will be called Virginia, and the indigenous people there already know not to trust the words of the white men who come to their lands. But despite trying to stay peaceful and aid their new white neighbors, the indigenous tribes soon find themselves under attack and forced to board ships to Barbados to slave on plantations. As their tribal members suffer, three women do their best to stay together and find their way home, against all odds.
This work is told using multiple POVs with a somewhat fluid timeline. I did like how it was set up, and how it used the fluidity of the timeline to tell the story. What I liked most about this work was just how many wonderful details were included about indigenous culture of the Patawomeck tribe from Virginia in the 1660s. There were so many rich details woven throughout the story, and it brough the setting to life in a beautiful way as well as teaching me much about the people who first lived in these lands. There were times though when the details read more like a list of facts rather than being smoothly incorporated into a narrative.
Unfortunately, the narrative voices weakened the story for me. The narrator’s voices were indistinguishable from each other. This made it where I had to rely on context clues to remember who was who, which was especially difficult at the beginning of the book. It also made the read feel emotionally detached, despite the events being so emotional and powerful. This was disappointing and a little frustrating.
Despite my issues with the characters, I don’t want to rate this book lower as it tells an important story that should be remembered by all Americans, and the details of indigenous culture were informative. My thanks to NetGalley and Sibylline Press for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
TW: Rape, Sexual Abuse, Torture
It is the 1660s on the eastern coast of what will be called Virginia, and the indigenous people there already know not to trust the words of the white men who come to their lands. But despite trying to stay peaceful and aid their new white neighbors, the indigenous tribes soon find themselves under attack and forced to board ships to Barbados to slave on plantations. As their tribal members suffer, three women do their best to stay together and find their way home, against all odds.
This work is told using multiple POVs with a somewhat fluid timeline. I did like how it was set up, and how it used the fluidity of the timeline to tell the story. What I liked most about this work was just how many wonderful details were included about indigenous culture of the Patawomeck tribe from Virginia in the 1660s. There were so many rich details woven throughout the story, and it brough the setting to life in a beautiful way as well as teaching me much about the people who first lived in these lands. There were times though when the details read more like a list of facts rather than being smoothly incorporated into a narrative.
Unfortunately, the narrative voices weakened the story for me. The narrator’s voices were indistinguishable from each other. This made it where I had to rely on context clues to remember who was who, which was especially difficult at the beginning of the book. It also made the read feel emotionally detached, despite the events being so emotional and powerful. This was disappointing and a little frustrating.
Despite my issues with the characters, I don’t want to rate this book lower as it tells an important story that should be remembered by all Americans, and the details of indigenous culture were informative. My thanks to NetGalley and Sibylline Press for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
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