The Double Life of Pocahontas

Jean Fritz built her reputation writing well-researched, nonromanticized books of history for children. This biography of Pocahontas, originally published in the early 1980s, shows that her reputation is well earned. Through careful use of historical documentation and clear identification of supposition from fact, the listener is given a balanced look at the first interaction of English settlers and Native Americans. Melissa Hughes reads the story with a tone of authority and compassion for all of the characters. She enlivens Pocahontas, a girl curious about these strangers who have come to her land. The listener comes away with admiration for a young woman, a pawn of both sides, who tried to bridge two cultures. N.E.M. (c) AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine

May 21, 2007
Fans of Fritz's lively nonfiction will be disappointed that this audio adaptation falls a bit flat. Perhaps Hughes is fettered by the historically accurate style of Fritz's prose, which is smoothly crafted but lacks dramatic dialogue. Hughes is primarily cast in the role of narrator, having little actual character work available to her to add color. Overall, her reading, though pleasant, is placid and restrained. Some listeners may draw comparisons with the experience of hearing a not particularly dynamic elementary school teacher reading a book to the class: one can follow and enjoy the tale, but the reader doesn't bring much to the story other than to act as a conduit for the author's text. Ages 9-up.