" Nigli?u" by Florence D'Angelo receives five stars and the "Highly Recommended" award of excellence from The Historical Fiction Company
This fictional story explores the world of the two sides at the Battle of Wounded Knee. It's often painful, heart-wrenching, and sad. But there's also a message of hope, and love, and the power of human spirit. The book is well written, seamless editing and flow so that you wouldn't know it was co-authored. It's a book you will keep thinking about long after you put it down. The satisfying ending brings it all full-circle. In a world marked by division, the authors give us a story of people of different cultures, once divided by tragedy, who find their way together through understanding, forgiveness, and love. Nigli?u is a fictionalized story rooted in history, the two authors working together to bring this beautiful story to light. A lost language of the Lak?ota people kept alive through the pages of the book, as well. Although the setting is over 100 years ago, the message is timeless: we are more alike than different, and we are called to love one another. Inspired at the graveside of Zi?tkala Nuni on Wounded Knee hill, Wybrant's story of a fictionalized survivor, Nigli?u, was born and later developed into this novel of struggle, adaptation and triumph set in the years following the massacre. *****
5 STARS!!!!! Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Nigli?u: She Comes Out Alive - A Story of Wounded Knee is a novel in the historical fiction, interpersonal drama, and sociocultural writing subgenres. It is best suited to the general adult reading audience. Penned by author team Florence D'Angelo and Paul Oscar Wybrant, this poignant and gripping narrative is set during a pivotal moment in history, namely the Wounded Knee massacre of 1890. The story revolves around our protagonist, Nigli?u, a young Lak?ota girl who witnesses the tragic events of Wounded Knee and survives, albeit traumatized. Author team Florence D'Angelo and Paul Oscar Wybrant have crafted a truly gripping historical work that perfectly blends and balances fact and fiction, offering a unique perspective on the massacre through the eyes of Nigli?u. Her journey is heartrending and intense, and readers will find themselves deeply immersed in her world thanks to the close attention paid to her narrative, emotion, and thought presentation. The rich storytelling, sprinkled with Indigenous words and language, adds authenticity and depth to the book whilst also developing more cultural awareness and educating its audience. One of the standout features for me personally was the novel's portrayal of hope and reconciliation. It explores the power of love and understanding as two vastly different men - Nigli?u's warrior grandfather and a Jesuit priest - come together to support her. This message of unity and resilience is especially timely in today's divided world. Overall, Nigli?u is a testament to the enduring human spirit and the capacity for healing and forgiveness. It's a story that lingers in your thoughts long after you've finished reading, reminding us of the importance of empathy and connection in a world marked by division, and I, for one, would highly recommend it.
