D'Ri and I By: Irving Bacheller (1859-1950)
D'Ri and I by Irving Bacheller is a captivating tale that transports readers to the beautiful landscapes of the North Country. Set during the early 1800s in the remote Adirondack Mountains, this historical fiction novel weaves a heartwarming story of friendship, love, and adventure. The book introduces the reader to D'Ri, a strong and charismatic Adirondack guide, and Gaston, a widowed artist seeking solace in the wilderness. The two unlikely friends form a bond that transcends cultural differences and societal norms, as they embark on a series of extraordinary journeys together. Bacheller's vivid descriptions make the Adirondack Mountains come alive, painting a breathtaking picture of the untamed landscapes that act as the backdrop for D'Ri and Gaston's escapades. The author's evident love for these surroundings permeates each page, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the natural beauty and serenity of this remote location. What truly elevates this book is the depth of the characters. D'Ri is portrayed as a resilient yet humble man, raised in the wilderness and possessing an unparalleled knowledge of his surroundings. Gaston, on the other hand, is a city-dwelling artist who finds liberation in the simplicity and purity of nature. Both characters undergo personal growth, challenging their preconceived notions and expanding their understanding of the world around them. Through the bond between D'Ri and Gaston, Bacheller explores themes of camaraderie, respect, and the capacity for human connection to transcend conventional barriers. Their friendship enriches the lives of everyone they encounter, as they navigate encounters with Native American tribes, confront wild animals, and face various trials and tribulations. The narrative pace is consistently engrossing, with moments of intense action interspersed with quieter reflections on life and the human condition. Bacheller's prose is eloquent yet accessible, blending compelling storytelling with poetic descriptions. This makes it easy for readers to lose themselves in the story, experiencing the emotions and triumphs alongside the characters. However, there are moments when the book meanders, delving into tangents that detract slightly from the overall narrative arc. These diversions, while enjoyable in themselves, occasionally disrupt the flow of the story and may leave some readers longing to return to the central plot. Overall, D'Ri and I is a delightful and memorable novel that transports readers to another time and place. Irving Bacheller's evocative storytelling, vivid descriptions, and well-developed characters make this a must-read for anyone seeking an immersive historical fiction experience. It is a tale that reminds us of the transformative power of friendship, the resilience of the human spirit, and the inherent beauty of the natural world. First Page: D'RI AND I A TALE of DARING DEEDS in the SECOND WAR with the BRITISH. Being the Memoirs of Colonel Ramon Bell, U.S.A. BY IRVING BACHELLER, author of "Eben Holden." 1901 TO MY WIFE PREFACE This is a tale of the adventurous and rugged pioneers, who, unconquered by other foes, were ever at war with the ancient wilderness, pushing the northern frontier of the white man farther and farther to the west. Early in the last century they had striped the wild waste of timber with roadways from Lake Champlain to Lake Ontario, and spotted it with sown acres wide and fair; and still, as they swung their axes with the mighty vigor of great arms, the forest fell before them, In a long valley south of the St. Lawrence, sequestered by river, lake, and wilderness, they were slow to lose the simplicity, the dialect, and the poverty of their fathers. Some Frenchmen of wealth and title, having fled the Reign of Terror, bought a tract of wild country there (six hundred and thirty thousand acres) and began to fill it with fine homes. It was said the great Napoleon himself would some day build a chateau among them. A few men of leisure built manor houses on the river front, and so the Northern Yankee came to see something of the splendor of the far world, with contempt, as we may well imagine, for its waste of time and money... Continue reading book >>

D'Ri and I By: Irving Bacheller (1859-1950)

D'Ri and I by Irving Bacheller is a captivating tale that transports readers to the beautiful landscapes of the North Country. Set during the early 1800s in the remote Adirondack Mountains, this historical fiction novel weaves a heartwarming story of friendship, love, and adventure.

The book introduces the reader to D'Ri, a strong and charismatic Adirondack guide, and Gaston, a widowed artist seeking solace in the wilderness. The two unlikely friends form a bond that transcends cultural differences and societal norms, as they embark on a series of extraordinary journeys together.

Bacheller's vivid descriptions make the Adirondack Mountains come alive, painting a breathtaking picture of the untamed landscapes that act as the backdrop for D'Ri and Gaston's escapades. The author's evident love for these surroundings permeates each page, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the natural beauty and serenity of this remote location.

What truly elevates this book is the depth of the characters. D'Ri is portrayed as a resilient yet humble man, raised in the wilderness and possessing an unparalleled knowledge of his surroundings. Gaston, on the other hand, is a city-dwelling artist who finds liberation in the simplicity and purity of nature. Both characters undergo personal growth, challenging their preconceived notions and expanding their understanding of the world around them.

Through the bond between D'Ri and Gaston, Bacheller explores themes of camaraderie, respect, and the capacity for human connection to transcend conventional barriers. Their friendship enriches the lives of everyone they encounter, as they navigate encounters with Native American tribes, confront wild animals, and face various trials and tribulations.

The narrative pace is consistently engrossing, with moments of intense action interspersed with quieter reflections on life and the human condition. Bacheller's prose is eloquent yet accessible, blending compelling storytelling with poetic descriptions. This makes it easy for readers to lose themselves in the story, experiencing the emotions and triumphs alongside the characters.

However, there are moments when the book meanders, delving into tangents that detract slightly from the overall narrative arc. These diversions, while enjoyable in themselves, occasionally disrupt the flow of the story and may leave some readers longing to return to the central plot.

Overall, D'Ri and I is a delightful and memorable novel that transports readers to another time and place. Irving Bacheller's evocative storytelling, vivid descriptions, and well-developed characters make this a must-read for anyone seeking an immersive historical fiction experience. It is a tale that reminds us of the transformative power of friendship, the resilience of the human spirit, and the inherent beauty of the natural world.

First Page:

D'RI AND I

A TALE of DARING DEEDS in the SECOND WAR with the BRITISH.

Being the Memoirs of Colonel Ramon Bell, U.S.A.

BY IRVING BACHELLER, author of "Eben Holden."

1901

TO MY WIFE

PREFACE

This is a tale of the adventurous and rugged pioneers, who, unconquered by other foes, were ever at war with the ancient wilderness, pushing the northern frontier of the white man farther and farther to the west. Early in the last century they had striped the wild waste of timber with roadways from Lake Champlain to Lake Ontario, and spotted it with sown acres wide and fair; and still, as they swung their axes with the mighty vigor of great arms, the forest fell before them,

In a long valley south of the St. Lawrence, sequestered by river, lake, and wilderness, they were slow to lose the simplicity, the dialect, and the poverty of their fathers.

Some Frenchmen of wealth and title, having fled the Reign of Terror, bought a tract of wild country there (six hundred and thirty thousand acres) and began to fill it with fine homes. It was said the great Napoleon himself would some day build a chateau among them. A few men of leisure built manor houses on the river front, and so the Northern Yankee came to see something of the splendor of the far world, with contempt, as we may well imagine, for its waste of time and money... Continue reading book >>

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