One of the great "ethical" novels of the 19th century, Ramona was meant to do for the Native Americans what Uncle Tom's Cabin had done for the enslaved.
I read this book as a young teenager. In January, I bought a copy while wandering through Old Town in San Diego with my colleague Charles before a Gregorian chant workshop. After letting it kick around the house for a few months, I just re-read it.
Still a great love story and drama of 19th century southern California. You have to have a tolerance for the prolix writing of that era, but the characters and settings are still entrancing.
Oh, I also had a recording of the song.
MJB, thank you for the honor, tho' I'm really not worthy, of being named "your colleague." Humbled I am.
Posted by: Charles in CenCA | June 09, 2009 at 11:20 AM