Shaman

They have a special gift. Their fates are written in the history of the Wild West.

Some men of the Cole dynasty of Scottish medicine are gifted with the ability to instinctively sense when death is imminent. They include Rob J. Cole, who joined the first white immigrants to the original Indian Territory in Illinois in the second half of the 19th century. In the newly founded settlement of Holden's Ferry, a handful of residents are at the mercy of harsh nature, accidents and deadly epidemics. The presence of an educated doctor with an exceptional gift means hope for their survival. The young man becomes an invaluable part of the new community and does not hesitate to help the local Sauk tribe living on the reservation.

Cole's life is shadowed by the deafness of his first-born son, nicknamed Shaman by the Indians. A boy who has inherited a unique "sixth sense" longs to follow in his father's footsteps. While fighting for their dream, the Coles, along with the rest of America, are drawn into a war between the North and the South.

The work, spanning four decades of American history, was honored with the J. F. Cooper for Best Historical Novel and was nominated for the Italian Premio Seleziones.

A loose sequel to Ranhojic, the first volume of the dynastic trilogy about the fate of the Cole family. We are also preparing the final episode of The Doctor.

"The author builds atmosphere through remarkable details - for example, by describing the healing rituals of the Sauk, a matter-of-fact description of the amputation of a leg, or a trick to relax the muscles of the rectum with a cigar during fistula surgery." - The New York Times

They were all given the same instructions. To get the Shaman's attention. Pointing to your lips. Speak to him slowly and clearly. Instead of speaking to his ears speak to his eyes.

In the morning, when they woke up, Rob J. was tying them up. my son's hands. At mealtime, Alex was untying it. Then he tied his brother's hands again. Alex made sure that none of the other children made any moves.

But the eyes in the Shaman's torn face were more troubled every day. He was closing himself off from everyone. He was unable to understand. And he wasn't talking at all. If Rob J. had he heard of anyone else who would tie their child's hands, he would have done everything in his power to save that child. Cruelty was not one of his character traits. He saw how the Shaman's suffering was reflected on the other members of the household. It was a relief for him to take the doctor's cord and drive out after the visits. - excerpt from the text