''Red Prophet'' (1988) is an

alternate history Alternate history (also referred to as alternative history, allohistory, althist, or simply A.H.) is a subgenre of speculative fiction in which one or more historical events have occurred but are resolved differently than in actual history. As ...

fantasy Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction that involves supernatural or Magic (supernatural), magical elements, often including Fictional universe, imaginary places and Legendary creature, creatures. The genre's roots lie in oral traditions, ...

novel by American writer

Orson Scott Card Orson Scott Card (born August 24, 1951) is an American writer known best for his science fiction works. , he is the only person to have won a Hugo Award for Best Novel, Hugo Award and a Nebula Award for Best Novel, Nebula Award in List of joint ...

. It is the second book in Card's '' The Tales of Alvin Maker'' series and is about Alvin Miller, the

seventh son of a seventh son The seventh son of a seventh son is a concept from folklore regarding special powers given to, or held by, such a son. To qualify as "the seventh son of a seventh son" one must be the seventh male child born in an unbroken line with no female sibli ...

. ''Red Prophet'' won the Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel in 1989, was nominated for the

Nebula Award The Nebula Awards annually recognize the best works of science fiction or fantasy published in the United States. The awards are organized and awarded by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA), a nonprofit association of pr ...

for Best Novel in 1988, and the

Hugo Award The Hugo Award is an annual literary award for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year, given at the World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon) and chosen by its members. The award is administered by th ...

for Best Novel in 1989.

Setting

The book takes place in an alternate version of America in which people have special abilities known as "knacks". The characters are caught up in a plot with ramifications on the entire future of America involving alternate versions of Tenskwa-Tawa (the "prophet"), Ta-Kumsaw,

William Henry Harrison William Henry Harrison (February 9, 1773April 4, 1841) was the ninth president of the United States, serving from March 4 to April 4, 1841, the shortest presidency in U.S. history. He was also the first U.S. president to die in office, causin ...

, and even

Napoleon Napoleon Bonaparte (born Napoleone di Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French general and statesman who rose to prominence during the French Revolution and led Military career ...

and La Fayette.

Plot summary

Lolla-Wossiky, a troubled, one-eyed, whiskey drinking "Red," leaves General

's fort and heads north to find his "dream beast," the spirit that can save him from the pain of his memories. On his journey, he meets Alvin Miller Jr. and assists him in making an ethical decision that will shape his life forever. In appreciation, Alvin heals Lolla-Wossiky's painful memories, which allows him to give up alcohol and to become in touch with the land once again. Lolla-Wossiky grows into "the Prophet" but prefers to be known as Tenskwa-Tawa. Lolla-Wossiky preaches both pacifism and separatism and believes that "Reds" should live west of the Mississippi and "Whites" should live east of it. Meanwhile, Lolla-Wossiky's brother, Ta-Kumsaw, tries to rally "Reds" behind his belief that their land should be defended violently. When Alvin Miller Jr. and his older brother Measure travel to the place of his birth, where Alvin is expected to become apprenticed to the Hatrack River blacksmith, the two brothers are captured by "Reds" ( Native Americans) who were sent by Harrison intentionally to create conflict. Ta-Kumsaw, who as sent by Lolla-Wossiky, rescues the brothers from torture and death. Measure leaves the "Reds," only to be captured by Harrison's men and is subsequently beaten to the brink of death. Ta-Kumsaw accompanies Alvin to the holy site of Eight-Face Mound where they meet up with Taleswapper, an old friend of Alvin. Using the spiritual powers of the Eight-Face Mound, Alvin heals Measure from afar. Measure then stops some of the slaughter of Lolla-Wossiky's followers by villagers and Harrison's men over the alleged kidnapping and murder of Alvin and Measure Miller.

Adaptation

A twelve-part comic book version of the novel was printed by Marvel's Dabel Brothers Productions imprint. One of the issues of the comic series featured on its cover a copy of the painting ''Engaging the Shawnee Village'' by John Buxton, which had been commissioned by the Heritage Center of

Clark County, Ohio Clark County is a county located in the west central portion of the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 136,001. Its county seat and largest city is Springfield. The county was created on March 1, 1818, and was nam ...

.
BYLINE: Andrew McGinn Staff Writer, DATE: February 22, 2007 PUBLICATION: Springfield News-Sun (OH)

Characters

* Ta-Kumsaw * Tenskwa-Tawa, known as the prophet, he uses his "inner eye" to predict the future and help shape events to meet his predictions. *

* Napoleon, Napoleon Bonaparte, Euh à knack to get his soldiers to be insanely loyal and willing to die for him. * La Fayette * Andrew "Hickory" Jackson

References

External links