Winds of the Prairie

Winds of the Prairie is Joyce AHalvorsens second novel. This stunning book offers a prairie eye view of early Dakota between the years of 1869 and 1901. As a state for only three years by 1901, South Dakota speaks with many voices. The story is seen through the eyes of Lincoln Kenneth Cassidy from the age 15 until his age of 57. Yet, no voice is as clear and as demanding as that of the prairie herself. She accepts few novices. Only the stubborn and brave and those who understand the prairie’s ways can survive in these lands.

Born of a Lakota Sioux mother and white father, Lincoln finds he is torn between his family’s cultures and traditions. He idolizes the wisdom of his white grandfather Herman Cassidy, but is awed and frightened by the power of his mother’s uncles, the Elders from the Lakota Sioux tribe. He doesn’t know his place and is often confused by each one’s values.

Linc meets a young man by the name of Joseph Hawk, once a slave in Missouri. They become fast friends. Though free to leave Lincoln’s ranch, the Double-D, Joseph chose to stay. Joseph often acts as a buffer and protector between Lincoln and trouble. A turning point in Linc’s life comes when, as a boy, he is asked by his grandfather to participate in the Double-D’s cattle drive. There are many adventures while on the cattle drive and he experiences challenges which nearly break Lincoln’s heart. But he survives.

Later, as a man and married with the responsibilities of a ranch owner, Lincoln desires against family advice to change the ranch from that of a cattle farm to include conservation and preservation. The original state of being of the wild things of the prairie will have primary importance. He sees himself as one of the caretakers of the wild things which are fast disappearing.

When Lincoln’s life is turned upside down by murder, he vows to seek retribution. The angels of mercy and forgiveness call out on one shoulder and vengeance and hate dance on the other. Lincoln has no patience with being merciful and seeks justice with a gun. Always beside him is his friend Joseph. The resolution of this story is a remarkable twist of fate. Always, Lincoln is guided by an inner conviction that the prairie knows what is best. Her voice speaks to him even when he feels lost.

Winds of the Prairie is a heartfelt and moving tale about resilience and hope of many kinds of people during the formative years of the State of Dakota. Ms. Halvorsen’s understanding of the human heart and condition, along with her compelling prose, engages and crosses the boundaries of a time period from post-Civil War to a new century that should not be forgotten.