"Wanders Far" by David Fitz-Gerald

Wanders Far by David Fitz-Gerald

Publication Date: May 11, 2019

Outskirts Press

eBook, Paperback, AudioBook; 197 Pages

Genre: Historical Fiction

Wanders Far lived in dangerous times and was faced with one difficult challenge after another. He was a skinny, quiet boy who was raised on the banks of a tributary of New York State’s Mohawk River, hundreds of years before colonists arrived. One lifetime was not enough for Wanders Far’s old soul. From a very young age, his wanderlust compelled him down one path after another. No village could contain him. He was happy living a simple life in the physical world during challenging times. The spirit world had other plans. A wise, enigmatic shaman mentored Wanders Far and helped him cultivate the supernatural visions that haunted him. His guide could only help him so far. He set out to become a runner, carrying important messages across the lands of his people and their enemies. He ended up fulfilling a much greater destiny than he ever imagined.

"This engrossing, well-written novel tells the story of a pivotal moment in Iroquois history through a well-traveled protagonist." - Kirkus Reviews

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Review

Wanders Far is an amazing multi-genre tale, panning several decades. It's has elements of a historical fiction, an adrenaline-throbbing survival thriller, and a racy adventure, all brilliantly woven together. Spotlighting the years from 1125 through 1192, the story takes us through the life of Wanders Far, a remarkably brave and self-righteous protagonist who would stay in our minds for long after we finish the story. With tribal wars and clash of the clans as its primary theme, David also gives us a dose of his take of how lives were led those days, with a spy-glass. Concepts of familial togetherness, ethics, democracy, are all dealt with tactfully by the author. I loved the characterization, especially that of Bear Fat, the mother of Wanders Far. She is an awe-inspiring fearless leader and I loved the matriarchal governance idea. The pace was gripping, and the articulation was quite engaging. A superb book. I am so glad I got to read it. My sincere thanks to Amy Bruno from HF Promotions, Outskirts Press, and David Fitz-gerald for gifting me a copy of this book for an honest review.

Excerpt

Their hosts guided them along the trail to elevated bluffs above the lake. For a long time, they stood at the edge of a cliff, three hundred feet above the surface of the lake, looking out over the glistening, Shining Waters. Immediately over the edge of the cliff there were giant rock formations, mud-colored spires, tortuously sculpted by the elements throughout the ages.

When the others had tired of standing at the precipice, they followed the trail which crossed the bluff then led down the hill to the shore. After a while, Wanders Far was alone. He stood at the edge of the precipice and stretched his arms as wide as he possibly could.

A bald eagle soared into view, looking for a meal, scampering along the exposed terrain. Wanders Far thought the eagle had quite an advantage.

He concentrated and visualized himself seeing the view from the eagle’s perspective. Remarkably, he felt the sensation of his soul leaving his body. Then he felt the spirit of the bird. There was a feeling of hunger, and a need to feed. Wanders Far felt a malevolent presence. The bird was an inhospitable host for the boy and was eager to return to the work of finding a meal.

Briefly, the eagle tolerated the boy’s pointless flight. He spread his wings wide and effortlessly glided across the top of the prominent formations, then tilted effortlessly to the left and flew out over the water. Wanders Far saw himself standing on the edge of the far away cliff through the eagle’s eyes way out over the open water. Then the eagle tilted again, turning back toward the dunes.

The eagle’s eye caught sight of a medium sized jackrabbit near the bottom of a hill, slightly to the west of the cliffs, a very short distance from the pebble beach where Wanders Far’s hosts and companions stood, feet in the water. Wanders Far got a sense that the bird had forgotten that it was carrying him along with it. The bird flew faster, and faster, directly toward the rabbit. Wanders Far felt like the bird would smash itself onto the ground, rendered lifeless by the contact. Yet the boy felt the excitement of the speed, feeling the air pass over the wings of the bird, and the sense of conquest. He felt the need to snatch the rabbit from the ground with the bird’s sharp yellow toes. Moments later, Wanders Far felt the rush of danger that came with approaching the ground and grabbing the rabbit. The possibility of a violent impact and the proximity of a fixed surface was exciting. Fortunately, the eagle expertly avoided a collision without thought or plan, but rather with a skill perfected by years of experience.

As the bird rose again into the air, he seemed to remember that he was carrying an extra spirit, which he no longer was interested in entertaining. The bird gained elevation, and as the eagle flew over the body of Wanders Far, the eagle defecated. Wanders Far felt his spirit return to his own body just in time to experience the sensation of a glob of wet bird excrement land on his back, at the base of his neck.

The eagle landed twenty-five feet from Wanders Far. With a few quick movements, beak and talons ripped the rabbit’s body to shreds. Wanders Far watched as the eagle had his meal. Wanders Far felt the bird’s spirit gloating and taunting the boy, as if it was intentionally depriving Wanders Far of the experience of enjoying the meal. Nonetheless, Wanders Far concentrated on sending a message of gratitude back to the bird, appreciation for the gift of flight and the chance to experience the scenery from a different perspective.

Moments later, the eagle took off from the cliffs and Wanders Far watched until he disappeared into the distance. When he was gone, Wanders Far followed the path westward, down the hill, and then turned to walk along the pebble beach where he caught up with the others.

“Did you see that magnificent eagle?” Dandelion shouted as Wanders Far approached.

Wanders Far nodded, put a slight, mock frown on his face, stretched his arms as he had on the bluff, and slowly spun around, showing his brother the mess he carried on his back.

Dandelion hooted and hollered, jumped up and down, and shouted, “Is that what I think it is?” Dandelion got so excited, it was as if he were envious that his brother had been singled out to receive a great gift. “I never heard of anybody getting crapped on by an eagle.”

Wanders Far shook his head in disbelief. Normally his brother was so relaxed and easy going, nothing much seemed to get him going. Of all the things they experienced together through the years, Wanders Far thought, it took eagle poop for him to find a way to entertain his brother.

Dandelion made sure every member of their host party got a good look before he let his brother wash himself off in the lake. “Have you had enough yet?” Wanders Far finally asked his brother. Then he turned toward the Shining Waters and waded out until the water was deep enough to swim in.

As he bathed, Wanders Far reflected on being carried by the eagle. He had never felt his spirit in the body of an animal before. The only human body Wanders Far could recall sending his spirit into was his brother, Dandelion. Wanders Far chuckled at the thought that the bird knew he was there, but his brother never did. It was a one-way spiritual connection. Wanders Far could read his brother’s thoughts as his brother conjured them and Wanders Far could place his own thoughts in his brother’s mind whenever he wished. On his way back from the water, Wanders Far admonished himself for thinking the eagle was smarter than his brother. The fact was, Wanders Far adored and idolized his carefree sibling.

The next morning, they headed for home.

About the Author

After a chaotic day as a business person, Dave enjoys getting lost in the settings he imagines and spending time with the characters he creates. Writing historical fiction is like making paintings of the past. He loves to weave fact and fiction together, stirring in action, adventure, romance, and a heavy dose of the supernatural with the hope of transporting the reader to another time and place. He is an Adirondack 46-er, which means he has hiked all of the highest peaks in New York State, so it should not be surprising when Dave attempts to glorify hikers as swashbuckling superheroes in his writing. Wanders Far—An Unlikely Hero’s Journey is the first in a series of books in the Adirondack Spirit Series.

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Giveaway

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