West, a novel by Carys Davies, is a stark reminder of how difficult American life was in the early 1800s, even in relatively settled places like Pennsylvania. To venture beyond, following the footsteps of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, was an invitation to potential disaster.
When mule breeder Cy Bellman, a widower with a young daughter, reads in the newspaper about huge ancient bones being found in Kentucky, his curiosity is stirred. He must see these beasts for himself. He convinces his taciturn sister to live on his farm and oversee his mule operation and take care of his daughter, Bess. He assures her that their neighbor, Elmer Jackson, will help when needed. Cy leaves his Pennsylvania home, promising to return in two years, and rides toward unknown western wilderness.
Bess, approaching womanhood, misses her father terribly and anxiously awaits his promised letters. She’s a lonely girl with few possessions or joys in her life.
Along the way, Cy hires a young Shawnee boy to accompany him. Their only communication is hand signals as neither speaks the other’s language. The two travel into harsh unknown land.
Davies’ West offers stark yet vivid descriptions, bringing life to the more settled east and to the wildness of the west.