Nadya is a historical fantasy novel by Pat Murphy, published in 1996. It tells the story of Nadya Rybak, a young woman who is also a werewolf, as she travels from Missouri to California in the mid-1800s, facing dangers, hardships, and prejudices along the way.
The novel begins in rural Poland, where Nadya’s parents, Dmitri and Marietta, are part of a secret community of werewolves who live among the peasants. They decide to emigrate to America, hoping for a better life and more freedom. They settle in Missouri, where they teach Nadya how to shoot, ride, and transform into a wolf. Nadya grows up feeling different from the other girls, and develops a crush on her neighbor, Rufus Jones.
However, one night, Rufus and a group of settlers, influenced by a fanatical preacher, go on a wolf hunt. They kill Nadya’s parents, who were in their wolf form, and Nadya barely escapes. She takes revenge by shooting Rufus, then cuts her hair, dresses as a man, and joins a wagon train heading west. On the way, she befriends Elizabeth Metcalf, a refined lady who was abandoned by her companions, and Jenny, a young orphan girl. Together, they face the perils of the frontier, such as rattlesnakes, Indians, bandits, and the remains of the cannibalistic Donner party.
Nadya also struggles with her dual nature, and tries to balance her human and wolf sides. She finds love with Elizabeth, who accepts her for who she is, but also feels a connection with the wild wolves she encounters. She learns about the Cheyenne culture, which respects the spirit of the wolf, and meets a half-Indian werewolf who offers her a place to belong. However, she also faces the hostility and fear of the settlers, who view her as a monster and a threat.
Nadya is a well-written and engaging novel, with vivid descriptions of the historical setting and the supernatural elements. The author does a great job of portraying the challenges and joys of being a werewolf in a hostile world, and the complex emotions and relationships of the characters. The novel is also a feminist and queer story, as it explores the themes of identity, freedom, and love across boundaries.
Nadya is a novel that will appeal to fans of historical fiction, fantasy, and werewolves. It is a rousing and gripping tale of a woman who is both a wolf and a human, and who finds her own way in a wild and changing land.
Review:
I really enjoyed reading Nadya, and I found it to be a refreshing and original take on the werewolf genre. The author did a great job of creating a realistic and immersive historical setting, and blending it with the fantasy elements. I liked how the novel showed the different perspectives and cultures of the people and the wolves, and how Nadya learned from both. I also liked how the novel explored the themes of identity, freedom, and love, and how Nadya had to make difficult choices and sacrifices. The characters were well-developed and sympathetic, and I cared about their fates.
The writing style was smooth and captivating, and the plot was fast-paced and exciting. The novel was also very inclusive and diverse, as it featured a strong female protagonist, a lesbian romance, and a positive representation of Native Americans. I would recommend this novel to anyone who likes historical fiction, fantasy, and werewolves, and who is looking for a novel that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. Nadya is a novel that will stay with you long after you finish it.
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Nadya (IMAGINAIRE) by Pat Murphy | Goodreads
