SPOILERSAs i wrote above, i couldn't stand the narrative. Descriptions of nature were way too long and a bit boring and i just hated the way that Hawkeye was self-righteous and feeling superior - in fact that irritated me most! I was struggling to finish and finally i've found a copy in Polish. So half i've read in English and second half in Polish. The second half went much faster, probably not only because i've read it in my own language but also because there is much more happening in that part of the book
"Tha LAst of the Mohicans" was my choice, because of the 1992 movie. I was hoping it will be very similar and it dissapointed me
But i've read that 1992 movie with Daniel Day-Lewis according to the director Michael Mann was based more on the 1936 film version than on Cooper's book. Many of the scenes from the 1992 movie did not follow the book: different characters die (Heyward, Alice and Uncas) and the title is explained in a stupid way (Chingachgook calls himself the last of the mohicans when Uncas dies
). But still the movie makes better impression on me, although in book these facts, that were changed in the movie, make much more sense. It makes sense that it's Uncas and Cora who die and the explanation of the title is simple but efficient.
I've read some analysis of the book and i have to say that one of the things each one of them mentions disturbs me a lot: it is said that Cora desires Uncas because her mother was part black, that her attraction to an Indian is explained by her "blood". I don't really like that explanation. Cora is shown as an independent and strong character. Someone like her probably would never exist in those times. She is, in my opinion way too strong to be interested in someone as mild as Duncan (childish Alice is perfect for him), or even worse - David. She needs a person who would be her partner - soneone with equally strong character. And the way i see it, the only decisive, available man is Uncas. Of course there are also Hawkeye and Chingachgook, but they are closer to her father's age and 'position' - they are paternal figures in Uncas' life. So Uncas is the only young, available and competent man - that is the reason why Cora chooses him. Which by the way she does not really do - she likes him but would she try to do anything if they would survive? I guess that respecting her father and not wanting to put him in difficult position, she wouldn't.
What do You think?
i've finished! I just couldn't stand it anymore, so i've found polish copy and that was a bit faster for me. I have to say at the end it gets better. I will write my impressions tomorrow - sorry it was a hard night 