Colin Sargent (1)

Colin Sargent's “The Museum of Human Beings” imagines the life and struggles of Jean-Baptiste Charbonneau, the son of Sacagawea and a French-Canadian fur trader, from the time when he was an infant riding on Sacagawea's back as she served as guide to Lewis and Clark, to his travels in Europe, and then back to the American wilderness.

Baptiste is a person grappling with opposing forces within himself: Native American and European, the natural world and civilization. He is part of many different circles, but always on the periphery; someone that many people know of and prize but to whom few can relate. The loss of his mother very early in life, the uncertainty regarding his father, the death of his son and lover are also disruptive forces in his life that he strives to reconcile.

Sargent's prose are so evocative and engaging, from his descriptions of the landscapes of the American West and cityscapes of Europe, to the inner conflicts within Baptiste himself as he searches for his identity and for the place where he fits in. A very enjoyable read.… (mer)

First-time novelist Colin Sargent has written a poetic and lyrical fictionalized account of the life of Jean Baptiste Charbonneau, the son of Indian guide Sacajawea. Museum of Human Beings starts off with Baptiste (as he is called throughout the novel) in his mother's papoose, witnessing the infamous Voyage of Discovery where Sacajawea led Lewis and Clark across the continent to the Pacific Ocean. Forevermore, Baptiste must make his own voyage, discovering who he is, saddled with a mixed lineage (his father being the alcoholic French-Canadian trapper and guide Toussaint Charbonneau) and a need to prove his worth to himself and society.
The novel progresses from Baptiste's early days, living as the ward of Captain Clark after his mother dies. He then travels to Europe in the entourage of Duke Paul of Wurttemberg, becoming educated and learning to navigate through society. The party removes back to America, where Baptiste once again needs to prove himself to his adopted father. Baptiste's story is enthralling and Sargent has created a flawed and honest character out of a true story.
(Read August 2009)… (mer)

"Museum of Human Beings" intrigued me with it's title and the premise of the debut novel. Jean-Baptiste is the son of Sacagawea and subsequently fostered by "Father" William Clark of the famed Lewis and Clark Expedition, after her death. Although he ultimately discovers the identity of his "real" father, Baptiste struggles with where and how to place his affections. The novel traces his search for identity and his place in the world. The story is unique and its list of characters unusual, making Baptiste's life unlike most people born of a mixed-blood relationship. Baptiste mourns the loss of his mother so early in his life, and ends up dreading the relationship awaiting him with his real father, made possible only by rejecting his foster father. Another struggle that permeates the novel is that of Baptiste and the rest of the world. With Baptiste's connection to famous white men and yet not really being one of them, he feels alone. Sargent's novel, in other reviews, has been called disjointed and choppy. I wonder if that was done purposefully. Baptiste goes from one experience to another, not quite understanding how he should perceive them, through which eyes. There are many characters that show up briefly and appear undeveloped but in life we don't get the opportunity to know everybody we meet thoroughly, and they often pass through our lives without our getting to know them. I see this as the way that Sargent shows us Baptiste train of thought, the way he tries to understand how everybody affects him or views him.

I enjoyed the novel but did feel the sense of disjointedness that have been noted by others. Having noted that, I applaud Sargent for the creative voice that makes "Museum" a uniquely energetic exploration of the time period and the unusual circumstances of Baptiste's life. The "Museum" refers to the museum of stuffed animals and samples of plants, etc, that the Lewis and Clark expedition bring home with them. But also, I think, it refers to how Baptiste feels about his place in the world, and how he is viewed by humans as a museum piece, and while prized, not actually one of them. I would say that I enjoyed reading this novel and found it quite unusual. An author that is able to come up with an approach that is different should be commended since there are so many writers that do not stand out. So while Sargent's writing may have benefited from some good editing, I think, for the most part, the novel was entertaining, unusual and thought-provoking, three important points I value when I choose to read an author. I would pick up another book by Sargent. My advice-keep writing!… (mer)