This was an idiosyncratic book, with a slow start and an ending that I'm not quite sure about, but I wholly recommend it to fans of mythic fiction. It's a beautiful evocation of the textures, scents, and daily rhythms of its folkloric Pacific Northwest setting, exploring through fine details what it means to be a living being in a world of birth and death and struggle.

While the book dragged for me at first, readerly patience is rewarded with a tense, high stakes coming of age–quest story. Cloud is a wonderful, slightly unusual character, a clueless mortal girl with immortal bear parentage who struggles to identify her desires and emotions. The text makes wise observations about trauma and family, and it's refreshing to encounter a female protagonist with low emotional intelligence.

Finally, Judith Berman is an anthropologist, and this is a respectful and nuanced adaptation of Native source material by a non-Native author. This is her only novel, although I think I've read a short story or two of hers. Alas, it seems she's wholly out of print, so I will be on the lookout for new publications. ( )

Bear Daughter is an inspiring Fantasy novel, which follows a young bear cub turned girl named Cloud. Now a human child, Cloud must learn human manners and avoid the wrath of her mother's husband, Rumble. I did love the various character names and how they all tied in with the theme of nature.

Aged thirteen and threatened with imminent death, Cloud is chased from the home she came to know, to seek a better life for herself elsewhere. As she travels, she finds herself plagued by dark dreams that will lead her to fulfill her long awaited destiny.

I loved the comparison between mortal and immortal people in this world. The juxtaposition of flawless creatures of surreal beauty with dark intentions had me hooked and unable to put the book down. Strong themes included those of identity, loss of self and others, in addition to mortality.

The plot was fast moving, with great structure to the author's writing. Cloud's emotional state was well explored and helped me to better identify with her character. This magical world was one that I instantly felt a pull toward. So many mysteries await the read in its pages.

The one small issue I had with the book was the ending of part four, where we are introduced to a character at random after a major time leap. This was initially confusing, but by the end of the section, all of my confusion was put to rest. I just wish the sudden change in scenario had been made clear from the start of that particular segment.

Many elements of Bear Daughter are drawn from rich indigenous oral literature of the North American Northwest Coast. The events of the novel stem from a group of traditions from the aforementioned area, that are collectively known as the Bear Mother Story. Author Judith Berman found themselves greatly affected by learning of such traditions and responded by writing this masterpiece.

I loved this book and would happily recommend it to everyone I know. I shall be buying my partner their own copy. 5/5 stars. ( )

At the beginning it was interesting, but after page after page nothing seemed to happen (except being privy to the protagonist's soul-searching) I began to tire.

It could have been a good adventure book with some more action, or a good introspective book without it, but it fails on both accounts.

Nice place and primitive behaviour descriptions reflecting an excellent groundwork but lacking soul (IMHO), thus the rating. ( )

This is an epic. It is visionary. Many times throughout reading it I am reminded of Neil Gaiman's writing style. And at the end Berman explains the path she takes to find her story. It leaves you thinking. ( )

Cloud goes to sleep a bear and awakes to discover she has transformed into a human girl. A sweet children's fairytale you might think, well you could not be more wrong. She has to flee from the town ruled by her human mothers husband fearing for her life. So begins a journey through spirit worlds full of mythical creatures animal and human, as she bravely battles to survive.
Be warned there is also graphic violence.
I will be honest I cannot say I understood all the nuances of the story, but nevertheless thoroughly enjoyed it. This book is very well written descriptive, engaging imaginative, intriguing and very entertaining, and I very much recommend it. ( )

Bear Daughter is a Native American (West Coast) mythology story about Cloud. She one day wakes up as a twelve year old girl after being a bear for the first part of her life (though she remembers very little of this). She is kicked out of her step father's house and not allowed to see her mother. Her father was part of the first people, though killed by her step father. To discover who she is and her task in life, Cloud goes through many trials.

I really enjoyed this book. It is written as a traditional Native American myth and it captured me from the start. Good storyline with unexpected twists and turns, and I could identify with Cloud. ( )

Wow... I simply couldn't put this book down. I was very surprised to quickly learn that I was actually reading a book that consists of mythology.
I was instantly captivated and really enjoys the style of writing; I was completely enveloped in Clouds (main character) story. I felt her pain, confusion, frustration- one that we can probably all relate to; one of finding life's purpose; from a child to suddenly being thrust into adulthood.

Cloud struggles with accepting who she is. She fights against it- there a some harsh lessons for her to learn, but that's all part of her story and believe me... you suffer along with her and rejoice with her; as if you were her!

Brilliant. ( )

This book really grabbed me - I had a seriously hard time putting it down! It mixes two of my favourite categories, historical fiction and mythology, into a beautiful blend of themes that was intriguing to read. One of my favourite things was that you completely followed the main character's perspective - if she was confused, you sure were too! ( )

When I first read the description of this book I assumed it would be a story primarily written for children, a bear who wakes up a girl, her adventures thereafter with an easy to understand moral message. The truth of this book is far more complex and a lot more interesting.
It took me a little while to get used to the style of writing at first as the descriptions sometimes felt like they lacked a certain depth. But as I read more it became apparent why this is. The book, while not in first person, is told entirely from Cloud's perception. We as readers only get to see and hear what Cloud does. There are no side chapters telling you what's happening elsewhere, no conversations out of Cloud's earshot, no descriptions of what other characters are feeling or thinking other than what Cloud perceives, and that's the perception of a naive and innocent girl on the cusp of womanhood. We know only as much as cloud does and therefore feel the same excitement when she finds out more about who she is and why she is the way she is. As Cloud matures, so do the depth of the descriptions.
As can be expected from the title and description, the book is heavily influenced by native American culture and mythology, though the author stresses she has taken these myths, mixed them up and added her own ideas.
In common with many stories and myths based on old tales, this story is not Disney. Though not dwelled upon there are scenes of domestic violence, slavery, butchery and attempted rape. This is a story which I think would most be suited to early-late teenagers and adults. Cloud struggles to understand what it is to be a girl on the cusp of womanhood, the confusion in not knowing her purpose and what she wants or where she belongs, the range of hard to handle emotions. It is easy to say she feels lost because she was a bear as a child, but the reality is almost all teenagers go through the same process of change as they grow up. As an adult I enjoyed the book from an adults perspective, feeling protective of Cloud and wanting to give her the feeling of safety, belonging and love she so desperately craves (the scenes with her mother are very well written and will make you nostalgic for either the comforting embrace of your own mother or of your own children). It is a story of a girl going through the 'rite' of adulthood, learning (often the hard way) that the world is not black and white, that those who seem nice may not be and those and those who seem cold can have hearts of gold, that even when someone is genuinely nice sometimes nice isn't what we need to progress! Cloud's adventure is at times lonely, exhausting, distressing and unfair. But all these aspects are also what makes Cloud grow, they teach her life lessons that must be experienced to be understood.
I enjoyed going on this adventure with Cloud, in particular the setting of a world where spirit animals, wizards and magic exist, making this not just another coming of age story. ( )

Loved this book. This is the first book I've read by Ms. Berman but it won't be the last. I began this book with a lot of curiosity about the subject matter since I have read very few books based on the Pacific Northwest Indian myths and stories. I wasn't disappointed. Once I began Cloud's story I never stopped until I finished the complete book. She quickly became someone you cared about. Her story is not always a happy one and in her life story a lot of sadness and tragedy happens to her and to all she loves. She is constantly getting involved with the immortals of Pacific Northwest Indian legends. Her world is full of immortals and animals who wear masks flowing between a human form or animal form. Her step-father is horrible and under the thumb of a very controlling shaman or wizard. Her mother is an abused wife. The only kindness she receives is from her Aunt Glory. Cloud herself one who wears a mask or what some would say is a shapeshifter, a four-legs. She woke one morning a human 12 year-old girl with no memory of her four-leg life or where her mask is. The timelines in the book are confusing at times. We never know for sure how much time is passing for her and the world around her when she's traveling the immortals' worlds. But this is a minor issue. The story is compelling and very interesting. I feel it's a must and very enjoyable read. ( )

Bear Daughter is an inspiring Fantasy novel, which follows a young bear cub turned girl named Cloud. Now a human child, Cloud must learn human manners and avoid the wrath of her mother's husband, Rumble. I did love the various character names and how they all tied in with the theme of nature.

Aged thirteen and threatened with imminent death, Cloud is chased from the home she came to know, to seek a better life for herself elsewhere. As she travels, she finds herself plagued by dark dreams that will lead her to fulfill her long awaited destiny.

I loved the comparison between mortal and immortal people in this world. The juxtaposition of flawless creatures of surreal beauty with dark intentions had me hooked and unable to put the book down. Strong themes included those of identity, loss of self and others, in addition to mortality.

The plot was fast moving, with great structure to the author's writing. Cloud's emotional state was well explored and helped me to better identify with her character. This magical world was one that I instantly felt a pull toward. So many mysteries await the read in its pages.

The one small issue I had with the book was the ending of part four, where we are introduced to a character at random after a major time leap. This was initially confusing, but by the end of the section, all of my confusion was put to rest. I just wish the sudden change in scenario had been made clear from the start of that particular segment.

Many elements of Bear Daughter are drawn from rich indigenous oral literature of the North American Northwest Coast. The events of the novel stem from a group of traditions from the aforementioned area, that are collectively known as the Bear Mother Story. Author Judith Berman found themselves greatly affected by learning of such traditions and responded by writing this masterpiece.

I loved this book and would happily recommend it to everyone I know. I shall be buying my partner their own copy. 5/5 stars. ( )

This was a mythical fantasy, taking Pacific Northwest Native American oral legends and melding it with some magic to create a mythical story all its own. In this book, Cloud is a bear-girl, and she sheds her bear mask around age 13 to become a human girl. She has no idea how she came to be a girl, but she happens to be an important one, daughter of Thrush, the queen. The evil king Rumble wants her dead, though, because Cloud’s biological father was also a bear. Rumble killed Lord Stink (Cloud’s father) and has been using his power ever since. Fleeing from Ruble and Bone the evil magician, she seeks to find a solution to her disturbing dreams which involve her bear father and bear brothers. Cloud is confused about her true nature and after losing her new-found uncle Otter while taking a first attempt at the bones, she is taken as a slave by war-like southerners.
Stalked by spirits, Cloud is able to escape and stumbles upon some shape shifting first ones, in the form of orca/humans. There she meets Queen Foam and her son, Blackfin. This was a very cool story, a little long and involved at times. It was a must-read for people who enjoy Native American folklore.
( )

Full review located at http://paganbookreviews.com/2009/09/23/bear-daughter-by-judith-berman/

At the age of 12, Cloud the bear turns into a girl. Now she has to learn how to walk and dress and eat as a human, not to ask many questions, and all the other customs of her tribe. Still trying to find her place in a human society, her dead brothers start to haunt her in her dreams, and her stepfather longs to kill her. This is the start of a rollercoaster ride through the material and the spirit world, with Cloud struggling to gain control of the journey.

A great book, although there are some horrific elements, like that spirit of a drowned woman, or somebody eating human eyes.

If you like Bear Daughter, you might also be interested in Spirit of the Rainforest, the biography of a Yanomamö shaman. ( )

This is a fabulous coming-of-age novel that mixes Native American myth, folklore and fantasy. It's a bit of a quest novel featuring a young woman who has changed from a bear to a human at puberty (and wrestles continually with that change). Couldn't help but think that Joseph Campbell might've enjoyed this novel:-) It's one of those YA/Adult crossover novels... ( )