The Heart of the Desert (Kut-Le of the Desert)

"The Heart of the Desert (Kut-Le of the Desert)" by Honoré Willsie is a story set in the early 1900's. It tells of Rhoda Tuttle, a young woman who is not well, and Charley Cartwell, an Indian engineer, that she meets following a scorpion sting in the desert. The story looks at race, culture, and love as Rhoda deals with her connection with Cartwell, while dealing with her health and the thoughts of people around her. The start of the book shows Rhoda in the desert and her weakness as she deals with an injured foot. Charley Cartwell helps her, but his background causes issues. Rhoda's experiences show her connections with others, like DeWitt, and the opinions that make her relationship with Cartwell hard. This look at Rhoda shows a story about identity, getting better, and love across cultural lines.