Occoneechee, the Maid of the Mystic Lake

"Occoneechee, the Maid of the Mystic Lake" by Robert Frank Jarrett, is a historical poetic novel that explores the life of Occoneechee, a Cherokee maiden, alongside her father Junaluska, and the warrior Whippoorwill. It reveals the themes of love against the backdrop of loss, and the cultural inheritance of the Cherokee Nation, deeply rooted in their natural surroundings and battles against intrusive forces. The story introduces us to the Cherokee Nation's historical and cultural setting using prose and poetry where the reader will learn of the unforgettable Appalachian landscape and a sorrow overcoming the Cherokee because of displacement. The strong connection of Occoneechee and her father is revealed, with an emphasis on the family ties and the past legends that have molded their lives in the setting of a shrinking world. Occoneechee is longing for her lost love, Whippoorwill, which starts a journey with both natural beauty and human suffering.