Jamestown [Paperback]

A group of settlers (more like survivors) arrive in Virginia from the ravished island of Manhattan, intending to establish an outpost, find oil, and exploit the Indians controlling the area. But nothing goes quite as planned (one settler, for instance, keeps losing body parts). At the heart of the story is Pocahontas, who speaks Valley Girl, Ebonics, Old English, and Algonquinsometimes all in the same sentence. And she pursues a heated romance with settler Johnny Rolfe via text messaging, instant messaging, and, ultimately, telepathy.

Deadly serious and seriously funny, Matthew Sharpes fictional retelling of one of America's original myths is a history of violence, a cross-cultural love story, and a tragicomic commentary on Americas past and present.

PRAISE FORJAMESTOWN

A work of hectic brilliance and immense sadness. Laura Miller,Salon

Sharpe's wit relies primarily on the juxtaposition of profundity and silliness, tragedy and absurdity, a kind ofCatch-22about the 17th century for the 21st century. Jamestown is packed with marvelous material, moving and funny and deeply provocative. The Washington Post Book World