Cooper's Pioneers

[vandaml1]

I'd like to have my 11th grader read a sample chapter - not the whole novel - any suggestions re. which is the best one that portrays Natty Bumppo as hero?

[mtpspur]

If you want Natty Bumpo as the hero in the forefront of the book--try The Deerslayer or Last of the Mohicans. Last written but first in chronology Derslayer protrays Natty at the beginning of his career just starting out. Pathfinder and Pioneers are just plain S-L-O-W with The Praire the end of his career at approx age 70/80 something. Last of the Mohicans spreads itself over a group of characters but Deerslayer has a smaller cast with diversity of characters and the heroine actually has a personality--toom bad Natty was too moraaly high ground for her (very slight and carfully written hints that she was a little free with the local officers) but she comes thru in a pinch.