Museum of Human Beings: A Novel

By Colin Sargent

From deprivation in the wilderness to the lavish courts of European nobility, this poignant historical novel explores the life and quest of Jean-Baptiste Charbonneau, the son of Sacagawea. After the famed Lewis and Clark expedition and the death of his mother, Jean-Baptiste was brought up as Clark's foster son. He was eventually paraded throughout Europe as a curiosity from the wilds of America, labeled as a half-gentleman and half-animal, entertaining nobility as a concert pianist. Later, Jean-Baptiste returns to North America with a burning desire to create his own place in the New World. In doing so, he returns to the heart of the American wilderness on an epic quest for ultimate identity that brings sacrifice, loss, and the distant promise of redemption.

• Language: English
• Publisher: RowmanLittlefield
• Release date: Dec 1, 2008
• ISBN: 9781590131985

Book preview

Reviews for Museum of Human Beings

[jlelliott_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Early in American history there was a time when racial lines were not nearly as solidly drawn as the stereotypes which haunt the country to this day. Native Americans, Asians, blacks, whites, and children of every combination of mixed heritage struggled to define their roles in a land in flux, a land they all felt a claim to. Colin Sargent has explored this state of yearning and confusion in the life of Jean-Baptiste Charbonneau, the son of the illustrious Sacagawea. Jean-Baptiste is not only one of the last inheritors of his mother’s traditions, but he is also the illegitimate son of William Clark. He is the conflict between Europe and Native America, old world and new, embodied in human form. Museum of Human Beings is the fictionalized story of his life, from his flirtation with the culture of old Europe to his retreat to the American wilderness, always trying to find himself among the disparity of his inheritances. This is clearly a promising premise, and the writing and characterization of this first novel largely do justice to it. The plot and construction of the novel are weaker. Jean-Baptiste’s life is presented in fits and jumps, and it is unclear why certain episodes are emphasized, while there is no harmony in the structure of the novel. The narration is emotionally distant, with Jean-Baptiste’s travels presented in a far-away panorama, never approaching too close to his heart. Despite these flaws the pathos of Jean-Baptiste’s situation is clear. I also found my interest in this time in American history stoked, surely a good side-effect of any historical novel. I feel that the novel could have benefited from some thoughtful editing and restructuring, but anyone with an interest in early American history or the ambiguity of race will be likely to enjoy the read.

[oregonreader · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In Museum of Human Beings, Colin Sargent follows the life of Jean-Baptiste Charbonneau, the son of Sacagawea, from his early childhood with the Lewis & Clark Expedition to his death. Born to an Indian mother and her French captor, he is taken as a foster child by Clark and raised at his home. There he catches the eye of a visiting Duke and is taken to Europe. Why he agrees to go with Duke Paul and to put up with being treated as a savage introduces the core of the book. The narrator focuses on Baptiste's search for who he is and where he fits in his world. The story follows the actual travels of Baptiste and Sargent does an amazing job of creating a fascinating interior life for the man. Very well done.

[mariah2_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The “Museum of Human Beings” written by Colin Sargent, is a fictionalized accounting of Jean-Baptiste Charbonneau’s life. He was the infant that is depicted on the Sacagawea golden dollar coins, and was the son of Sacagawea and Toussaint Charbonneau. There were some clever features to this book such as the description of signs from the Native American sign language at the beginning of each chapter. The signs give an added dimension to each chapter, and are a fitting and entertaining reminder as to who the story is about. There were two journeys described in this book, one being the Lewis and Clark expedition and the other being Jean-Baptiste’s journey of self discovery. During his voyage to Europe, a powerful revelation is provided about Jean-Baptiste. “He forgot his mother, and he knew Clark had forgotten him. He began to steal from himself” (pg. 60). It is very clear that the reader will witness the psychological destruction of this character, not only by his benefactor, but by himself. Even though Jean-Baptiste was provided an excellent education, he paid a very heavy price for it. I did have a difficult time relating to the characters in this book, especially Jean-Baptiste, and at times believed that the author should have given us a little more insight into his thoughts. Readers are provided with snippets and at times powerful insights from this character; however, considering the complex and serious issues faced by him, the scarcity of insights occasionally creates an uncomfortable disconnect from this character. This being my only complaint with the book, I thought over all it was very well written. The “Museum of Human Beings” painted a interesting picture of what life may have been like on the American frontier in the 1800s for European Americans and Native Americans, and it left me wanting to learn more about this period of history.

[aliciamay_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Although I thought this book was well written and the topic matter is very interesting to me, I had a hard time reading this book. The story did not engage me enough to make this a truly enjoyable read. Although I did like how it followed the history of a person you hear so little about and I thought the author was very creative with weaving fiction and non-fiction. There were many parts of the book that shocked me and I am curious as to whether they are true or not. The author had some very interesting anecdotes about life in this time period, but again, I can't be sure how much is true. One thing that I still don't understand is why Clark would take a person into his home and put an effort into raising him, but at the same time treat the child as sub human and pawn him off as soon was prudent. It seems that this complex relationship effected Jean Baptiste in such a way that he hardly had a chance to have a happy or normal life.

[carlar_82074 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book had a lot of promise and I went into it with a gusto. I was disappointed that I was not able to get into the characters, they lacked depth. I appreciated the story but was looking for more and this book did not give it to me.

[mckait · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I enjoy historical fiction. A speculative story of Sacagawea's son sounded like a very good read. I read every page, waiting to be drawn into the story. It was not to be.I felt that the writing was choppy and disjointed. Several times I felt as if I missed something, but rereading did not enlighten me. The characters were two dimensional and vague. There were many points where this story could have taken off, and become interesting. That never happened either. Just at the point where one could be drawn in, another tangent appeared.Baptiste himself was more fully fleshed out than other characters, perhaps due to the fact that he appeared throughout the story. Still, he never became "real" to me. I am sorry to say that I would not recommend this book to a friend.

[meltedfrootloops · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Really interesting book. I have always been interested in Native american history and studies and it was an interesting read. Historical fiction is always a fascinating genre of book to read . No one ever knows the full story behind the topics, but the fiction gives us interesting speculation. Characters could have been a little more developed, but otherwise, an interesting read!

[mmignano11 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

"Museum of Human Beings" intrigued me with it's title and the premise of the debut novel. Jean-Baptiste is the son of Sacagawea and subsequently fostered by "Father" William Clark of the famed Lewis and Clark Expedition, after her death. Although he ultimately discovers the identity of his "real" father, Baptiste struggles with where and how to place his affections. The novel traces his search for identity and his place in the world. The story is unique and its list of characters unusual, making Baptiste's life unlike most people born of a mixed-blood relationship. Baptiste mourns the loss of his mother so early in his life, and ends up dreading the relationship awaiting him with his real father, made possible only by rejecting his foster father. Another struggle that permeates the novel is that of Baptiste and the rest of the world. With Baptiste's connection to famous white men and yet not really being one of them, he feels alone. Sargent's novel, in other reviews, has been called disjointed and choppy. I wonder if that was done purposefully. Baptiste goes from one experience to another, not quite understanding how he should perceive them, through which eyes. There are many characters that show up briefly and appear undeveloped but in life we don't get the opportunity to know everybody we meet thoroughly, and they often pass through our lives without our getting to know them. I see this as the way that Sargent shows us Baptiste train of thought, the way he tries to understand how everybody affects him or views him. I enjoyed the novel but did feel the sense of disjointedness that have been noted by others. Having noted that, I applaud Sargent for the creative voice that makes "Museum" a uniquely energetic exploration of the time period and the unusual circumstances of Baptiste's life. The "Museum" refers to the museum of stuffed animals and samples of plants, etc, that the Lewis and Clark expedition bring home with them. But also, I think, it refers to how Baptiste feels about his place in the world, and how he is viewed by humans as a museum piece, and while prized, not actually one of them. I would say that I enjoyed reading this novel and found it quite unusual. An author that is able to come up with an approach that is different should be commended since there are so many writers that do not stand out. So while Sargent's writing may have benefited from some good editing, I think, for the most part, the novel was entertaining, unusual and thought-provoking, three important points I value when I choose to read an author. I would pick up another book by Sargent. My advice-keep writing!

[enyaj2002 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Colin Sargent's “The Museum of Human Beings” imagines the life and struggles of Jean-Baptiste Charbonneau, the son of Sacagawea and a French-Canadian fur trader, from the time when he was an infant riding on Sacagawea's back as she served as guide to Lewis and Clark, to his travels in Europe, and then back to the American wilderness. Baptiste is a person grappling with opposing forces within himself: Native American and European, the natural world and civilization. He is part of many different circles, but always on the periphery; someone that many people know of and prize but to whom few can relate. The loss of his mother very early in life, the uncertainty regarding his father, the death of his son and lover are also disruptive forces in his life that he strives to reconcile. Sargent's prose are so evocative and engaging, from his descriptions of the landscapes of the American West and cityscapes of Europe, to the inner conflicts within Baptiste himself as he searches for his identity and for the place where he fits in. A very enjoyable read.