Broken Wheels, Broken Dreams

The May family, led by Naomi, sets out on the Oregon Trail, full of hope and burdened by loss. Naomi, already a widow, is the heart of her family, caring for her mother, brothers, and newborn baby Wolfe. The trail is harsh, and the family's wagon breaks, forcing them to fall behind the main train. As they struggle to repair the wheel, they are attacked by a band of Native warriors. In the chaos, Naomi's father and brother are killed, and she and baby Wolfe are taken captive. The violence and suddenness of the attack shatter Naomi's world, leaving her numb, traumatized, and separated from everything she loves. The broken wheel becomes a symbol of their broken dreams and the perilous journey ahead.

Two Worlds, One Heart

John Lowry, a man of mixed Pawnee and white heritage, lives between two worlds, never fully belonging to either. Raised by his white father and stepmother, Jennie, John is a skilled mule breeder and guide, but he carries the pain of rejection and the longing for acceptance. His encounter with Naomi in St. Joseph, Missouri, is electric—she is vibrant, curious, and unafraid to meet his gaze. Their connection is immediate, but John's guarded heart and outsider status make him wary. As the wagon train prepares to depart, John's internal struggle between his Pawnee roots and white upbringing shapes his every decision, foreshadowing the challenges he and Naomi will face as their paths intertwine.

The Crossing and the Meeting

The May family and John's paths cross again as the wagon train fords the Missouri River. Naomi's family, anxious and eager, follows John's advice to take a safer crossing, cementing a bond of trust. On the trail, John becomes a quiet protector, especially to Naomi's younger brothers, who idolize him. Naomi and John's mutual attraction grows, but both are haunted by past losses and the uncertainty of the journey. The crossing is both literal and symbolic—a passage into the unknown, where alliances are forged, and destinies are set in motion. The vastness of the land mirrors the emotional distance each must cross to find belonging and love.

River of Sorrow

As the train follows the Big Blue and Little Blue rivers, cholera strikes, claiming lives and sowing fear. Naomi's mother gives birth to baby Wolfe amid the chaos, but joy is short-lived as her sister-in-law Abigail succumbs to illness. The relentless march of death forces the travelers to confront their vulnerability. Naomi's resilience is tested as she cares for her grieving brother and newborn sibling, while John, too, is struck down by sickness. Their shared suffering draws them closer, but the river becomes a symbol of sorrow, carrying away loved ones and innocence. The journey hardens them, forging a bond through shared loss.

The Big Blue Divide

Despite the ever-present threat of death, Naomi and John's relationship deepens. Naomi's candid nature and artistic spirit draw John out of his shell, while his quiet strength anchors her. They share stolen moments, confessions, and a passionate kiss that marks a turning point. Yet, societal expectations, grief, and John's fear of not belonging keep them apart. The Big Blue River, once a barrier, becomes a place of connection and vulnerability. Their love is a fragile hope in a world that offers little comfort, and both must decide if they can risk their hearts again.

Love and Loss on the Plains

The wagon train faces relentless challenges: storms, broken wagons, and dwindling supplies. Naomi's family is further diminished by tragedy, and John's mules are stolen, likely by a jealous rival. The loss of the animals threatens John's livelihood and the safety of the group. Wyatt, Naomi's brother, helps John recover the mules in a tense encounter with a Pawnee band, but the cost is high—John must trade his beloved horse. The episode cements the bond between John and the Mays, but also underscores the precariousness of life on the trail. Every gain is shadowed by loss, and survival demands sacrifice.

The Plague and the Promise

As cholera continues to claim victims, the travelers are forced to leave behind the dead and press on. Naomi and John's love is tested by the constant presence of mortality. When John falls ill, Naomi nurses him back to health, refusing to let him slip away. Their promise to each other—to endure, to love, to hope—becomes a lifeline. The birth of baby Wolfe is a rare moment of joy, but the promise of new life is always threatened by the specter of death. The journey west is as much about surviving grief as it is about reaching a destination.

The Gathering Storm

The train encounters various Native tribes, some friendly, others wary or hostile. Naomi's artistic talent becomes a bridge, as she paints portraits for both emigrants and Native people, earning respect and gifts. Yet, tensions simmer beneath the surface, and the threat of violence is never far. John's dual heritage allows him to navigate these encounters, but he is always aware of his outsider status. The travelers reach Fort Laramie and Fort Bridger, where Naomi and John finally marry in a hard-won moment of happiness. But the storm is gathering—jealousy, prejudice, and the harsh realities of the land threaten to tear everything apart.

Blood and Ashes

As the train splits and the Mays fall behind to repair a wagon, they are ambushed by a band of Shoshoni led by Pocatello. In a brutal attack, Naomi's parents and brother are killed, and she and baby Wolfe are taken captive. The wagons are burned, and the survivors are left traumatized. John, returning to find the aftermath, is devastated but determined to rescue Naomi. The land is littered with blood and ashes, the cost of survival laid bare. The attack is not just a personal tragedy but a reflection of the larger conflicts and misunderstandings between cultures on the frontier.

Taken and Traded

Naomi endures the horrors of captivity: violence, humiliation, and the constant threat of being traded or killed. She clings to her memories, her art, and her love for Wolfe as lifelines. Beeya, an elder woman, becomes both captor and protector, teaching Naomi to survive. Naomi's artistic gift is exploited, but it also gives her a sense of agency. Meanwhile, John allies with Chief Washakie, using his language skills and connections to track Naomi. The journey becomes a test of endurance, identity, and the will to survive. Both Naomi and John must navigate the complexities of loyalty, love, and cultural collision.

The Longest Winter

Naomi is eventually ransomed in a tense council, but the cost is unbearable—she must leave Wolfe behind, adopted by another family as payment for a life lost in the attack. Grief-stricken, Naomi and John find refuge with Washakie's band, enduring a harsh winter in the Wind River Valley. The season is one of healing and reckoning. Naomi's art becomes a way to process trauma, and John's connection to the tribe deepens. Together, they learn to forgive themselves and each other, finding moments of peace amid sorrow. The winter is both a physical and emotional crucible, shaping their future.

Tracks in the Snow

As spring approaches, Naomi and John prepare to leave the tribe and search for Naomi's surviving brothers. Before they go, Wolfe dies of illness, and his adoptive mother, Weda, returns him to Naomi for burial. In her grief, Naomi sees tracks in the snow—her mother's spirit coming to guide Wolfe home. The moment is transcendent, offering comfort and closure. Naomi realizes that some losses cannot be undone, but love endures beyond death. The tracks in the snow become a symbol of hope, forgiveness, and the possibility of finding home again.

The Return and Reunion

Naomi and John journey west, following the trail of Naomi's brothers. In California, they are reunited in a tearful, joyous embrace. The surviving Mays have endured their own hardships but have held onto hope. Together, they build a new life, starting a mule-breeding business and forging a family from the ashes of loss. The reunion is bittersweet—marked by absence and memory—but it is also a testament to resilience and the power of love. The family's survival is not just physical but emotional, a triumph over the forces that sought to destroy them.

The Price of Survival

As Naomi and John settle into their new life, they are haunted by the past. The trauma of violence, captivity, and loss lingers, shaping their relationships and sense of self. John struggles with his dual identity, while Naomi grapples with survivor's guilt and the pain of leaving Wolfe behind. Together, they learn that survival comes at a price—one that includes forgiveness, acceptance, and the willingness to move forward. Their love is both a refuge and a reminder of what they have lost, but it is also the foundation for a new beginning.

The Valley of Partings

The family's journey is marked by continual partings—of loved ones, of innocence, of the world they once knew. Naomi and John return to the site of the massacre, tending the graves and honoring the dead. They visit Washakie and the Shoshoni, maintaining ties to the people and places that shaped them. The valley becomes a place of memory and healing, a reminder that life is a series of farewells and reunions. The act of letting go is not an erasure but an act of love, making space for what comes next.

The Dream and the Vision

Washakie shares his prophetic vision with Naomi, who paints it on elk skin—a tapestry of past, present, and future. The vision is one of unity, where red and blue blood flow together, and peace is chosen over war. Naomi's art becomes a bridge between worlds, a testament to the possibility of transcendence. The dream is not just Washakie's but the hope of all who have suffered and survived. It is a call to rise above hatred, to find meaning in pain, and to believe in a future where love endures.

Forgiveness and Farewell

As the years pass, Naomi and John build a life together, raising children and honoring the memory of those they lost. They visit Washakie, maintain ties with the Shoshoni, and teach their children the value of compassion and resilience. The wounds of the past never fully heal, but forgiveness—of themselves, of others, of fate—allows them to move forward. Farewells are softened by the knowledge that love connects all things, and that every ending is also a beginning. Their story becomes a legacy of hope for future generations.

The Road Home

Naomi reflects on the journey that brought her from the plains of Illinois to the valleys of California and Utah. The road was marked by suffering, loss, and transformation, but also by love, courage, and the search for home. The story ends not with a final destination, but with the promise of new journeys—of children born, of families reunited, of dreams carried forward. The road home is not a place, but a state of being—found in the hearts of those who choose to love, forgive, and endure.

Characters

Naomi May

Naomi is the emotional and moral center of the story—a young widow, daughter, sister, and artist whose journey west is marked by loss, love, and transformation. Her fierce loyalty to family and her refusal to be broken by tragedy define her. Naomi's art is both her solace and her voice, allowing her to connect across cultures and process trauma. Her relationship with John Lowry is a slow-burning, deeply felt love that challenges her to confront her own pain and prejudices. Naomi's captivity and the loss of her family force her to reckon with her identity, faith, and capacity for forgiveness. She emerges as a survivor, not unscarred, but unbroken, embodying the hope that love and art can transcend even the darkest circumstances.

John Lowry

John is a man caught between worlds—Pawnee and white, insider and outsider. His mixed heritage shapes his sense of self and his relationships, especially with his father, Jennie, and the wider world. John's skills as a mule breeder and guide make him invaluable on the trail, but it is his quiet strength, loyalty, and capacity for love that define him. His relationship with Naomi is transformative, forcing him to confront his fears of rejection and his longing for belonging. John's journey is one of self-acceptance, as he learns to honor both sides of his heritage and to forgive himself for what he cannot control. His love for Naomi and his willingness to risk everything for her are the anchors of his character.

Winifred May (Ma)

Naomi's mother is a pillar of strength, faith, and intuition. Her dreams and visions guide the family, offering comfort and warning. Winifred's resilience in the face of hardship, her nurturing of her children, and her acceptance of loss make her a model of maternal love. Her death is a devastating blow, but her influence endures, shaping Naomi's choices and understanding of transcendence. Winifred's belief in the power of acceptance and her ability to find hope in suffering are central to the novel's themes.

Wolfe May

Born on the trail, Wolfe is both a source of hope and a symbol of the cost of survival. His abduction and eventual death are the emotional fulcrum of the story, forcing Naomi to confront the limits of her power and the necessity of letting go. Wolfe's presence binds the family together, and his loss is both a wound and a release, allowing Naomi to move forward. He represents the innocence lost on the frontier and the enduring bond between the living and the dead.

Wyatt, Will, and Webb May

Naomi's younger brothers each embody different aspects of resilience and vulnerability. Wyatt is the emerging leader, forced to grow up too soon; Will is sensitive and burdened by guilt; Webb is the youngest, clinging to innocence and dreams. Their survival after the massacre and eventual reunion with Naomi and John are testaments to the power of family and the will to endure. Their psychological scars are deep, but their love for each other and for Naomi is unwavering.

Beeya (Magwich's Mother)

Beeya is both a captor and a caretaker to Naomi during her captivity. Her motivations are complex—rooted in cultural norms, survival, and perhaps a recognition of shared suffering. She teaches Naomi to adapt, but also participates in her subjugation. Beeya's relationship with Naomi is fraught, reflecting the blurred lines between victim and perpetrator, compassion and complicity. She is a reminder of the ways women navigate power and powerlessness in a violent world.

Magwich

Magwich is one of Naomi's captors and eventual abuser. He is driven by anger, loss, and a desire for power. His actions are brutal, and he becomes the focus of Naomi's and John's rage and need for justice. Magwich's death at John's hands is both a moment of catharsis and a reminder of the cycle of violence that haunts the frontier. He is a symbol of the darkness that can consume individuals and communities.

Chief Washakie

Washakie is a historical figure rendered with depth and nuance. He is a visionary chief, committed to the survival of his people and the pursuit of peace. His relationship with John and Naomi is one of mutual respect and alliance. Washakie's prophetic vision of unity and his willingness to help Naomi and John, even at personal risk, make him a moral anchor in the story. He embodies the possibility of transcendence and the hope for reconciliation between cultures.

Hanabi

Hanabi, Washakie's wife, is a gentle, nurturing presence who helps Naomi adapt to life among the Shoshoni. Her own story of loss and return mirrors Naomi's, and her compassion provides comfort and guidance. Hanabi's role as a mother, friend, and cultural bridge is vital to Naomi's healing and understanding of the world she inhabits.

Lost Woman

Lost Woman, Washakie's mother, is a figure of wisdom, grief, and endurance. She has lost much but continues to care for those around her. Her belief in the presence of spirits and her ability to find meaning in suffering offer Naomi a model for survival. Lost Woman's guidance helps Naomi process her grief and find a way forward, embodying the novel's themes of memory, loss, and the search for home.

Plot Devices

Dual Narrative Structure

The novel alternates between Naomi's and John's points of view, allowing readers to experience the journey from both a woman's and a man's perspective, as well as from inside and outside the dominant culture. This structure creates intimacy, tension, and a fuller understanding of the psychological and cultural stakes. The dual narrative also allows for foreshadowing and dramatic irony, as each character's knowledge and experience inform the reader's understanding of events.

Symbolism of Art and Dreams

Naomi's art is a recurring motif, symbolizing her voice, agency, and ability to connect across cultural divides. Her drawings are both a means of survival and a way to process trauma. Winifred's dreams and Washakie's visions serve as foreshadowing and thematic anchors, suggesting that the boundaries between worlds—past and future, white and Native, life and death—are permeable. These symbols reinforce the novel's exploration of transcendence and the search for meaning.

The Journey as Transformation

The westward journey is both literal and metaphorical—a passage from innocence to experience, from loss to love, from division to unity. The hardships of the trail, the violence endured, and the landscapes traversed all serve as catalysts for character development. The journey's cyclical nature—marked by partings and reunions, deaths and births—underscores the themes of endurance, adaptation, and the search for home.

Foreshadowing and Repetition

The novel uses foreshadowing through dreams, visions, and repeated motifs (broken wheels, tracks in the snow, the act of crossing rivers) to suggest that history is both inescapable and open to change. The repetition of loss and survival, of love found and lost, creates a sense of inevitability but also highlights the power of individual choice and resilience.

Council and Negotiation Scenes

Key plot points hinge on councils—whether among the emigrants, the Shoshoni, or between the two. These scenes dramatize the difficulty of communication, the importance of mediation, and the tragic consequences of misunderstanding. They also allow for moments of grace, as when Washakie intervenes to save Naomi, or when Naomi's art becomes a tool for peace.

Analysis

Where the Lost Wander is a sweeping, emotionally charged exploration of the American frontier, reframing the westward migration as both a physical ordeal and a crucible of identity, love, and loss. Amy Harmon's novel interrogates the myth of manifest destiny, exposing the violence, prejudice, and suffering that underpinned the expansion west, while also honoring the resilience and humanity of those who endured it. Through the dual perspectives of Naomi and John, the story delves into the psychological toll of trauma, the complexities of cultural collision, and the redemptive power of love and art. The novel's use of dreams, visions, and art as bridges between worlds suggests that healing and transcendence are possible, but only through acceptance, forgiveness, and the willingness to see beyond difference. Ultimately, Where the Lost Wander is a meditation on the meaning of home—not as a place, but as a state of belonging found in the hearts of those who choose to love, endure, and forgive. Its lessons are timeless: that survival comes at a price, that grief and joy are inseparable, and that the only way forward is together, across the broken ground of the past.

Last updated: September 27, 2025