John's Pond

Book Cover

DRAMA HISTORICAL FICTION ROMANCE ACTION ADVENTURE

1960s & '70s

Donna Lynch

TaleFlick Top Pick!

  • -
  • Views

Logline

John's Pond is a story of a young Wampanoag man and white girl from opposite sides of town who seek acceptance in their hostile village.

Genre

Drama, Historical Fiction, Romance, Action, Adventure,

Short Summary

Tobin, a Wampanoag man is shot by a local cop in his town. Six months earlier, in Boston Federal Court Tobin is captivated by a beautiful white girl seated across the room. Their relationship develops amid controversy and prejudice on both sides.

Setting

Mashpee, Massachusetts (Cape Cod)

Based on a True Story

No

Plot - Premise

,Loving amid hatred & Prejudice

Plot - Other Elements

Meaningful Message, Twist, Happy Ending

Mature Audience Themes

Extreme Violence

Main Character Details

Name: Tobin Horvarth

Age: 20

Gender: Male

Role: Protagonist

Key Traits: Educated, Aggressive, Aspiring, Honorable, Leader, Confident, Adventurous, Heroic, Engaging, Faithful, Obedient

Additional Character Details

Name: Laurie Matthews

Age: 18

Gender: Female

Role: Protagonist

Key Traits: Aspiring, Adventurous, Confident, Faithful, Empathetic, Educated

Additional Character Details

The author has not yet written this

Additional Character Details

The author has not yet written this

About The Author

Target Audiences

Age: 18-34

Target Gender: Universal

Group Specific

Information not completed

Publishing Details

Status: Yes: self-published

Year Published: 2015

Hard Copy Available

No

ISBN

Information not completed

Genre

DRAMA, ROMANCE

Brief

Tobin is a young Native American boy who has had a few run ins with the law. His tribe is continually harassed by police and are generally unaccepted by the locals. He meets Laurie and falls in love with her. There town is unwelcoming to the native tribe, but Laurie and Tobin's love prevails.

Overall Rating

GOOD

Point of View

THIRD PERSON

Narrative Elements

Authors Writing Style: EXCELLENT

Characterization: GOOD

Commerciality: EXCELLENT

Franchise Potential: GOOD

Pace: EXCELLENT

Premise: EXCELLENT

Structure: EXCELLENT

Theme: EXCELLENT

Accuracy of Book Profile

Yes, the book profile accurately reflects the book.

Draw of Story

The book begins with a major event in the story; Tobin's encounter with the police, ending with him being shot. There is also a trial occurring over the land that rightfully belongs to the Wampanoag tribe. There are few stories that show the point of view of a modern Native American tribe fighting against progress by white Americans. It was interesting and unique.

Possible Drawbacks

The book emphasizes the trial over the Wampanoag people needing to prove they are a tribe to then prove the land belongs to them. That storyline was more interesting than Tobin and Laurie falling in love. It turned into a typical romance with a hint of cultural strife. If the love story became secondary to the trial and instead, examined the tribe and its' relationship to the other townsfolks, it would be a more interesting film.

Use of Special Effects

THE STORY DOES NOT RELY ON SPECIAL EFFECTS

Primary Hook of Story

The hook is that a young Wampanoag boy falls for a local girl. I would watch this film for the Native American element. There are few films that place Native Americans as the main characters. I also believe the narrative surrounding native people is important and should be brought to light, correctly.

Fanbase Potential

This could have a large fanbase as a period romance drama. It also tackles social issues but has a happy ending.

Awards Potential

This does have awards potential if there were more focus on the tribe and the trial. Tobin gets arrested for standing up for his rights and people, ending up in jail. There are many dramatic events that could be given more gravity that would give this awards potential. The romance would need to accompany the other events instead of taking precedence.

Envisioned Budget

MEDIUM BUDGET

Similar Films/TV Series

THE NOTEBOOK, GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER, BELLE

What’s New About the Story

The story is original because it sheds light on the problems facing native communities. There lands are being taken for the sake of progress. It could be more unique if it focused on the trial that would help determine if the tribe kept their lands.

Lead Characters

The lead characters stands out because he isn't afraid to speak up for his people. He knows the injustices occurring, but he doesn't accept it quietly. He is shot for this very reason.

Uniqueness of Story

This is not a rare gem but does have elements that make it unique and welcoming, especially at this time. The call for representation is growing and that conversation does not always include the native people of the world. It is important that there story is also heard.

Possible Formats

Film - Indie, Film - Streaming, Film - Studio, TV Series - Cable, TV Series - Network, TV Series - Streaming

Analyst Recommendation

RECOMMEND

Justification

This is a recommend because stories involving native people and their struggles need to be told. The structure of the story is familiar to audiences but this would expose the problems native cultures face. There is also a sweet romance that reinforces that humans are all the same, and that love is love.