Argall

About “Argall”

"Argall" is a historical novel by William T. Vollmann that explores the lives of John Smith and Pocahontas, focusing on the events surrounding the early English settlement at Jamestown. The book alternates between Elizabethan language and realistic storytelling to uncover the truths behind the legends. It includes characters such as Pocahontas's father, Powhatan, and her uncle Opechancanough, as well as John Smith's patron and other figures involved in the Jamestown colony. The novel also features Captain Samuel Argall, who plays a key role in Pocahontas's life, including her kidnapping and the introduction of slavery to North America. Vollmann's work delves into the betrayals and conflicts between the English and Native Americans.