More Brothers and Sisters Than Blood
Agents arrive to forcibly pick up two native boys to whisk them away to an Indian boarding school. There is a confrontation with the family, an old man's sacred pipe is broken, and the boys are sent by their mother to run away. Eleven-year-old Levi is determined to replace his grandfather's pipe and protect his six-year-old brother, Rueben, whom he describes as "other-minded." The grandfather explains that the Creator endowed Rueben with "a different understanding," emphasizing that while Levi can adapt to the boarding school's teachings, Rueben must remain untainted. The family believes it is crucial to "learn what the Creator wants from Rueben."
Along their journey, the boys encounter a diverse cast of characters who are more than mere supporting players. Throughout the narrative, these individuals become fully developed, each destined to play a pivotal role in shaping the boys' paths, chosen by the Creator for this purpose. We are granted insight into their lives, their aspirations, and their hardships. The narrative features both Native and White people, and we witness how their respective backgrounds influence their perspectives.
"Lone Dog Road" spans 504 pages, translating to more than fifteen hours on audio, but none of it is wasted. It was a joy to journey alongside this ensemble as they seek redemption in lives that have lacked direction.
Over the past few years, I have read many books about the Native American experience, seeking to better understand and appreciate their cultures. My journey began with Tony Hillerman's Leaphorn-Chee novels. It was only later that I ran into the question of how appropriate it was for a non-Native writer to tell the story. While some in the Navajo community praised Hillerman, others criticized him for misrepresentation. His characters have recently been adapted into the "Dark Winds" series, now produced by Native artists.
In "Lone Dog Road," Ken Nerburn, a non-Native author, demonstrates a profound understanding of Native American culture, a testament to extensive research. Nerburn faced significant challenges in getting the book published, noting that "the big publishers ran from it because it has the mark of Cain upon it: A white man writing about Indians." Despite this, the writings have garnered substantial support within the Native community, including endorsements from Leonard Peltier and Louise Erdrich.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Agents arrive to forcibly pick up two native boys to whisk them away to an Indian boarding school. There is a confrontation with the family, an old man's sacred pipe is broken, and the boys are sent by their mother to run away. Eleven-year-old Levi is determined to replace his grandfather's pipe and protect his six-year-old brother, Rueben, whom he describes as "other-minded." The grandfather explains that the Creator endowed Rueben with "a different understanding," emphasizing that while Levi can adapt to the boarding school's teachings, Rueben must remain untainted. The family believes it is crucial to "learn what the Creator wants from Rueben."
Along their journey, the boys encounter a diverse cast of characters who are more than mere supporting players. Throughout the narrative, these individuals become fully developed, each destined to play a pivotal role in shaping the boys' paths, chosen by the Creator for this purpose. We are granted insight into their lives, their aspirations, and their hardships. The narrative features both Native and White people, and we witness how their respective backgrounds influence their perspectives.
"Lone Dog Road" spans 504 pages, translating to more than fifteen hours on audio, but none of it is wasted. It was a joy to journey alongside this ensemble as they seek redemption in lives that have lacked direction.
Over the past few years, I have read many books about the Native American experience, seeking to better understand and appreciate their cultures. My journey began with Tony Hillerman's Leaphorn-Chee novels. It was only later that I ran into the question of how appropriate it was for a non-Native writer to tell the story. While some in the Navajo community praised Hillerman, others criticized him for misrepresentation. His characters have recently been adapted into the "Dark Winds" series, now produced by Native artists.
In "Lone Dog Road," Ken Nerburn, a non-Native author, demonstrates a profound understanding of Native American culture, a testament to extensive research. Nerburn faced significant challenges in getting the book published, noting that "the big publishers ran from it because it has the mark of Cain upon it: A white man writing about Indians." Despite this, the writings have garnered substantial support within the Native community, including endorsements from Leonard Peltier and Louise Erdrich.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
