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catapocalypse's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Another great Leslie Marmon Silko novel! Much like her others, this book focuses on the interaction and clash between native cultures and European ones. It starts at a fairly slow pace, and gradually builds up to a fast-paced ending.
The story takes place at the turn of the 20th century, and primarily follows the Sand Lizard girls, Indigo and Sister Salt, as well as the white woman, Hattie. After the authorities raid their encampment, the girls' family is scattered, and when they try to reconcile, they're captured and separated further. Indigo escapes the Indian boarding school she's sent to and winds up taken in by Hattie and her husband Edward. Before she can try once again to reunite with her family, Indigo is taken along on the couple's trip to Europe, where she and Hattie both learn a lot from new friends and old histories.
Just as in her older novels, Leslie Marmon Silko expertly renders multiple and very different points of view, contrasting the different relationships they have with nature, family, strangers, history, etc. The book focuses largely on these broader ideas, especially on interacting with nature, on women's experiences, and on spirituality. This gives it less dark a feel than Almanac of the Dead or Ceremony had, though there are still some intense moments.
Fans of her work will enjoy this one, too. I'd urge those not familiar with it to be patient if it feels slow; her work is so thoughtful and always worth it, to me. But I know the pacing and the detail will not be for everyone!
The story takes place at the turn of the 20th century, and primarily follows the Sand Lizard girls, Indigo and Sister Salt, as well as the white woman, Hattie. After the authorities raid their encampment, the girls' family is scattered, and when they try to reconcile, they're captured and separated further. Indigo escapes the Indian boarding school she's sent to and winds up taken in by Hattie and her husband Edward. Before she can try once again to reunite with her family, Indigo is taken along on the couple's trip to Europe, where she and Hattie both learn a lot from new friends and old histories.
Just as in her older novels, Leslie Marmon Silko expertly renders multiple and very different points of view, contrasting the different relationships they have with nature, family, strangers, history, etc. The book focuses largely on these broader ideas, especially on interacting with nature, on women's experiences, and on spirituality. This gives it less dark a feel than Almanac of the Dead or Ceremony had, though there are still some intense moments.
Fans of her work will enjoy this one, too. I'd urge those not familiar with it to be patient if it feels slow; her work is so thoughtful and always worth it, to me. But I know the pacing and the detail will not be for everyone!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Xenophobia, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Confinement, Rape, Sexual assault, Blood, and Grief
Minor: Animal death, Child death, Genocide, Hate crime, Infidelity, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Forced institutionalization