clairemcarroll's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
sphoricus's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
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
5.0
bingo_b's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
gorecki's review against another edition
2.0
I stumbled across this book as a recommendation from Louise Erdrich on the blog of Birchbark Books, Erdrich's independent bookshop. I was very excited about it and I couldn't wait to delve deeper into the world of Native American literature.
Leslie Marmon Silko is a storyteller in the true sense of the word - she weaves multiple tales at the same time, all meeting, and crossing, and jumping from one to another. Her prose reminded me of a mosaic or of a jigsaw puzzle, with its many pieces spread across the whole book. As you read, you need to reconstruct the story of Tayo, a Native American veteran, before he went to war, Tayo during the war, and Tayo suffering from the war fever. But there's more: there are the stories of friends and family, stories of healers and witches, interrupted by short bits of myth and legends dispersed throughout the narration.
But as much as I enjoyed single stories and single episodes, some of which were really incredible, I was thrown back by the chaos that soon surrounded me: having so many pieces of a puzzle and so many fragments that it became a chore to follow and understand. The storyline was cut into so many pieces it was often hard to follow the timeline of events. As incredible as some sections of the book were, others were over-dramatized or tedious and repetitive: descriptions of landscapes or cattle. I was very involved and interested in the story in the first half of the book, but my enthusiasm started diminishing and by the end of the book I was already unengaged.
I'm not giving up on Silko - I've read many great things about her short stories, and she herself admits to feeling stronger at writing short stories. Maybe the next book I read by her is going to be the literary experience I was hoping for.
Leslie Marmon Silko is a storyteller in the true sense of the word - she weaves multiple tales at the same time, all meeting, and crossing, and jumping from one to another. Her prose reminded me of a mosaic or of a jigsaw puzzle, with its many pieces spread across the whole book. As you read, you need to reconstruct the story of Tayo, a Native American veteran, before he went to war, Tayo during the war, and Tayo suffering from the war fever. But there's more: there are the stories of friends and family, stories of healers and witches, interrupted by short bits of myth and legends dispersed throughout the narration.
But as much as I enjoyed single stories and single episodes, some of which were really incredible, I was thrown back by the chaos that soon surrounded me: having so many pieces of a puzzle and so many fragments that it became a chore to follow and understand. The storyline was cut into so many pieces it was often hard to follow the timeline of events. As incredible as some sections of the book were, others were over-dramatized or tedious and repetitive: descriptions of landscapes or cattle. I was very involved and interested in the story in the first half of the book, but my enthusiasm started diminishing and by the end of the book I was already unengaged.
I'm not giving up on Silko - I've read many great things about her short stories, and she herself admits to feeling stronger at writing short stories. Maybe the next book I read by her is going to be the literary experience I was hoping for.
sskylarcook's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jendiz71's review against another edition
*** read for Native American class 21’***
I have no idea what this book said. I know it’s about tayo who has severe ptsd but my understanding stops there. Hate the fact I had to read it for class bc I don’t think I can judge it fairly. Thus my no rating.
I have no idea what this book said. I know it’s about tayo who has severe ptsd but my understanding stops there. Hate the fact I had to read it for class bc I don’t think I can judge it fairly. Thus my no rating.
milbelmama's review against another edition
Wanted to read in NM but it’s too slow for me. Maybe some other time…
beckiedenise's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
By far one of the best books I've read.