nancidrum's review
2.0
This was disappointing. It got such good reviews, but I didn't find it that magical.
brianharrison's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
alanawithdog's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
jessferg's review against another edition
2.0
Definitely a love story - not my cup of tea. Helps if its read while keeping in mind that it was written in 1929. Would probably make a good classroom book for 7th-9th graders.
moonrattle's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
2.5
I am impressed that this was written in 1929, because I was really put off by the disclaimer right before the book, but it makes a lot more sense given its publication date. This book, for that reason, was ahead of its time, exploring the complexities of being caught between two cultures, and the depictions of the love story were at times quite romantic. I can also give LaFarge credit for trying to capture the rhythms and the culture of the Navajo, but again since he was an anthropologist I also have to raise my eyebrows a bit at it too. And it seems that is the issue for me--there is something that is distant about this book, like the characters are impenetrable in their noble stoicism--like they are so composed and glorious, and while this is not a negative representation, it can a way of romanticizing that leads to stereotyping and trite inauthentic moments. Slim Girl shows no pain ever--what is up with that. Objectively, she had a tough and painful life. Anyway. The exploration of marriage--the mundane moments of marriage--between these two people were great, but the actual plot was too removed for me from the realities LaFarge was trying to capture. Glad I read it, but not something I would return to.
I am impressed that this was written in 1929, because I was really put off by the disclaimer right before the book, but it makes a lot more sense given its publication date. This book, for that reason, was ahead of its time, exploring the complexities of being caught between two cultures, and the depictions of the love story were at times quite romantic. I can also give LaFarge credit for trying to capture the rhythms and the culture of the Navajo, but again since he was an anthropologist I also have to raise my eyebrows a bit at it too. And it seems that is the issue for me--there is something that is distant about this book, like the characters are impenetrable in their noble stoicism--like they are so composed and glorious, and while this is not a negative representation, it can a way of romanticizing that leads to stereotyping and trite inauthentic moments. Slim Girl shows no pain ever--what is up with that. Objectively, she had a tough and painful life. Anyway. The exploration of marriage--the mundane moments of marriage--between these two people were great, but the actual plot was too removed for me from the realities LaFarge was trying to capture. Glad I read it, but not something I would return to.
ravenhaymond's review against another edition
4.0
This month's book club read. I give it 4 stars because I was entranced by La Farge's writing style. Very poetic and some gorgeous imagery. I was also drawn in by the descriptions of Navajo life and how it is affected by contact with "American" life, at least in the case of this tale. And of course, who can resist a good star-crossed lovers story? Once I got into the meat of the book, I was hypnotized by the rhythms of La Farge's words and the pace of the storyline, almost as if I was watching Slim Girl's shuttle move in and out and in and out as she sat weaving at her loom. I do wonder what the reaction of the Navajo population was to this Pulitzer winner and will have to research that a bit. I'm also surprised that we didn't read this in my Native American Literature class in grad school. I did find the ending a bit predictable, but that is not necessarily a bad thing.
naturalistnatalie's review against another edition
4.0
I went into this book cold, having no idea what it was about, and I was delighted to read it. The writing style pulled me immediately into the Southwest and into the Native American community. The Navajos were just starting to feel the negative influence of Western culture. I could see their efforts to hold on to their customs while Whites brought alcohol, guns and trade into the area. Slim Girl was a victim of that influence and she totally took advantage of Laughing Boy. He loved her, even without knowing her history, but she wanted to bind him to her with alcohol and money. Laughing Boy was a good influence on her, and she started to become more Navajo in her ways. She even began to make a name for herself with her weaving. But, she was greedy and wanted all the money she could get out of the rancher without giving up her husband. Of course, living a double life will come back to haunt you eventually. It looked like Laughing Boy and Slim Girl would survive the revelation, but it was not to be.
acwong86's review
3.0
This book read like a dream, in that there are scenes and images that I will remember, but for most of the story, things sort of ran together and I might not be able to conjure them later. I thought it was interesting to note that the author is not a Native American, and yet, he wrote a very Native story filled with deeply Native characters. Some of the writing felt forced, felt like he was trying to prove that he was connected to the culture enough that he could translate it onto the page. Overall, this was a good foray for me into an older Pulitzer winner.
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