Reviews with content warning for Racism - Ceremony

Such interesting views of Indigenous religion, eye opening to what colonization has done to Indians but also takes the stance on not treating American Indians like the victims. Really really loved this, it has haunted me for a while.

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helenasiuzmu's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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mmcloe's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I'm a tremendous fan of Silko's short stories ("Tony's Story" in particular) and it's interesting to see her expand upon the themes of her short work in a novel. I'm always thinking about how we read things and have been taught to read things and Silko is a master of reinterpreting events through a lens of Pueblo mythology, ecology, politics, and religion. Reinterpreting and rereading is a necessary first step to the direct work necessary for the abolition of settler colonialism and capitalism.

Her writing is also top notch. Immensely vivid and piercing without being overdone.

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b0ygenius's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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readingpicnic's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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caedy's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.75

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catapocalypse's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-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

I first read this over 15 years ago through a university extension course as a high school senior. Many things from it stuck with me over the years, and it was past time to read it again.

This is a brief but powerful book about dealing with PTSD and loss, and finding healing in nature and tradition. Tayo, a man from a Laguna Pueblo family, returns home with severe PTSD after serving in the Pacific in World War II, being captured by the Japanese military (he survives the Bataan Death March), and losing loved ones both in and outside of the war. Neither a stay in a psychiatric hospital nor resting at his family's home do much to improve his condition, and the alcohol his friends turn to only gets him in trouble. Ultimately, he turns to his tribe's traditions in an effort to reconnect with their history, the land, and humanity, to heal and to see to some unfinished business.

The story includes many flashbacks from throughout Tayo's life and snippets of tribal songs and stories in verse. The mix is chaotic at the start, but focuses in on the present as Tayo regains his clarity. It's beautifully crafted.

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