Winona's Web: A Novel of Discovery - Softcover

Cogan, Priscilla

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0385490488 ISBN 13: 9780385490481

Publisher: Broadway Books, 1997

Synopsis

To the surprise of her family, Winona Pathfinder, an elderly Lakota Sioux medicine woman, announces she intends to die in two months. For counseling, Winona is referred to psychologist Dr. Meggie O'Connor--Caucasian, middle-aged, and divorced. A reluctant client, the feisty Winona decides to turn the tables and teach Dr. O'Connor a thing or two about life, while steadfastly refusing to renounce her plans to die.
As fall turns to winter on the scenic Leelanau Peninsula of Michigan, Winona casts her web around the doctor. Ever-dubious, Meggie O'Connor sees her professional methods slowly crumble before the earthy humor and soaring spirit of her new teacher. Who is healing whom? Can the doctor convince Winona to step back from the gates to the spirit world?
As Meggie's eyes open, she also rediscovers the pull of romance, involving her with two intriguing Native American men. Strange visions begin to appear, and Meggie faces a battle of wills with her stubborn patient armed with a prayer pipe, a strong heart, and the conviction that she is about to "cross over."
Graceful and powerful, the story is deeply rooted in traditional Lakota teachings. Winona's Web will delight you and touch your heart with its message of hope and prayer, love and loss, and learning to listen to the web of the world.

About this title

About the Author

Priscilla Cogan is a full time novelist,playwright,story teller, and practitioner of pipe and sweatlodge ceremonies in the Lakota tradition. She, her Cherokee husband, and their two shelties divide their time between rural Massachusetts and the lovely, Leelanau Penninsula of north western Michigan.

Review

Winona's Web is the story of a spider who has forgotten how to spin her web. Taken at face value, this sounds like a children's story, and on one level it is. The children are what Winona refers to as white two-leggeds, and we are children in need of a story in Winona's eyes. Winona Pathfinder is an elderly Lakota Sioux medicine woman who becomes the reluctant client of a psychologist Dr. Meggie O'Connor at the request of Lucy Arbre, Winona's daughter. The psychologist becomes the patient as Winona becomes teacher in this enchanting novel of self-discovery written by clinical psychologist Priscilla Cogan. Cogan weaves many traditional Lakota beliefs around likable, often mysterious characters and the Leelanau Peninsula countryside of Northwestern Michigan, bringing them face to face with Meggie O'Connor's Caucasian, middle-class belief structure. Meggie O'Connor's recent divorce and attempt to isolate herself in what she hopes will be a purifying Northern Michigan winter becomes a learning experience as she attempts to change Winona's mind about crossing over and completing the circle of life with what Winona believes is her approaching death. Meggie is drawn into Winona's Web of Lakota beliefs and understanding of the spirit world and the physical world. Cogan has a clear vision here, one that is written from a woman's perspective, yet does not alienate men in its purpose or message. Winona guides Dr. O'Connor through the business of sorting out and putting into perspective her personal and professional life in terms of friends, lovers, ex-husband, parents, as well as a pet fox terrier. Cogan has a very readable, straightforward narrative style. Each chapter begins with a poignant excerpt from a wide array of writers from D.H. Lawrence to Geronimo, J.R.R. Tolkien to Dylan Thomas. This binds her narrative together, yet allows it to expand, much like many of the Lakota beliefs taught by Winona. At its heart, Winona's Web is a coming-of-(middle) age story for those trying to come to grips with middle age and all that it encompasses psychologically. Winona's Web also exudes much of the charm of the Leelanau Peninsula and the Sutton's Bay area, the perfect setting for weaving a tale of rebirth in the tradition of the mythical Phoenix. -- From Independent Publisher

About this edition

• Publisher: Broadway Books
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0385490488
• ISBN 13: 9780385490481
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 279