The Lightning Within: An Anthology of Contemporary American Indian Fiction - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0803246595 ISBN 13: 9780803246591

Publisher: University of Nebraska Press, 1991

Synopsis

American Indian stories have fascinated the world for all the right reasons: vigor, depth, subtlety, brightness. In the 1960s a brilliant renaissance began. Out of it came such gifted writers of fiction as N. Scott Momaday, James Welch, Leslie Marmon Silko, Gerald Vizenor, Simon Ortiz, Louise Erdrich, and Michael Dorris. In bringing them together, The Lightning Within celebrates some of the best work being done today in the novel and short story.

About this title

About the Author

Alan R. Velie, a professor of English at the University of Oklahoma, has written a general introduction and headnotes to each selection. He is the author of Four American Indian Literary Masters and other books.

Reviews

YA-- The work of seven writers (N. Scott Momaday, James Welch, Leslie Marmon Silko, Gerald Vizenor, Simon Ortiz, Louise Erdrich, and Michael Dorris) makes up this impressive collection. The selections, mainly from novels, are alike only in the rich use of language, power of imagery, and depth of feeling. Preceding each story is a short explanation of it, a biographical sketch of the author, and brief critical notes on major works. If a myth or legend is important, it is explained. This introduction greatly aids readers' appreciation and understanding, although the story by Vizenorremains obscure. Recurring themesinclude the importance of religiousritual and belief, pride in heritage,memory of the old ways (and the mingling of these with the ways of the white man), the pain of change, and the loss of dignity. The manner in which American Indians and whites regard one another is woven into the stories with humor and pain. Mature YAs will learn much about Native American heritage and culture from this fine book by masters of their craft. --Judy Sokoll, Fairfax County Public Library, VA

Copyright 1991 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

"Faith might be stupid, but it gets us through," says Lipsha Morrissey in Louise Erdrich's "Love Medicine," one of the nine outstanding stories by Native Americans in this anthology. Morrissey concocts a magic potion to save the afflicted marriage of his grandparents. Although the potion fails, he stil believes in the strength of the union. N. Scott Momaday's "Tosomah's Story" features a self-styled shaman/pastor who invites his congregation to a different kind of faith, advising them to hold fast to their culture and get their share of life's bounty. Rewards and punishment are accepted by the characters in these stories as fingers on the same hand. The young man in "The Marriage of White Man's Dog," by James Welch, studies to become a healer. His love for his wife and his people enables him to pass an agonizing test to achieve his goal. Griever de Hocus, alter ego of his creator Gerald Vizenor in "Luminous Thighs," examines the relationship of religion and popular culture to Native American myths. Other contributors include Michael Dorris, Leslie Silko and Simon Ortiz.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

A wide spectrum of Native American literature is presented here, from tales of struggle to preserve the old ways addressed by N. Scott Momaday, James Welch, and Leslie Silko to Michael Dorris's story of a young girl's quest to form an identity on the reservation even though she bears a stronger physical resemblance to her African American father. Most selections in this anthology are excerpted from novels, some with considerable circulation, including Louise Erdrich's award-winning Love Medicine ( LJ 10/1/84). Only Gerald Vizenor's short story "Luminous Thighs" is not widely available. However, this work is intended as an introduction and overview, and it serves that purpose nicely. Velie's anthology enables even the smallest of libraries to offer its readers some of the finest writing available. Highly recommended.
- Debbie Tucker, Cincinnati Technical Coll.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: University of Nebraska Press
• Publication date: 1991
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0803246595
• ISBN 13: 9780803246591
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 164
• Editor: Velie Alan R.