Read this book more than once, and do a little research if you're not familiar with Laguna Pueblo or Navaho cultures. It is well worth your while.Demanding and Frustrating, But Very Impressive Ok, ok. So I'm a suburban WASP (well, half on the W) kid with far too much time on my hands. And except for what I've read in books, I don't know jack about Native American culture. But any way you slice it, this is an extremely well structured book.
Silko's writing style is very mystic, with adequate doses of hope and cynicism throughout. The integration of Native American poems throughout the novel is very interesting, as the stories parallel what is happening in the book, and they offer interesting symbols and history. It takes a bit of analyzing, but the result is very rewarding.
The main character Tayo is almost too easy to sympathize with, as many of the people around him are immature alcoholics or self righteous pricks, most notably the aunt. The narrative can be confusing, with its flashbacks within flashbacks within flashbacks. I had to read over many parts multiple times.
The ending is especially beautiful, though a bit precarious. The way the book starts and ends with "sunrise" suggests a cyclical nature to life. And, this sounds really stupid, I felt more connected to the earth after reading it.
If there's one drawback, other than the occasionally frustrating prose, it's that Silko's authenticity in depicting a battleground setting is questionable. For the most part, though, the scenes are not trying to show the horrors of war so much as stress certain key points of the story.
It can also make you sick if you're easily grossed out by vomit. I feel it in my belly...
