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A Yellow Raft in Blue Water

3.76 of 5 stars 3.76 · rating details · 7,689 ratings · 589 reviews

Michael Dorris has crafted a fierce saga of three generations of Indian women, beset by hardships and torn by angry secrets, yet inextricably joined by the bonds of kinship. Starting in the present day and moving backward, the novel is told in the voices of the three women: fifteen-year-old part-black Rayona; her American Indian mother, Christine, consumed by tenderness an

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Paperback, 372 pages

Published March 5th 2003 by Picador (first published May 1987)

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Aug 04, 2007 Michael rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: those studing perspective and/or Native American culture

I must start off this review by saying that, due to lots of input from those who loathed the book with a fiery passion (the juniors from last year who, like myself this summer, were assigned to read Yellow Raft for English III). So before I began this book, I was expecting a trip to Hell and back in the form of tedious writing and hokey plot twists. Now, being that I'd like to think that their oral review had little to no effect on my opinion, I will continue with my blog.
It's no surprise that t...more

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Jun 06, 2008 Jan Livingston rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book has characters that touch your heart and stay with you. I finished this several days ago and still and putting together new ideas and interpretations over the story.
It really highlights the frailty of humanity as well as the deep, abiding damage that can come from secrets; even well intentioned secrets.
the characters live in a world if missed communications which have disastrous long term consequences. the end of the story has a bright, shining candle of hope but it is not certain and...more

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Nov 24, 2008 Jamie rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book is based on three Native American character's lives. Rayona is a shy teenager who is half Native American and half African American. She faces alot of conflicts with her mother who is an alcaholic/party animal, and gets teased in school for being mixed. Christine, is Rayona's mother. She is Native American, and is married to an African American soldier named Elgin. Thoughout her part of the book, she faces some difficulties with Elgin witch reflects alot on Rayona. Ida, is Native Amer...more

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Nov 24, 2008 Owen added it

The book I read was A Yellow Raft In Blue Water by Michael Dorris. The story is about 3 differant woman, all from their Point Of View (POV). Rayona, Christine, and Ida. The book starts with Rayona as a littel girl. The auther tells about her life as she grows up. Then Christine's (Rayona's mother) part comes. It tells about her and her life growing up. Than she has Rayona. One of the main conflects in this book between Christine and Rayona is that, Christine ran away from Rayona and left her wi...more

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Nov 24, 2008 Jocey rated it 2 of 5 stars

A Yellow Raft in Blue Water, Michael Dorris is a book about the three women. The main characters are Rayona, a 15 year old girl. Daughter of Christine. It takes place in Montana on Native American reservation. Christine, Rayona’s mother. Aunt Ida, Rayona’s grandmother. One of Christine’s internal struggles is that she feels guilty for telling Lee (her brother) to join the army. Her external struggle is that Aunt Ida, doesn’t really like her, and they really don’t get along.

During my time readin...more

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Nov 24, 2008 Yasmina rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: sof-books

This book is about 3 generations of women in a family. Rayona is the daughter, Christen is the mother, and Aunt Ida is the "Grandma". It is about are 3 parts and each part is through the eyes of each person.
The story begins with Rayona playing cards with Christine in the hospital, when Rayona's African-American father Elgin visits, making Christine angry. Christine leaves the hospital with Rayona, threatening to kill herself at the spot where Rayona was born. Christine eventually leaves Rayona...more

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Nov 24, 2008 David Sof 2014 rated it 2 of 5 stars Recommends it for: People who love Mr. Fantastic Dorris

Recommended to David by: my one and only humanties teacher Sadelle

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Nov 25, 2008 Telka rated it 1 of 5 stars

A Yellow Raft in Blue Water is about three young Indian women, Rayona, Christine, and Ida. The setting takes place on two Indian reservations. One of them is in Seattle, and the other one is in Tacoma. Each of these characters struggle in their lives. Rayona has a hard time because she is part black, and can't identify who she really is as a person, Christine, (Rayona's mother)has a difficult time with the people who are supposed to love her, and Ida, (grandmother and mother,)has dreams, wishes...more

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Jan 15, 2008 Danielle rated it 2 of 5 stars Recommends it for: No one, really

Shelves: did-not-finish, fiction

So, I made it about halfway through this book before throwing in the towel. Here's why:
1. I'm used to loving a book, or at least being invested in the characters enough that it's hard to put it down. That was not the case with this book. I read it because I had nothing else to do. But stopping at any point was not difficult, and I didn't feel strongly compelled to pick it up again.
2. The story was slow moving, without beautiful prose to make up for the lack of plot. The writing was only so-so.
3....more

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Jan 01, 2008 Socket Klatzker added it

I have complicated feelings about this book. I read it about 15 years ago, as a high school student. I loved it. I always used it as an example of men being able to write from women's perspectives in an effective way. Previously, I found that I did not get into other male author's attempts, but really felt like Dorris captured female voices honestly especially around objectification and sexualization. I put him in a category of empathic and clear thinking; I put him on a pedestal of the compassi...more

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Aug 10, 2007 Myfanwy rated it 5 of 5 stars

A Yellow Raft in Blue Water is a novel I won't soon forget. Set in Seattle and Montana, it tells the tale of three Native American women--Rayona, Christine and Ida--each in her own voice. They are related, a family, and their worlds intersect and tear apart, span out and braid back together, but it is not until the ending that the reader fully understands how the events which start the novel have come to pass.

It is told in reverse, starting with the youngest, Rayona or Ray for short. At first,...more

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Mar 06, 2008 Suzanne rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: classic

I read this years ago and loved the late Michael Dorris' words and the image of Native American life he conveyed so vividly. He and his wife, Louise Erdrich, often collaborated on novels which I felt was unprecedented. I think it should be required reading for American high school students but find myself dismayed by some of their reviews here. Hopefully, they won't throw the book away, and will see it in a different light if they reread it years from now.
Erdrich and Dorris were an outstanding...more

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Jan 12, 2009 Ginny rated it 1 of 5 stars

After reading A Yellow Raft in Blue Water, I found myself unhappy with the literary merit of Michael Dorris’ novel. The story of three women of Native American descent in the Oregon and Montana area was stated to be a monumental novel. My original belief, upon reading the reviews in the front of the book, was that the novel would be an uplifting portrayal of three women’s journeys throughout life. Unfortunately, my reading appetite was not sated. The typical vocabulary and unexciting plot line l...more After reading A Yellow Raft in Blue Water, I found myself unhappy with the literary merit of Michael Dorris’ novel. The story of three women of Native American descent in the Oregon and Montana area was stated to be a monumental novel. My original belief, upon reading the reviews in the front of the book, was that the novel would be an uplifting portrayal of three women’s journeys throughout life. Unfortunately, my reading appetite was not sated. The typical vocabulary and unexciting plot line led to an excruciating read.
Although there were a few moments of genius writing, I was generally disappointed with the end result of Dorris’ novel. There are many translucent examples of Dorris’ hints at the corruption of religion. An all to obvious foreshadowing occurs between Rayona, the youngest narrator, and a priest from the Indian reservation. No suspense is built up in this interwoven plot line, where the reader can be sure that an “act of sin” is on the horizon. Similarly, Christine, the second narrator, renounces religion and follows a life of personal happiness. Christine puts quantifiable items like having money, possessions, and acquiring the jealousy of others over the quality necessities of love, life, and happiness. This outlook ends up proving just how disastrous a life can become if no restraint is taken in consideration of one’s life.
An ironic twist to the novel’s condemnation of religion is that the journey of the three women could be constantly paralleled to the holy trinity. The story, told in three parts by each of the women, leaves much to be desired, however. All three women are portrayed as tragic characters. They lead unfortunate lives in the midst of personal denial, confusion of self-importance, and unjust blaming for events out of one’s control. The pitiful collection of women is honestly a depressing and unsatisfying authorial technique.
The beginning of the story stars Rayona, daughter of Christine and granddaughter of Aunt Ida. Her mixed heritage of being Native American and black makes her an outcast in any school she attends and an object of question wherever she goes. Her mother often betrays her, but in spite of that, she is drawn to her mother’s apologies and always forgives her. Viewing this constant backtracking to a negative influence is a strong aspect of annoyance within the novel. Christine feels the Ray is the only person who stays by her side, but in fact Christine’s attendance in Rayona’s world bars her daughter back and creates endless hurdles to jump over.
An interesting appearance, however, is the couple Sky and Evelyn. These two care for Rayona and keep track of her when she runs away from the Indian reservation her mother brought her to. The couple is an obvious positive in Rayona’s life, illuminating to her the actions of a caring mother figure and allowing the time she needed to revitalize before returning to her family. Evelyn’s blunt nature is similar to other characters in the novel, but the characterization of Sky as a free spirit is a refreshing element.
In the second part of the novel, Christine takes the front seat. She recaps her life, and the reader finds out exactly why she is running from everything and constantly blaming herself. Although the reader becomes quickly sentimental to Christine’s position on life, her constant need to be pulled in by others causes the book to feel like a stodgy dirge. Her life doesn’t bring much luck, what with family deaths, adultery, and failing health. She eventually ends up in the right place, however, making what apologies she can before she dies. She also begins forgiving herself, which is a rather infertile and overused plot line in much of today’s literature.
The story finally peters out with the introduction of Aunt Ida’s point of view. Although the most lyrically pleasing section, the seemingly rushed end of the story is notably shorter than the other two parts. What seems a last ditch attempt to combine the three stories is somewhat heartfelt, but is generally yet another story telling of unfair circumstances and poor quality living. Ida is plagued with he onset of children before she really assumes the mindset of “mother” and does so without a husband. Her trials in life are not aided by her constant appeals to God, and her clinging to Indian language and traditions shoot her off as a stubborn old woman. She feels shame at her actions and is often embarrassed even though her outer shell is toughened against even the slightest reaction. Her disastrous childhood never seems to escape her, and hard work and personal piety keeps her alive, even if she doesn’t know how to apologize to those she loves.
Overall, the story has left a slightly bitter aftertaste for me. I don’t agree that writing about the perils and trials of others effectively harbor a creative environment. I would not recommend the book unless you’re feeling like a plunge into the disappointing aftermath of these three women. The end result, to me, is simply a poor attempt at life-changing literature.
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Nov 25, 2008 Viviana rated it 2 of 5 stars

the first sectionis told in rayona's point of view, her alcoholic mother really is sick,Christine is terminally ill and she impulsively decides to take Rayona back to Montana where she leaves her in the care of her grandmother, "Aunt Ida." reject Feeling ed by her entire family and scorned as a half-breed by the other Indian kids on the reservation, Rayona finds herself in a situation that gives her an opportunity to run away. She is fortunate and is immediately friends with a "hippie" and works...more

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Nov 24, 2008 Noah rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book was mainly about three Native Americans named Christine, Rayona, and Aunt Ida. These Native American woman have many different conflicts. Rayona's conflict is the fact that her mom is a total whack job. Chrisine's conflict is the fact that she got pregnant. Aunt Ida's conflict is the fact that she hasn't found recognition in her life.
I can relate this book to the world because when I saw the movie about Thomas and Victor I realized that all of the reservations in the world are very s...more

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Nov 24, 2008 At (Austin)SOF2014 rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to At by: Sadelle

A Yellow Raft In Blue Water is a great book. It is about the struggles of three generations of Native American women. First, Rayona tells her story. How she grew up, what her mom is like, and how she leaves her Aunt to go to a weird religious thing. Christine is next. She is Rayona's mother. She was always upset with her mother when she was young because she never would admit she was her child.She tells the story of how she had Rayona and what happened before Rayona was born. Ida is Christine's...more

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Nov 24, 2008 Alex rated it 1 of 5 stars

This book takes place in three poin of views, Rayona, Christine, and Ida. This book takes place in Seattle Rayona was abandoned by her mother, Christine, to her Grandmother's, Ida, house in Montana. Later in the book, she met her cousin, Foxy, who is a bull rider. Foxy was drunk so Rayona has to ride for Foxy. Christine had Rayona with a man named Elgin, they met in a bar. Christine had a brother named Lee, who died in the Vietnam War. It was sad for her because, when they were little, they wer...more

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Nov 24, 2008 Giselle rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book is about three Native American women, one who is half-black who are, Rayona, Christine, and Ida. It is told in each of their perspective in three parts. In Rayona's part it is about how she struggles with her mother and how she moves to Montana. Christine's part is about her childhood with her brother Lee. She also talks about her conflicts with her life such as her family and her husband Elgin. In Aunt Ida's perspective she reveals secrets and gaps that are in the story. Ida talks ab...more

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Nov 24, 2008 Ash R. rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everyone who like Native American books.

Recommended to Ash R. by: My Teacher, Sadelle =)

A Yellow Raft in Blue Water is a really interesting and significant book. It is written in three different perspectives, Rayona, Christine, and Aunt Ida. This really helps the reader understand and get the full story of all point of views. Rayona is a young girl who has been moved a lot by a mother who pretty much abandons her. Christine the mother if Rayona, tell us the story how she had Rayona. Also Ida who told how she got to have Christine even though she isn't actually her mother. As the st...more

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Nov 24, 2008 Mateo rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: people that feel like they have the worst life ever and want to kill themselves

Recommended to Mateo by: my teacher

This book is about three main characters. Rayona is a girl that has a lot of fellings and not many friends. The second main character is Christine, Rayona's mother. She is kind of grumpy because she wasn't really born by her "mother, Ida." She was given to Ida. The third main character is Ida.She likes to be referred as Aunt Ida. She is a woman who doesn't really care about things and is TV-hooked. Each few chapters explains each characters POV.

I can't really relate to Christine this way but thi...more

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Nov 24, 2008 Haley rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: people who like mystery stories and/or different points of view stories

Recommended to Haley by: my 7th grade hum. teacher made most of my class read it

A yellow raft in blue water is a coming of age novel about native American girls and is over all a tale of conflict among generations as shown from three different points of view. The three main characters are; Rayona, the youngest and most innocent, Christine, the mother of Rayona and most wild, and Aunt Ida, the oldest and most mysterious. The book is mostly set in Seattle, or a small Indian reservation in Montana. One strange thing about this book is that it is told backwards in time and th...more A yellow raft in blue water is a coming of age novel about native American girls and is over all a tale of conflict among generations as shown from three different points of view. The three main characters are; Rayona, the youngest and most innocent, Christine, the mother of Rayona and most wild, and Aunt Ida, the oldest and most mysterious. The book is mostly set in Seattle, or a small Indian reservation in Montana. One strange thing about this book is that it is told backwards in time and therefor slightly resembles the form of a mystery book. Everything within A yellow raft in blue water eventually ties up to create a deep plot that is difficult to understand if you aren't looking for it deep between the lines.

In books such as this one, readers often have some sort of connection to an event that happened or just to one of the characters over all. One way I, personally, can connect with this book is that like Rayona, my mom has always been a little on the wild side. I can connect with Christine because I used to always think my brother was the best and then I started to get jealous of him which is similar to what happened between her and Lee. One way I can connect with Ida is that recently I've had to take on a lot of responsibly someone else should be taking on, in a less drastic measure but all the same. One way most people could connect with this book nowadays is that in the whole book there was a parent who wasn't around.

I would rate this book two and a half out of five because it was very interesting and kept me reading, yet at the same time I found myself falling asleep in some parts. I feel that Michael Dorris used this book as a kind of fence to show his life story, with a few twists, without coming out and saying it. In Aunt Ida's part, I was feeling very confused because he tried to fit a long meaningful section into too few pages. What should have been the longest part of the book then became the shortest, most confusing, and most cut off. Because of this, the book ends with everything in the air and many questions unanswered. Most of my classmate's favorite part, me included, was Christine's part. At my table we enjoyed her words and how she made things complete in her own style. It was very good but what I keep thinking, and hearing, is that the story would have been MUCH better if Ida started then it went to Christine, then Rayona. He would have been able to flesh more things out and really finish the book in a great way that answers things but still made you think.(less)

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Nov 24, 2008 Jeff_§of2014 rated it 2 of 5 stars Recommends it for: anybody that has a long attention span and doesn't fall asleep during reading unlike me

Recommended to Jeff_§of2014 by: Sadelle

This book is in the point of three people: Rayona, Christine and Aunt Ida. Rayona is teased at the Mission by Foxy Cree her "cousin" because of her race. Christine is always going from place to place and from man to man, she has some anger issues and gets mad a lot for a reason that is not really obvious. Aunt Ida is Christine's guardian but not her mother, her real mother is Aunt Ida's cousin, Carla. Carla did not want Christine so she give her to Ida for her to take care of.

While reading A Yel...more

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Nov 24, 2008 Jason_W. rated it 2 of 5 stars

The book A Yellow Raft in Blue Water is in three point of view, Rayona a girl who's parents are Indian and black, Christine, Rayona's mother and Aunt Ida who is said to be Christine's mother. They are living on a reservation all in a problem with other people. Rayona runs away from the reservation. Christine's life is all trouble with her husband Elgin and a likely in love with another women.Ida also has her problems being a mother of two has to take care of her children and the dangers of the w...more

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Dec 18, 2012 Crissie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: cross-cultural-issues, fiction

Just found my review written Feb 7, 1994
A rather amazing book: three generations of women and how they worked out and are working out their lives. Three living within Native American culture, alongside North American culture as well Christianity via Catholicism. The clash between all this is not really raised here. But what is raised here is how these women have allowed aspirations, feelings from their youth, decisions made in their youth, to take over without double-checking the possible outcom...more

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Aug 12, 2012 Carol rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult

I read this book when I was in my thirties. I'm not sure I could have appreciated it as much in my twenties and certainly not in my teens. I was particularly taken by how 3 generations of women saw one particular event very differently. While I'm certain there are many people smarter and more mature than I, force feeding books like this on teen readers makes no sense. Schools do an excellent job of making reading and writing painful. I'm all for letting kids (of all ages) choose what they'd like...more

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Apr 09, 2012 Book Concierge rated it 2 of 5 stars

Dorris braids a single story told in reverse chronological order, from three unique perspectives. Rayona, a 15-year-old “half-breed,” begins the story, relaying her efforts to raise her own irresponsible mother. We then move to Ray’s mother, Christine, who recounts her struggles growing up and rebelling against her unaffectionate mother, Aunt Ida. Finally we hear from Aunt Ida, the matriarch of the family, whose secrets have shaped her daughter and granddaughter in ways she never intended.

It’s...more

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Aug 04, 2010 Emily rated it 3 of 5 stars

First of all, if I could, I would give this book about 3 1/2 stars, not just 3. Second, I didn't like the first part of the book, which was Rayona's story. I found it boring, and because I didn't know many of the characters, hard to be emotionally invested into the book. I felt bad for Rayona, but I didn't really like or dislike her.
I was extremely suprised though, that this book them became so good. Granted, it was about 100 pages in once it did, but still that's better than nothing! The storie...more

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Jun 21, 2010 Rowland Bismark rated it 4 of 5 stars

THE NOVEL IS DIVIDED INTO three sections narrated by three different Native American women: Rayona, Christine, and Ida. Rayona’s narrative begins at the hospital, where she is playing cards with her mother, Christine, who drinks heavily and is frequently hospitalized. Rayona’s father, Elgin, arrives and argues with Christine. Rayona leaves for the parking lot and finds Christine trying to break into their car. Christine says she is going to crash the car so Rayona can collect the life insurance...more THE NOVEL IS DIVIDED INTO three sections narrated by three different Native American women: Rayona, Christine, and Ida. Rayona’s narrative begins at the hospital, where she is playing cards with her mother, Christine, who drinks heavily and is frequently hospitalized. Rayona’s father, Elgin, arrives and argues with Christine. Rayona leaves for the parking lot and finds Christine trying to break into their car. Christine says she is going to crash the car so Rayona can collect the life insurance payment. Rayona forces her way into the car and she and her mother drive off. Christine decides to leave their home in Seattle and return to the reservation in Montana where she grew up. Christine and Rayona spend the night packing and leave the next day.

Misunderstandings between characters occur throughout the novel, and Dorris puts us in the unusual position of being able to see both sides of some arguments. There are three different but overlapping story lines with three different narrators who occasionally report the same event from differing points of view. These multiple narrators demonstrate how three characters who should be very close to one another can misunderstand each other, at times dramatically. As the novel opens, for example, Rayona is at the hospital visiting Christine, whose actions seem melodramatic, irresponsible, and irrational. However, when this scene is revisited in Christine’s story, we learn that Christine has just found out she has less than six months to live, and she wounded by the lack of sympathy from both her daughter and her ex-husband.

Likewise, though Ida comes off as rather cold and resentful to others—she herself admits this is an apt description—her personal life at least makes her temperament seem forgivable or understandable. If Christine and Rayona knew Ida’s history, they would understand that her coldness is her reaction to the treatment she has received throughout her life. Dorris presents the defining events of his characters’ lives, the ones that shape who they are and how they react to the world. In the cases of Christine and Ida, such events often remain secret and inspire negative reactions from the novel’s other characters. Only when we are given access to a character’s life and thoughts can we hope to understand that character’s actions.

In the end, A Yellow Raft in Blue Water favors family as a means of support, but the novel also questions how the problems of one generation can be passed to the next. Ida, Christine, and Rayona each represent a different generation of the same family, and each generation resonates with the lives of those who came before. The secrets that characterize Ida’s life create a number of misunderstandings between the three women. Neither Rayona nor Christine can understand the events that influence them, and a great deal of confusion and misunderstanding grows between mother and daughter. The events surrounding Christine’s birth and adoption by Ida resonate throughout the novel. Ida is the only person to witness these events, but they are so powerful that they affect the way she raises Christine, who in turn passes their effect on to Rayona.

Finding one’s place is a crucial element of growing up, and since growing up is a part of each of the novel’s three stories, each of the three chief characters struggles to belong. Ida never really has the opportunity to find her place or assert herself, and she quickly gives up any hope of successfully battling the currents that drive her life. Ida tries to come to peace with the path her life has taken but she remains resentful. Christine, on the other hand, has many opportunities that Ida lacks, and she takes full advantage of them. Christine tries on a number of identities, looking for one that fits: she tries first to be daring, then religious, then social and even somewhat promiscuous. None of these identities fulfills Christine, however, so she looks for herself in other people. She finds comfort in being Lee’s sister, and then Elgin’s husband, but the comfort does not last. Only when Rayona is born does Christine find her true place. She feels that Rayona gives her life meaning, and though she continues to live her wild life, she knows that, in the end, whatever she does must be for Rayona.

Rayona’s identity is more precarious than her mother’s. Although Rayona knows the identities of her parents, Elgin is largely absent and Christine is not exactly motherly. Rayona longs for a place in a family, so she clings to the love expressed in the letter she finds at Bearpaw Lake instead of looking to something that is actually part of her life. Rayona also struggles with her racial and physical identity, as she is of mixed race and gangly appearance. She is an outsider in almost every way and indulges in escapism. Once Rayona discards Ellen’s letter, however, we see that she finally comes to feel comfortable with her mother and her own identity. For Rayona, an integral part of finding her identity is trying on a fictitious one and realizing that even the dreamiest circumstances she can imagine do not make her hurt less. Rayona’s journey is ultimately less about figuring out who she is than it is about reconciling herself to her identity.

Faith is one of the more elusive elements of the novel, but it is an issue that each of the protagonists confronts. Rayona, Christine, and Ida have very different experiences with faith and the church. Rayona, abandoned by her parents and ignored by Ida, turns to the church for security. In her relationship with Father Tom, it appears as if Rayona has found someone who cares about her and whom she can trust. However, the basis for this trust turns out to be illusory, and in the end Rayona finds the security she needs only with her mother. Ida, on the other hand, does find a meaningful relationship, and the closest thing she has to a mutual understanding, in her relationship with Father Hurlburt. In contrast to the somewhat devious Father Tom, Father Hurlburt is one of the few people who shares Ida’s secrets. At times Father Hurlburt seems to be the only person who thinks Ida is worth being around. Ida has not lived a perfect life by Christian standards, something that her sister, Pauline, is sure to point out. Father Hurlburt, however, never judges Ida, and he is able to look past religious dogma and become her close friend. Finally, Christine’s religious faith wavers over the course of her life. She shows a strong capacity for faith in her early life, but when a critical element of her faith is proven wrong, Christine completely turns her back on religion.

Most of the religious figures in the novel are portrayed as malicious, absurd, or a combination of both. Though resentment toward the presence of the Holy Martyrs Mission on the reservation is obvious from the very beginning of the novel, a feeling lingers that faith is good and helpful for whomever it touches. For Rayona, Ida, and Christine, faith is sometimes vague or obscured, even warped and dangerous, yet it can support them when they least expect it.(less)

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Apr 28, 2010 Summer Raine rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: school

I am one of those numerous people who read A Yellow Raft in Blue Water for school. Overall, I found this book to be a rather enjoyable read. While it didn't stand out and amaze me, it did have its high points and very few low points.

I find Michael Dorris's writing style to be absolutely beautiful. The book is filled with rich, lyrical language and vivid imagery. Some may find the language tedious to read, but I feel it added to the mood of the story, and often times helped the reader enter the m...more

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Jan 05, 2010 BarkLessWagMore rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, audiobook

I read this as an unabridged audiobook. For some reason I thought it was a young adult novel but then again I'm easily confused. It does feature an adolescent so maybe that's where the confusion began. It's a good thing this was an audio because if I were reading it in its paperback format I probably would have put it down unfinished after the first few chapters. Admittedly, I’m easily bored but this story was just too slow paced and peopled with characters that are, more often than not, difficu...more I read this as an unabridged audiobook. For some reason I thought it was a young adult novel but then again I'm easily confused. It does feature an adolescent so maybe that's where the confusion began. It's a good thing this was an audio because if I were reading it in its paperback format I probably would have put it down unfinished after the first few chapters. Admittedly, I’m easily bored but this story was just too slow paced and peopled with characters that are, more often than not, difficult to sympathize with. This made it difficult for me to continue turning its pages with any sort of enthusiasm. However, being trapped as I am in my vehicle for long stretches of time I’m content to listen to almost anything if it distracts me from the tedium of driving and thus I finished every CD until I reached the bitter end.

The story is told from the point of view of its three main characters starting with fifteen year old Rayona and working backwards through events which are told by her mother Christine and finally by Christine’s mother “Aunt” Ida. This technique makes one sit back and say “ahhh, so that somewhat explains why “so and so” was such an unlikable witch earlier in the book” but it also makes for tough reading because it’s difficult to sympathize with Christine and “Aunt” Ida for long stretches of the novel. Once we learn their motivation for certain actions they often turn out to be the ones who made poor choices resulting in their current miserable situations.

The novel begins when Rayona is unceremoniously abandoned by her mother Christine at “Aunt” Ida's home on an Indian reservation. Ida is even less caring and nurturing than selfish Christine. Christine hitches a ride and doesn't look back leaving Rayona to deal with grumpy Ida who takes her in but leaves her to fend for herself. Rayona is friendless, lonely and finding it difficult to fit in and becomes a "project" to the local reverend who hovers over her in a somewhat creepy way (if you ask me). This is only a small snapshot of what appears to be a long stretch of instability in Rayona's young life. Rayona tells the story for roughly a third of the book and was the most sympathetic of the three and showed a lot of guts for a kid on her own.

The focus then switches to her mom Christine who shows us a bit of her past. We experience the ups and downs of her wild days as a single gal living on her own after she’s escaped the confines of life on the reservation. Her secret heartache is revealed and we relive her love affair with Rayona’s faithless father. Still, despite all of her pain she always remained a selfish “me, me, me” type of person who I couldn’t warm up to and a lot of her troubles were of her own making.

Next the story switches to Ida whose past I found the most interesting. She fills in many gaps and her past answers a lot of questions that cropped up while I was reading Rayona and Christine’s point of view. Again, though, in the end Ida is too brusque and difficult to warm up to despite the painful choice thrust upon her as a youngster.

Overall this story manages to be both depressing and compassionate but the bleakness left me in a very melancholy mood when I finished. Two of the three characters love deeply but show it in all the wrong ways and I fear the third may follow their footsteps with such guidance. . . This is a book that I won't be reading again any time soon.(less)

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Three generations of Native American women well told	8	47	Mar 15, 2013 02:44pm

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About Michael Dorris

Michael Dorris was a novelist, short story writer, nonfiction writer, and author of books for children

The first member of his family to attend college, Dorris graduated from Georgetown with honors in English and received his graduate degree in anthropology from Yale. Dorris worked as a professor of English and anthropology at Dartmouth College.

Dorris was part-Native American through the lineage o...more

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