Cloud Chamber

by Michael Dorris

Ten years after his "dazzling" ( San Francisco Chronicle ) bestselling debut novel, A Yellow Raft in Blue Water, Michael Dorris returns to the family at the core of that work to write the rich score of the "full-blown, complex opera of his new novel, Cloud Chamber " (Robb Forman Dew).

Opening in late nineteenth century Ireland and moving to Kentucky and finally to the high plains of Montana, Cloud Chamber tells the extraordinary tale of Rose Mannion and her descendants. Over a period of more than one hundred years, Rose's legacy of love and betrayal is passed down from generation to generation until it meets the promise of reconciliation in Rayona, the indomitable part Black, part Native American teenage girl at the center of A Yellow Raft in Blue Water.

Cloud Chamber is truly a tour de force, a powerful, rich tale about the energy and persistence of love.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Book Club, Novels, Native American, Literature, Irish Literature

316 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

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 of his paternal. He founded the Native American Studies department at Dartmouth in 1972 and chaired it until 1985.

In 1971, Dorris became the first unmarried man in the United States to adopt a child. His adopted son, Reynold Abel, was diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome and his condition became the subject of Dorris' The Broken Cord,(the pseudonym "Adam" is used for his son in the book).

In 1981, Dorris married aspiring writer Louise Erdrich. Throughout their relationship, Erdrich and Dorris edited and contributed to each other's writing.

In 1991, Dorris' adopted son, Reynold Abel, died after being hit by a car. In 1996, Louise Erdrich separated from Dorris. On April 10, 1997, Dorris committed suicide in Concord, New Hampshire.

Reviews

[Davis Aujourd'hui · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do not understand some of the negative-sounding reviews of the book. This book was a magnificent family saga which explored the themes of love, forgiveness, and acceptance. That made it a highly spiritual book for me. I especially appreciated that since I am the author of a spiritually-themed book.

While this is a definite companion piece to Michael Dorris' exquisite first novel, it certainly stands alone. Undoubtedly the reader will want to read "Yellow Raft" if not having already done so. I loved the author's evocative writing style. His characters are both compassionate and irascible. The book is filled with humor, though some of it is dark. I liked the comic aspects of my book since I write both spiritual and humorous fiction. He also deftly writes about people of other races although the family in this book is largely of Irish origin.

I have read three of the author's books and this is as superb as any of them. For anyone who wants to explore the dimensions of humanity within the context of a beautifully written book, I would highly recommend this.

Davis Aujourd'hui, author of "The Misadventures of Sister Mary Olga Fortitude"

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a prequel to the author's highly successful earlier novel "A Yellow Raft In Blue Water" (and having read that one several decades ago, re-reading it is in the cards for me now). Right from the start the writing is at such a high level of quality that I immediately entered that zone of reader's euphoria, anticipation, and excitement that this would be good. And so it was and remained for the duration of the book --- not just good, but exceptional. I continued to bask in that emotional "high" that gives meaning to reading when writing is at this level of quality. This is a multi-generational family saga (through five generations) that begins in Ireland and ends in Montana. It's compelling, gripping, evocative, lyrical, poignant, powerful, and absorbing (this list of descriptive adjectives could go on and on). Reading this has been a highly satisfying endeavor. I picked this book up totally by chance from one of those "little libraries" and realize now that I was indeed lucky that day.

[Jan Priddy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love and taught A Yellow Raft in Blue Water for many years. This sequel utterly fails to live up to Dorris's earlier novel. My students mostly loved Yellow Raft, but I warned them they would be disappointed by this one. There are a few passages and characters worth spending time with, but the rest . . . not so much, not even for a true fan.

[Lanea · Rating 2 out of 5]

I came across this book while organizing our library, and couldn't for the life of me remember reading it. So I read it. Only one section seemed familiar, and it was a common enough trope to have just been similar to something I read in another book.

The first couple of chapters turned me off. I've mentioned my snobbery? Well, it's particularly hard for me to deal with fake Irish accents or misjudged pseudo-Irish diction. Dorris neglected a bit of homework--he should have read a bit more widely in the 19th C. Irish canon before attempting the Irish beginnings of the novel.

But, once through those sections, the book really improved. Dorris's real talent lies in creating fully realized characters that are thoroughly flawed but still likable. I think that's the secret to fiction. Flat villains stopped being intriguing round about third grade. In this novel, Dorris switches narrators from chapter to chapter, and each of his narrators is intensely critical of her family members. But when the mic swings to a sister or mother, so does some part of allegiance. He does it well.

[Mimi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tolstoy famously opens "Anna Karenina" with the line, "Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." Dorris attempts to flesh out that idea in this novel, but it is without finesse or interesting characters.

Taking the basic idea that an unhappy marriage reverberates through the generations and that not fitting in is a lifelong trial, Dorris traces a family from Ireland to his main character in "Yellow Raft in Blue Water" with these themes weaving throughout.

However, the characters are flat and boring, and there's no tautness to the theme. While towards the end the steam starts to pick up, you are so weary of the characters and story by that time, it is difficult to care.

[T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was worried that the prequel couldn't live up to the first book but boy was I wrong! It is intriguing in the beginning and it builds from there with some humorous sections that had me laughing out loud, and so much to consider in the form of relationships and family. Its a terrific book!

[Meghan Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this one. Liked the way it spanned generations and was written from the various perspective of the characters.

[Gina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Loved Yellow Raft, couldn't get into this one.

[Steph · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing given how much I loved Yellow Raft on Blue Water

[Kat Masek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Cloud Chamber--it's been a long time since I read it. I know the hardcover was a gift to me when it came out, which was 1997. What a loss Michael Dorris was.

[Ed · Rating 3 out of 5]

The further I got in the book, the less I liked it. Almost made it to two stars...

[Cameron Chandler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael Dorris has always been in my top ten authors ever since he blew me away with “Yellow Raft in Blue Water.”

Recently I found Cloud Chamber at a Used Book Store and grabbed it. Lucky. I bought it because it was Dorris and I was pretty sure I hadn’t read it.

And, then I discovered it is a sort of prequel to Yellow Raft. It fills in the ancestry of the crew from Yellow Raft starting with a matriarch named Rose Mannion, the immigrant ancestor from Ireland whose descendants become the three generations who are the main characters in Yellow Raft.

So, if you are someone who agreed with me about Dorris and Yellow Raft, do yourself a favor and go find a copy of Cloud Chamber. Each book stands on it’s own, so no need to read them in any order. However, I’d read Yellow Raft first, and then do Cloud Chamber for the antecedent story to fill in more about the people on the yellow raft.

[Lora Shouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cloud Chamber is very much a character-driven story. And boy, does it have some characters!

The two driving forces in this generational family saga are the two Irish women, Rose Mannion McGarry and her daughter-in-law, Bridie O’Gara McGarry. Neither one is particularly likeable. The main reason for this is that both of them were in love with one man and married another, but then treated their husbands like dirt.

It’s not until we get to Bridie’s daughters, Edna and Marcella, that we come to some really sympathetic people. And not until they visit Marcella’s part African-American, part Native-American granddaughter for her naming ceremony that they get a chance to display their full capabilities.

[Sis3 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dorris is a wordy writer, often extending sentences beyond what is necessary. Some metaphors and images are very clear and appropriate, other times it’s annoying. This story follows almost 5 generations through a family- black, white, Native American, Irish ties. It all culminates in Rayona, an black Indian girl on the reservation who is the protagonist in Yellow Raft in Blue Water. I liked some of the family history and how it all tied together by the end, somewhat! Each chapter follows a different family member and moves along quickly——10 to 15 years inbetween voices! Family secrets, longing, family ties vs. religious obedience. Not for high school b/c it’s not that riveting!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book way more than I thought I would. I found it on my shelf, but don't remember how it got there. I had once started Yellow Raft on Blue Water, but couldn't get into it, so I didn't have high hopes for this one. It is told in multiple first person voices beginning with the Matriarch, Rose, in 19th Century Ireland. I found each distinct voice utterly believable and engaging. Each generation holds echoes from the ones who came before. I will go back and pick up Yellow Raft again, which is still on my shelf.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reviews on Goodreads often say something along the lines of "I hated this book...all the characters were so unlikeable". I never understood the connection. A book can be well-written and contain unloikable characters. Like CLoud Chamber. The prose is moving, and the characters--at least the first two generation of characters--are awful. Strong, hateful women and weak men. But this book is still worth the read.

[Therese Dotray-Tulloch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a delightful family saga of the mixed gene pools of Irish, black, and native American Indians where despite a myriad of differences, family truly is what really matters. The writing is both astonishingly profound in one sentence and hilariously funny the next. While I often don't like these types of books where a different character writes each chapter, I did fall in love with this one because each character was remarkably poignant chapter after chapter.

[Jules · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75. Different voices and a different type of family saga than many books I’ve read. Some “generations of family” stories feel too melodramatic or “women’s-bookclub-formulaic” to me. Cloud Chamber did not.

However, I didn’t care for the last chapter. The narrative felt completely out of sync with the rest of the book. I wanted to hear from Rayona, but her story (especially the KFC business) seemed weirdly forced to me.

[Bridget Yarusso · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a second time for me, but I couldn’t recall much from the first time. To be honest I may not remember the details but the theme is a powerful one as the author weaves together five generations of characters. The idea of family and their story, pain and triumph, decisions and discovery are carried on from parent to child. It was a little slow to start, however, the ending makes it worth the first and second read.

[Dale · Rating 2 out of 5]

library/well read friend SV. tells me this man committed suicide and now I know why…just not up to par with current ‘best books’, nonetheless, I finished it. Reportedly author was the spouse of Louise Erdrich, author of the Master Butcher’s Singing Club, not yet read but purchased ages ago. 1997 NYT Notable Book, 316 pgs., ‘found’ on the bookshelf @ Berea Library

[Leslie Reiber · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have rarely so disliked such a well-written book. The storyline is interesting but the main characters - mostly women - are generally shown as so vapid, or so unscrupulous, so vengeful, and so uncomfortably pious that they lack any realism. The word "incel" kept coming to mind- is that how they see women? Was Michael Dorris really so misogynistic?

[Josette Koets · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 generations of sons and daughters: each chapter spoken in first person from one of the family members. Different perspectives on their lives, and when all is said and done, every family has their rough edges, imperfections, hilarity and sadness, and secrets that may eventually make their way forward. The story begins in Ireland, makes its way to Kentucky and finally ends in Montana.

[Patricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading the front flap of this book, I thought it might be good. I really like family saga type books. I found it really dry in parts, some interesting, but really a strange family with characters that I just didn't like or care about. Glad it is over.

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

American contemp....late 1800 to near present, Ireland, Kentucky, Montana....character driven generational stories, rather disjointed. Starts as a ballad in Ireland and ends as a pop song at a Montana KFC.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story. Provides the closure that I wanted after reading "A Yellow Raft in Blue Water".

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gave this a 5 because it is a prequel to A yellow raft in blue water

Cloud Chamber should be read second as it was written

Well developed characters

[Jean Gallagher · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just couldn't get into this book. The characters just didn't interest me

[Robin Jansen · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is around the time of The Troubles in Ireland. I did not enjoy the book and didn't finish it.

[Adrienne Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I read Louise Erdrich's Love Medicine, I fell in love. I mapped out the complex relationships between characters as I read and reread her novels.

Then I started reading her interviews (not stalking, I should note, but research for my lit degree). Dorris milled around the periphery of Erdrich's development, but I really thought he crossed the line their interview with Bill Moyers. When he said they shared ownership of their novels, I got mad. He seemed the spousal equivalent of a stage parent: he seemed to be taking credit for his wife's work.

Tales of Burning Love (written near the end of their marriage) seemed a pale shadow of Erdrich's previous books, and I could never bring myself to finish it. Then came the divorce, the allegations, and Dorris' suicide. The ugliness of it all was overwhelming.

A few months later Erdrich's The Antelope Wife was released. I picked up my preordered copy as soon as possible. This book, which I expected to be troubled by Erdrich's personal stress, was a complete disaster.

Erdrich's compelling interweaving of narratives was replaced with a jumble of directionless voices. The story was more shock than subtle. The deft portrayal of emotion was gone.

That book left me with a strong suspicion that Dorris' claims of shared authorship in the Moyers' interview was more than competitive grandstanding by an overshadowed spouse. Their troubled biography pushed me away from the whole matter, and I only read Erdrich newer releases when they were selected by my book group. Her later fiction never surrounds me like the Tracks books. It feels contrived and problematic.

Which brings me to Cloud Chamber. I bought this book over 5 years ago, and once opened, I completed it in a 3-day reading (which is really quick for me these days).

As the story jumps through space and time, I recognized the mastery of structure.

And when I came upon this

More than one in Thebes had observed that either by design or accident, I had gone and married my mother.
I, on the other hand, suspected that in Bridie I had done her one better. Rose McGarry was formidable, but she was set in her ways, absorbed in herself, a known and tested quantity. She was a mother, after all. When a boy grew into manhood he could by marriage or the clergy leave home-- and Andrew's concession spared me the latter escape. When that occurred an unforgiving mother's presence changed from being a permanent condition to, on obliged visits, a season one could prepare for in advance and look forward to the conclusion of. A mother's grip was like winter, inevitable but predictable. You never knew how deep the snow would fall, how hard the wind would blow, how long the freeze would last, but you could depend upon and plan against the appearance of all three, sooner or later. As the cold weather-- or a dinner at the house on Bald Hill-- approached, a man knew to close the shutters, to watch lest the fires go completely out, to don woolen clothing. And as the night drew on a faith could be permitted to arise. Six 'clock was darkest January, seven, February, and so forth, but by ten or so there was a clear promise of spring in the outside air. Jonquils stirred in their roots, ice began to melt in soggy patches, and the freedom of shirtsleeves beckoned just beyond the doorway.
With a bitter wife, however, there was no such respite, save work. If your beloved's eyes were full of expectation and surprise, anything was possible. If she possessed a summery soul, a man's life was one long gambol through green and grassy fields. Even if she were thoughtful and reserved, there was still the hearty comfort of color and the smoking fires of leaves.

The voice rang familiar in its careful measurement.

It seems that I have loved Dorris' hand in Erdrich's work.

Knowing Dorris' circumstances paralleling its writing, it is no surprise that Cloud Chamber does not offer many of its quietly tormented characters reconciliation in their lives. Death however, seems to offer everyone peace.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I want to give Michael Dorris an award. Probably not any one that you are thinking of. I give him the award of Drama King. I never thought I would say it about a novel because you generally use your imagination in fiction, but his books are so twisted and tormented with drama, I don't think I can avoid that award. Dorris, the Drama King.

Next I would like to rate it, and not a stars sort of rating. I rate this book PG-13, except the first chapter should be more like PG-16.

Last I will do what I normally do. Pick a theme that I absolutely loved. His novel is a lot about not really fitting in anywhere is society. The trials and challenges that many face. But, I love the theme of acceptance. Accepting ourselves. Once we can do that, with all our flaws and mishaps, I think we begin to really enjoy life. Accepting and understanding our shortcomings can also make others' comments easier to bare. Great book. Good page turner. Well written. Definitely adult themes, though even a teenager could handle the content.