Walking the Choctaw Road: Stories From Red People Memory

by Tim Tingle

In Walking the Choctaw Road , Tingle reaches far back into tribal memory to offer this deeply personal collection of stories woven from the supernatural, mythical, historical and oral accounts of Choctaw people living today. Native American storyteller Joe Bruchac says, “For a good many years now, Tim Tingle has been one of my favorite American story-tellers. Walking the Choctaw Road . . . will stay with you and lend you some of its strength. Cross the river with these stories—they’ll give you safe passage.” Tim Tingle lives in Canyon Lake, Texas. His appearances throughout the nation push book sales. The cloth edition of this book sold out in little more than a year and is now in its second printing.

Genres: Native American, Short Stories, History, Nonfiction, Indigenous, Audiobook, Westerns

152 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2003

About the author

Tim Tingle, a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, is a popular presenter at storytelling and folklore festivals across America. He was featured at the 2002 National Storytelling Festival. In 2004, he was a Teller-In-Residence at The International Storytelling Center, Jonesborough, Tennessee. Choctaw Chief Gregory Pyle has requested a story by Tingle previous to his Annual State of the Nation Address at the Choctaw Labor Day Gathering--a celebration that attracts over thirty thousand people-- from 2002 to the present.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listen to the audio CD if you must, but if you can get a copy of the paper or ebook, please at least look at it for all the enlightening, moving, and beautiful photos. There is no artistic interpretation here. These are the Choctaw people in the illustrations. They usually aren't exactly the same individuals as in the stories, but they are definitely representative individuals. And some are members of Tingle's family, as he tells of more modern Choctaw life.

I think the boarding school story might have been the hardest for me to read. Bad things happening to children just gets me every time, no matter how many stories I read about the experience.

My favorite story is *Lizbeth and the Madstone.* The characters are more interestingly complex - in a few of the other stories they are almost more iconographic than individual.

I've also read some of Tingle's picture-books. One story is almost the same here, but without the wonderful art. But the *Saltypie* story is not the same.

I do recommend Tingle's other works, too. They are always (iirc) based on real history, as passed down by elders. Any fantastical elements are no more 'myth' than stories from bible; what matters is not 100% facts, but Truth grounded in reality.

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book comes in two editions, an audiobook on four compact discs (0938317822) and a 142-page print version (0938317741). The print version has a glossary of Choctaw words, lyrics for two hymns in Choctaw, a short bibliography, photographic illustrations, and some introductory material not included in the audio. The audio, however, has the voice, intonation, accent, and timing of a master storyteller. The print version is a handsome book, but compared to the audio it’s like reading a play of Shakespeare silently versus attending a performance by the Royal Shakespeare Company. It’s interesting supplementary material, but it might only be interesting to the reader who’s experienced the original mesmerizing performance.

The eleven tales and concluding poem are arranged chronologically and geographically beginning at the beginning of the nineteenth century in Mississippi and Alabama and moving with the Choctaw people on their Trail of Tears to Oklahoma to Mr. Tingle’s own childhood in Pasadena, Texas and on to the beginning of the twenty-first century. There are supernatural stories of shape shifters and Christianity, of good and bad people, pride and humiliation, history and miracles. It is a trail well worth taking.

[ShirleyS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great collection of stories that give insight into the culture of the Choctaw people and their history. I intend to find the audio version since several reviewers have mentioned how compelling it is to hear a master storyteller tell the stories.

[Ray Zimmerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tin Tingle has created a milestone by collecting traditional Choctaw stories in this book. He listened to the elders and continues to retell their stories to keep the traditions vibrant. Videos of him telling some of the stories are available on YouTube.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of stories from the Choctaw People is intriguing for its subtleties. The readers learns more about the tribe's culture when looking between the lines; each story provides an opportunity to think about what is most meaningful and lasting. Appropriately, the tone of each tale varies depending upon the subject matter. The author includes story-lessons from his own life but puts the spotlight on stories he has collected from others.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful collection of Choctaw stories, arranged chronologically from the homelands to 20th century Oklahoma. was not expecting to tear up at any of them, much less several.

[Noelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really healing

A lot of spiritual healing happened reading every part of this. Seeing the suffering that happened especially with the trails of tears made it feel much more personal to me than it had ever been. Seeing the white supremacist violence aimed at our removal so violently all the time too made me realize how angry I do have a right to be and I am legitimate as a tribal member who needs to build up these basic foundations of reading when I don't have access to elders.

[Cynthia Lauritsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was incredible. I only vaguely remember learning about the trail of tears in school and found this book on a list of books but wanted to read it before assigning it to my kids for homeschool. While I decided it was too grim for my 2nd and 5th graders, It was extremely touching and I do expect to assign this when they’re older. I listened to the audible, which I think really added to the story and I couldn’t “put it down”.
This was not my typical book but I really feel like this added value to my life and perspective of this hard time in American history.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a wonderful collection of Choctaw stories and history. Going back over 100 years he tells the stories of different Choctaw as they faced hardship and discrimination. Yet these people remained true to themselves. His journey in collecting these stories to make this book is a testiment to keeping them alive. Since I am of Choctaw descent, this is something that is very meaningful and heartfelt.

[Meg Rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the audio version, the narrator, being Choctaw, spoke and chanted in his native tongue where that was in print. This was beautiful and impactful to me as the listener. The story he tells is based on the history of his people's mistreatment, their dignity, determination, resilience, on a daily and yearly basis, much to be admired.

[ana laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

De longe meu livro preferido que li pra dissertação até agora. Lindíssimo mesmo. Ele diz que os Choctaw são um povo de milagres, e eu só entendi quando ele começou a contar as histórias. Era o que eu mais precisava agora, um pouco de esperança e criatividade, e minha admiração por autores Choctaw só cresce. Agora quero comprar físico pra ter comigo.

[Andrea Engle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chronologically arranged, these folk-tales and stories from the Choctaw Nation are a moving testament to their resilience, creativity, and decency ... accompanied by a short bibliography entitled “Further Readings on the Choctaws” ... includes marvelous period photographs ... spell-binding ...

[Rodney Ridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not for everyone but I liked it. Folk stories that are from the Choctaw history I always appreciate. Some good photographs including a couple from early Riverside I dian school which was still operating when I was in school. I remember playing them in baseball.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

A masterpiece. Very stirring.

[Nichole · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to feel more connected to the characters than I did. Maybe short stories aren't my thing.

[Dayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have 1% Native American blood, and my great grandmother lived in Oklahoma in or near the Five Tribes Reservations. We were told that we came from the Choctaw Nation.

[Maya · Rating 5 out of 5]

A superior read. Highly recommended.

[Julie]

Pheonix Award winner

[Megan McCormick · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly beautiful, moving collection of stories. Couldn't put this book down!

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book comes in two editions, an audiobook on four compact discs (0938317822) and a 142-page print version (0938317741). The print version has a glossary of Choctaw words, lyrics for two hymns in Choctaw, a short bibliography, photographic illustrations, and some introductory material not included in the audio. The audio, however, has the voice, intonation, accent, and timing of a master storyteller. The print version is a handsome book, but compared to the audio it’s like reading a play of Shakespeare silently versus attending a performance by the Royal Shakespeare Company. It’s interesting supplementary material, but it might only be interesting to the reader who’s experienced the original mesmerizing performance.

The eleven tales and concluding poem are arranged chronologically and geographically beginning at the beginning of the nineteenth century in Mississippi and Alabama and moving with the Choctaw people on their Trail of Tears to Oklahoma to Mr. Tingle’s own childhood in Pasadena, Texas and on to the beginning of the twenty-first century. There are supernatural stories of shape shifters and Christianity, of good and bad people, pride and humiliation, history and miracles. It is a trail well worth taking.

[Margaret Mcmanis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walking the Choctow Road makes you laugh and cry . Its collection of stories takes you on a spirit quest of the best kind through the world of the Choctaw as seen through the eyes of one of the most gifted of Native American storytellers, Tim Tingle. Favorites of the collection include:
The Trail of Tears, Tony Byars, and Crossing Bok Chitto but you must read them all. Tim is a national treasure and if you check out his website you will see why. He has told stories at the Smithsonian Museum, George Bush Library and across the U.S. and Europe. He has a storyteller workshop in July in Sante Fe, N.M.
His book Crossing BOk Chitto is a nominee for the Texas Bluebonnet award and it is a winner in my book.

[T. Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

From what I have read so far, this is a good book. It is composed of several short stories that chronicle stories of the Choctaw people. In the "Crossing of Bok Chitto", Tingle describes an encounter between the Choctaw people and runaway slaves who are assisted by a path of stones built originally by the Choctaw.

This story is particulary important as the relationship bewteen African-American slaves and Native Americans is not often discussed. I certainly learned more about inherent distrust for slave owners by the Choctaw people. This is new knowledge that I will pass on to my students.

[LindaN · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author, a Choctaw storyteller, tells the story of the Choctaw people through tales of everyday life and remembered historical events. Stories include one of slaves escaping to Indian land on a path across a big river, one of a young boy's memories of the Trail of Tears, one of a family taking in an abandoned infant, and many others. The reader learns of the people's strong family devotion, respect for nature, and respect for the departed. The book concludes with the author's memories of his father and grandmother. This is a quietly wonderful book, conveying the spirit and feel of Choctaw life and culture.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tim Tingle is a master storyteller, and this excellent audio CD of his short story collection is proof of that. The stories vary in tone and subject, but all are well told as Tingle uses his voice, Indian flute, and drum to draw the listener into the tale. Some of the stories are memoirs from Tingle's life or the lives of acquaintances while others are reminiscent of folk tales, but all are Tingle's creation. Listening to this fine audio disk is the next best thing to sitting in a live storytelling session!

[Kyle McCreary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have not laughed and cried from the same book in a long, long time. Tim Tingle's stories of the Choctaw people are a wonderful mix of dreadful and delightful, thought-provoking and invigorating. I listened to the book on CD narrated by the author himself. I cannot remember the last time I enjoyed the drive to work quite so much. I am so glad I stumbled upon this book at the library, and I expect I will soon purchase a copy of my own. Walking the Choctaw Road is a hidden treasure that everyone should seek out.

[Ady · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the short stories told by storyteller Tim Tingle on audiobook. He is a master storyteller and recounts the tales of his people, the Choctaw people, with skill and talent. Some stories can make you laugh. Others will cause you to cry. This treasure of short stories is a wonderful account of a culture and people that I feel expanded my mind and softened my heart. I would not have found this book if it were not for the Read Harder challenge, and this book made the challenge worth it to me.

[Renny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am grateful as I experienced the stories in the book while watching a PBS special at the same time: WHERE GOD LIKES TO BE (A documentary about three young members of the Blackfeet Tribe in Montana who, over the course of one summer, face turning points in their lives. Edward wants a job, but hasn't received any offers, so he marks time playing metal music with his band; Andi is leaving home to attend college, but feels lonely and out of place once on campus; and Doug). It was like stepping into the shoes of another for a while and experiencing all of life there is.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Tim Tingle's collection of stories about the Red People and his works make me want to hear more about the hardships, culture and daily life of these great people. Tingle touches on the injustices and cruelty done to the Choctaw (and other tribes) by white settlers and the US government, but he does it gently, weaving it into the story, without bitterness or blame.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook. I wish I could give this book two different ratings - one for how well done it was (5 stars- Tim Tingle's talent is really quite remarkable) and one for how I felt about it personally (3 stars - didn't change my life or anything, but it was a fine thing to listen to, and quite enjoyable).

[Darlis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This cd is amazing! The author is a storyteller, not just a reader. The author/storyteller speaks with the patois of the Choctaw so the stories seem even truer. The stories are incredibly touching. This is definitely one to listen to.