The Canyon

Zia Books

by Jack Schaefer

Based on a Cheyenne legend, this novel holds universal appeal as it explores the theme of a man's conflict with his culture. It is the story of how Little Bear, a Cheyenne warrior who opposes war, reconciles the conflict between his personal values and the demands of his tribe. The dilemma faced by Little Bear gives rise to a story that is at once a compelling adventure tale, an authentic description of Indian life and ritual, and a parable of self-realization. First published in 1953, The Canyon remained one of Schaefer's personal favorites. This new release will be welcomed by Schaefer's enduring admirers and by new Western literature enthusiasts. It is a classic not to be missed.

Genres: Westerns, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Adventure, Novels

132 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1953

About the author

Schaefer was born in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of an attorney. He graduated from Oberlin College in 1929 with a major in English. He attended graduate school at Columbia University from 1929-30, but left without completing his Master of Arts degree. He then went to work for the United Press. In his long career as a journalist, he would hold editorial positions at many eastern publications.

Schaefer's first success as a novelist came in 1949 with his memorable novel Shane, set in Wyoming. Few realized that Schaefer himself had never been anywhere near the west. Nevertheless, he continued writing successful westerns, selling his home in Connecticut and moving to Santa Fe, New Mexico in 1955.

In 1975 Schaefer received the Western Literature Association's Distinguished Achievement award.

He died of heart failure in Santa Fe in 1991. Schaefer was married twice, his second wife moving to Santa Fe with him.

Schaefer's novel Monte Walsh was made into a movie in 1970, with Lee Marvin in the title role, and again in 2003 as a TV movie starring Tom Selleck. Shane was also made into a movie and a series.

from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Sch...

Reviews

[M.J. Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella belonged to my grandfather who died fifty years ago. I just discovered Jack Schaefer in a recently read anthology of Western writers. This is a beautifully written tale, told very simply in a style that resembles a song or fable. It has an environmental message highly relevant to our own time and a strong message too about the fragility and importance of our family/tribal cultures and beliefs.

There were three other short stories in the crumbling paperback edition I read (priced in old British money at 2/6 (12.5p)), these were thoroughly enjoyable too - all very well written. Smashing!

[Henry · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Canyon is a good enough book and an interesting read, though I’m left pondering a few points. Luckily I think food for thought is possibly one of the greatest gifts an author can give a reader (even when it occurs unintentionally).

Schaefer’s writing here feels distinctly idiosyncratic at times, often replacing his usual sprawling, lyrical prose with matter-of-fact, far-off stoicism. Sometimes you get paragraph-long sentences and you go “Jack! It’s you!” but other times it’s these strings of statements that feel totally alien in the Schaeferverse. I want to clarify that it is not poorly written in the slightest, just that it stands apart from his usual style.

Another note to make is that it’s completely unclear to me whether the characterization of the Cheyenne people is praiseworthy, questionable, or a bit of both. I’m assuming that not many best-selling authors wrote books in 1953 in which all of the characters were American Indians. I think that alone counts for something, and the fact that was clearly done with extensive research makes me think it’s even more noteworthy. Emphasis being on “think”, as I know next to nothing about the Cheyenne people. In fact, everything I do know is based off information I read in this very book lmao. It’s possible the level of mysticism here would be labeled “really uncool” by those more knowledgeable than I, but it seems to me like the book was written with the intent to show nothing but the utmost respect for the people it depicts. Take that for what it’s worth.

Also, I was struck by how quickly the final act occurs.
It almost felt like Jack was getting low on ink and he had to wrap things up before he ran out. Maybe this is an attempt at conveying the inevitability of the story’s outcome. That could be interesting. It’s very likely that isn’t the case, but we can pretend.

All things considered, it’s fine! I don’t know if I would call it an essential entry in Jack Schaefer’s body of work, though it was apparently one of Schaefer’s favorites among his own books. Does that really mean anything? I don’t know the answer to that either. Actually, it only raises more questions.

Anyways, that was my fourth Jack Schaefer book. I’ll see you next time in COMPANY OF COWARDS.

[Jmlanier1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Published in 1953, this western novel is the story of Little Bear, a Cheyenne boy, as he grows into manhood. The canyon provides Little Bear some of his greatest challenges and greatest victories over a span of many years. This is a fun adventure tale with emphasis on Cheyenne customs.

[Austin Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐

[Shanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little Bear didn't really fit in, so when he finds himself cut off from the world, he doesn't really mind. That is, until he feels something is missing. In the end, it is all about compromise. Schaefer does a great job of setting background and layering events so that the story has a nice flow.

[Judith Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Jack Schaefer! I loved this book, and the story Cooter James made me feel happy on an otherwise devastating post-Brexit day ...

[David Stephens · Rating 3 out of 5]

With The Canyon, it’s clear that Jack Schaefer did his research. This early novel of his exhibits the details of the Cheyenne nation (as well as some other tribes in the old Montana region) and definitely strives for accuracy in its portrayal of a young indigenous warrior who gets caught between his own beliefs and those of the people who raised him.

But the story never quite reaches the heights it seeks, as the impression Schaefer draws never feels authentic. The simple sentence constructions and repetition can only impart the faux-wisdom of facsimile rather than a legitimate native experience. And for all the book’s focus on the conflict of the individual versus society, Schaefer doesn’t seem to have much to say on the topic. He appears content to end the story on a vague non-answer to the very question he’s posed.

For as disappointing as I found this book, I do at least appreciate that while Schaefer could have hung his hat on his fame from his first novel Shane and repeated that story again and again, he chose to try something different, which, to me, is one of the signs of a writer worth coming back to.

[Donald Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A unique book. I picked it up because I’ve enjoyed other Schaefer titles (Shane, Monte Walsh). This one tells the tale of a Cheyenne man in the time prior to contact with the white men. It tells the story from the perspective of native thinking and spirituality. I have no way of telling how accurate it is, but I have the sense that Schaefer researched carefully.

The story deals with the tension between individualism and communalism. Not sure communalism is quite the right word. The protagonist learns he cannot simply live out his own life his own way. He needs other people to as well.

The book is short. The reader also reads the other Schaefer books, he seems just right to me.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first Jack Schaefer book that I have read in years. I expected something different for a story line. I was surprised to find that this book features Cheyenne and to a much lesser extent, Crow Indians prior to extensive white contact. I enjoyed it a lot.

This is an old book. If you are not familiar or do not like the writing style of western novels written prior to the 1970s I would advise you skip this one. I happen to like books like this and enjoyed it very much.

[Stan Wakefield · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my second Schaefer novel (the first was Shane) and I found it very enjoyable. I liked that it was written from the perspective of pre-European Native Americans. The simplicity & challenges of life at the time and the people were a refreshing change from the post-European period when the lives, cultures, and the very existence of Native peoples were radically & brutally transformed. Given his excellent writing style, I'll probably look for another Schaefer novel to read.

[Robert Hepple · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published in 1953, 'The Canyon' is a novella in the Western genre following the fortunes of native American following his becoming trapped in an isolated canyon. My edition includes an additional three short stories. All are of a superior quality which I found just amazing, it was hard to choose any one over another.

[Tamp_kh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Неожиданно удачно можно увидеть рядового шайенна и как отдельного представителя своего народа, и как элемент племени, поставив его в структуру индейских взаимоотношений...
И именно здесь показано тонкая граница между человеком и природой.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good. About a short Comanche brave who is adopted by another tribe. He is a great hunter but he refuses to kill people. He wanders alone and searches for his love.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good story that ended strangely. I like the poetic and prose of this story. I would recommend it to High Schoolers and Adults. The only problem I had was that it ended too quickly.

[Jeff Bradbury · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent story!

[Cora Mabry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful and well-written book. The narration was excellent as well.

[Riley T]

Im at home with a broken foot, this was not the book for me to read

[Evie Samaha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Left me understanding the human condition.

[Chrisl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quote from book Jack Schaefer - “The Canyon”

“The sun was warm on Little Bear and the badger watching each other. His mind was filled with many thoughts and many questions but he did not speak. He sat still and the movements of his mind slowed and the sun was warm on him and his head dropped forward in drowsiness. The badger looked at him and its eyes became very bright. It spoke. ‘Big brother,’ it said, ‘why do you feel that this canyon is a cage?’ The eyes of the badger dimmed and closed and after a time they opened again and were very bright. ‘All men live in cages,’ it said. ‘They are shut in on all sides by rock walls of custom and the desire for the good opinion of their neighbors. They are bound by the need to provide food for their families.’ The eyes of badger dimmed and ... It stood up on its short bowed legs and turned to go. It swung its head back for a last look at him. “There is a way,’ it said. ‘Stones piled upon stones rise upward. Rock striking on rock chips away small pieces …’”


Review copied and pasted from "
KIRKUS REVIEW

There is a folk lore telling to this Indian story which gives it a quality of universality, and in turn points to the message that man cannot live alone. For Little Bear felt the scars of being an orphan, having short legs and not wanting to be a warrior, and none of his feats of riding or hunting could compensate. A visit to the wise man sends him to a four day rite of starvation, during which he falls into the hidden canyon and there- in spite of a broken leg- proves his ability to survive. He heals his leg, kills buffalo for food and clothing, fights a puma, and finally discovers a way out. His search for a wife entils courage and daring but Spotted Turtle is willing to return to the canyon with him. All goes well until their son is born and dies, and Little Bear makes the hard decision to leave the place he loves for the happiness of his wife and his children to come.... A legendary feeling to the detail of Indian life and ways, a deep sense of Indian psychology and character give this simple tale depth and vision. Schaefer is well remembered for Shane.
Pub Date: Nov. 9th, 1953
Publisher: Houghton, Mifflin-Ballantine

[Joyce · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, wish I had liked this more. Interesting that Schaefer thought so highly of it. I love Shane and was interested in another book by the author--in fact, I wondered if he had only written one. Western from Indian's point of view. Evocative, almost allegorical perhaps. But I didn't notice much action. Interior look at the character; he does some to terms with his life and has adventures. Just not what I expected. Or wanted.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to this book on tape and the narrator was only average and that may have affected my opinion of the book. I like the lead character, Little Bear, and he had very interesting adventures. I also liked learning about the Cheyenne culture. What bothered me about the book is that the writing seemed very simple, but maybe that was intentional to reflect the native language?

This was a very short book.

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story, with an ending I didn't quite see coming. Portrays an Indian as having a deep understanding of nature but with some things yet to learn about human nature. Successfully strikes a medium between portraying Indian culture as barbaric and as utopian.

[Lisa B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book many many years ago - belongs to my Mother - quick read and kept my attention - i'll read again.

[Patrick McMullin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice read about Indigenous life before the arrival of Europeans.