What do you think?
Rate this book
The Sharpest Sight
When Attis McCurtain, a Vietnam veteran of mixed Choctaw and other origins, dies, his uncle commands Attis' younger brother Cole to find and bury his brother's bones, and in the process Cole and his friend Mundo Morales come to terms with their mixed heritages
272 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1992
1 person is currently reading
246 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 27, 2021
Confession: I read Owens in reverse order. Nightland sounded appealing, so I read it and enjoyed it. I still find it to be Owens' most "accessible" (conventional?) novel - a relatively straightforward mystery/thriller with a modicum of Native American "mysticism". I think I described it as a cross between The Milagro Beanfield War and No Country for Old Men in my review, and I'll stick with that description.
Then I read Bone Game, again because the description seemed appealing and I'd already had on good experience with the author. I failed to note that The Sharpest Sight came before and that the main character of Bone Game was the same Cole McCurtain who played a prominent role in Sight. I stand by my review of Bone Game - had its moment but lacked an overall coherency that would have made it a better novel.
The Sharpest Sight is superior to Bone Game all the way around, despite a few shortcomings. The "mysticism" - dreams, visions, communication with spirits and spirit animals - is even greater than in either of the other novels, but it seems more skillfully interwoven than in Bone Game. Bone Game is in many ways derivative of The Sharpest Sight, but perhaps if I'd read them in the correct order my perspective would be different. The references to the events in Sharpest Sight were sufficient to keep Bone Game making sense to me, but if I'd had the background about Hoey, Uncle Luther, and Onatima my experience might have been richer.
As to the shortcomings of Sight, those mostly fall into the category of the unexplained or ambiguous - quite possibly by author's intent. The main murder mystery is never fully explained; I think I know who did it, but if I'm right, the motivation still eludes me. And if I'm wrong, then what is the correct answer?
Don't let that deter you from reading the novel. It's richer and more complex than I was giving it credit for during my read of the first half. I recommend Sight and Nightland (not connected). Bone Game, in my mind, is optional.
Then I read Bone Game, again because the description seemed appealing and I'd already had on good experience with the author. I failed to note that The Sharpest Sight came before and that the main character of Bone Game was the same Cole McCurtain who played a prominent role in Sight. I stand by my review of Bone Game - had its moment but lacked an overall coherency that would have made it a better novel.
The Sharpest Sight is superior to Bone Game all the way around, despite a few shortcomings. The "mysticism" - dreams, visions, communication with spirits and spirit animals - is even greater than in either of the other novels, but it seems more skillfully interwoven than in Bone Game. Bone Game is in many ways derivative of The Sharpest Sight, but perhaps if I'd read them in the correct order my perspective would be different. The references to the events in Sharpest Sight were sufficient to keep Bone Game making sense to me, but if I'd had the background about Hoey, Uncle Luther, and Onatima my experience might have been richer.
As to the shortcomings of Sight, those mostly fall into the category of the unexplained or ambiguous - quite possibly by author's intent. The main murder mystery is never fully explained; I think I know who did it, but if I'm right, the motivation still eludes me. And if I'm wrong, then what is the correct answer?
Don't let that deter you from reading the novel. It's richer and more complex than I was giving it credit for during my read of the first half. I recommend Sight and Nightland (not connected). Bone Game, in my mind, is optional.
Read
March 3, 2013Beautiful lyrical prose from the heart of a Vietnam vet who understands a world that is informed by the history of his ancestors. Has feet in many lands. Lands on many feet.
October 5, 2018
This book was extremely confusing at first. There are many different points of view throughout this story and it is sort of difficult to keep track of all of them. One of the characters has PTSD and sometimes it is confusing to tell when he is having visions or not. It is very hard to get into but once you get into the book you meet amazing characters. In total that's what the book is really about not necessarily the story but the characters themselves. If you research the author you realize that the book is also strongly about his story as well. The only reason I gave this book 3 stars is because I couldn't see myself in any of the characters.
More Notes from group discussions in my Native American Literature Class
Finding Identity in Indian Heritage when you are a cross-blood
a. Hoey takes pride in the Indian Heritage he has
b. Cole thinks of himself as being more Irish than Indian
-The book was pretty fast paced. Took a look at a lot of the different perspectives in the story.
-Talked about being subjective on what's real and what isn't with the cat and the body floating downstream, as well as the shadow in the corner of the room with Uncle Luther
-Talked about Native Americans being the highest people to get drafted and serve
- Most of the group decided that we do have a choice in deciding who we are and that it is not predecided
Cole’s struggle with his identity, he contemplated whether it was easier to identify with his Native self or his white self
- Hoey’s struggle with identity as well, scene in which he cuts his hair shows identity crisis
- the chapter in which Jessard destroyed his house but kept all of his books, “ dominant literature more important than land/place he lived”
- cyclical living, many native traditions revolve around circles, life cycles (positive and negative) are never-ending, history repeats himself
- how Native women are treated, how Uncle Luther treats women versus the rest of society
The cleansing hat Luther refers to is Cole realizing his true identity.
- Scott's views of Native Americans on page 168 summarize how many people see them as novelties instead of people.
- The grandfather is the trickster, but not by choice. He, along with Luther, wants to find peace for Attis that could never be attained during his life.
- Cole is understandable for his struggle with identity.
- If the entire world doesn't know who they are, the warrior is someone who can understand their identity and adapt to changes.
-Talked about the themes of the book
-The importance of identity
-The lack of car for native american people (no justice from the government, led to them taking matters into their own hands)
-Discussed what was real or not (the panther, the shadow, the ghosts...)
-Discussed the violence and what certain events led to other events
-Went of over the overall symbolism of the book (The river, the connection to Vietnam, and life in general
-Took in the whole book in general (why it was written the way it was, why they certain characters acted certain ways, etc.)
More Notes from group discussions in my Native American Literature Class
Finding Identity in Indian Heritage when you are a cross-blood
a. Hoey takes pride in the Indian Heritage he has
b. Cole thinks of himself as being more Irish than Indian
-The book was pretty fast paced. Took a look at a lot of the different perspectives in the story.
-Talked about being subjective on what's real and what isn't with the cat and the body floating downstream, as well as the shadow in the corner of the room with Uncle Luther
-Talked about Native Americans being the highest people to get drafted and serve
- Most of the group decided that we do have a choice in deciding who we are and that it is not predecided
Cole’s struggle with his identity, he contemplated whether it was easier to identify with his Native self or his white self
- Hoey’s struggle with identity as well, scene in which he cuts his hair shows identity crisis
- the chapter in which Jessard destroyed his house but kept all of his books, “ dominant literature more important than land/place he lived”
- cyclical living, many native traditions revolve around circles, life cycles (positive and negative) are never-ending, history repeats himself
- how Native women are treated, how Uncle Luther treats women versus the rest of society
The cleansing hat Luther refers to is Cole realizing his true identity.
- Scott's views of Native Americans on page 168 summarize how many people see them as novelties instead of people.
- The grandfather is the trickster, but not by choice. He, along with Luther, wants to find peace for Attis that could never be attained during his life.
- Cole is understandable for his struggle with identity.
- If the entire world doesn't know who they are, the warrior is someone who can understand their identity and adapt to changes.
-Talked about the themes of the book
-The importance of identity
-The lack of car for native american people (no justice from the government, led to them taking matters into their own hands)
-Discussed what was real or not (the panther, the shadow, the ghosts...)
-Discussed the violence and what certain events led to other events
-Went of over the overall symbolism of the book (The river, the connection to Vietnam, and life in general
-Took in the whole book in general (why it was written the way it was, why they certain characters acted certain ways, etc.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2018
In The Sharpest Sight, Louis Owens explores the theme of self discovery. This story follows the Cole McCurtain, a young man of Irish and Choctaw descent, in the wake of the murder of his brother. The death of Cole’s brother sparks a series of events that end up leading to more violence and death. As several people attempt to solve the murder of the brother, who was in a mental hospital for murdering a young woman while suffering from PTSD and mental illness from the Vietnam War, the author switches between a few characters perspectives to give insight on everybody’s different agendas and thought processes.
Louis Owens is able to create a fairly believable murder mystery while also weaving in aspects of real life. Owens shows some problems Native Americans often face. For instance, the struggle of knowing what to identify with. The main character struggles with particularly issue the most. Because of his mixed blood and heritage, he does not know whether to take in his traditional native heritage or forget about it and live out his days like everybody else. Owens also shows how people on Native people on reservations often have to seek their own justice, which often differs from federal justice. Because of the laws set up by the government, the only people that have jurisdiction on reservations is the FBI, and often times, they end up not accomplishing anything. This leads many Native’s to solving things themselves. Owens also explores the concept of PTSD and mental illness in the lives of many Native American vets.
The Sharpest Sight ends up being a successful murder mystery novel that explores real life problems along the way. With an engaging plot and interesting characters, this story will keep the reader turning pages until the end, which just so happens to be written a way that leaves the reader wanting more.
Louis Owens is able to create a fairly believable murder mystery while also weaving in aspects of real life. Owens shows some problems Native Americans often face. For instance, the struggle of knowing what to identify with. The main character struggles with particularly issue the most. Because of his mixed blood and heritage, he does not know whether to take in his traditional native heritage or forget about it and live out his days like everybody else. Owens also shows how people on Native people on reservations often have to seek their own justice, which often differs from federal justice. Because of the laws set up by the government, the only people that have jurisdiction on reservations is the FBI, and often times, they end up not accomplishing anything. This leads many Native’s to solving things themselves. Owens also explores the concept of PTSD and mental illness in the lives of many Native American vets.
The Sharpest Sight ends up being a successful murder mystery novel that explores real life problems along the way. With an engaging plot and interesting characters, this story will keep the reader turning pages until the end, which just so happens to be written a way that leaves the reader wanting more.
November 1, 2018
I am a student at the University of Nebraska Lincoln taking English 245N which is Intro to Native American Literature. One of the novels was a foundational text called "The Sharpest Sight" by Louis Owens. I have read many novels throughout my schooling but I would rank this book as one of the best that I have read. I would have to say that there were parts of the book that didn't make sense to me but they are overpowered in the details the overall quality of the book.
The novel is based around a mixed blood Vietnam vet, Attis McCurtain, who is seen in the opening chapter floating down a California river with a bullet through his heart. Everybody believes that it was an act of suicide because of the PTSD that soldiers have when they come back home but Mundo Morales, Attis's friend; and Cole McCurtain, Attis's brother, thinks it was a murder and they try and solve the crime by interrogating people and following the clues and senses they have.
Altogether this book was a good read. I like how the author, Louis Owens, composed it as a mystery because I feel like it pulls the reader in more to try and find out what happens in the end. I also liked how he didn't tell the story from one characters point of view, he the point of views from Mundo Morales, Cole McCurtain, and Uncle Luther. It makes the story more interesting to read and then you also get a feeling of what is going through different peoples minds when such a tragic event happens. A book always has positives but it also has negatives and I think one thing I wish the author did was make the ending better. When reading this book I believe that everything was told in great detail but I wish the ending was put in more detail.
The novel is based around a mixed blood Vietnam vet, Attis McCurtain, who is seen in the opening chapter floating down a California river with a bullet through his heart. Everybody believes that it was an act of suicide because of the PTSD that soldiers have when they come back home but Mundo Morales, Attis's friend; and Cole McCurtain, Attis's brother, thinks it was a murder and they try and solve the crime by interrogating people and following the clues and senses they have.
Altogether this book was a good read. I like how the author, Louis Owens, composed it as a mystery because I feel like it pulls the reader in more to try and find out what happens in the end. I also liked how he didn't tell the story from one characters point of view, he the point of views from Mundo Morales, Cole McCurtain, and Uncle Luther. It makes the story more interesting to read and then you also get a feeling of what is going through different peoples minds when such a tragic event happens. A book always has positives but it also has negatives and I think one thing I wish the author did was make the ending better. When reading this book I believe that everything was told in great detail but I wish the ending was put in more detail.
June 28, 2021
Greatly enjoyed it - this novels flows in unruly ways. It takes its time and might confuse you for a bit, but stick with it as the layers unfold and the tale of a crime takes on an ever larger spirit of magic and history, of cultures nearly lost in the uncaring folds of white man’s progress. Before long, nothing is what it seems and that which is hidden, thought lost, even, returns with patience and strength.
March 17, 2019
Not a bad novel, but I enjoyed the part where Cole is visiting his uncle in Louisiana more than the mystery back home. The tone overall was too reminiscent of the hard-bitten white male writers of the past. This was first published about 25 years ago, and that explains part of it, but with so many more voices out there that style reads as somewhat archaic now.
May 1, 2018
I don't like how the female characters are largely portrayed, but this is an undeniably important and complex novel.
September 15, 2019
I love weaving through the stories and identities of the characters in this novel. A little hard to follow at times, but it took me the way Bless Me Ultima had.
May 27, 2021
Good mystery with great character development. Again the mistreatment of the Native American thru history effects the characters.
March 18, 2017
Simply put: Not for me.
August 19, 2017
wonderful wonderful
Read
December 26, 2015I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/11950511
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/11950511
March 28, 2017
Review: The Sharpest Sight by Louis Owens. 3.5★'s 03/28/2017
Louis Owens well-written story was powerful and with characteristic individuals in contemporary Native American fiction. He writes with accuracy, confidence and from the heart literature that keeps his readers intrigued. Owens uses mythology, beliefs, history and the culture of Native Americans (Indians) and Hispanic throughout his story. Entwined in the story he also covers the effects and flashbacks of individuals of the Vietnam War. I was interested in the psychic healing, police procedural, the exploration of self-discovery and the magical realism that Owens expressed with efficiently.
Attis McCurtain returns home from serving in the Vietnam War in a confused state that changed his life and the life of his friends and family members. He committed a horrible crime that led to the death of his girlfriend and was incarcerated in an insane facility until the night someone out for revenge was setting Attis up to escape, and he did. His best friend Mundo Morales who is Mexican-American, also a Vietnam Vet, and is now a sheriff’s deputy was headed home the same night and thought he saw Attis floating in the river. At that time he hadn’t known about the escape until Attis’s uncle Luther met Mundo at his home moments later and verified Attis was dead. Luther had a vision of what Mundo thought he saw in the river.
After the escape the FBI authorities got involved but Mundo met with Attis’s younger brother Carl do their own investigating in the disappearance of Attis. The small town of Amarga, Calf, where they all lived was mostly poverty stricken and some back woods feud issues that was only handled in one way. If you harm someone in their family they harm someone in your family. It was their way of living no matter who was the victim next in line. However, Mundo was going to try to prevent any harm to anyone and do what was right by the law.
The other out of town authorities didn’t care what happened and only wanted the issue hushed and dropped. The little town of Amarga was full of sinners, secrets and strong racism against its Native Americans and Chicano inhabitants. Louis Owens opens up the issues of prejudices, betrayals, violent crimes, and the forces of the dead Spirit’s hovering over the living. Owens created plenty of interesting individuals to keep the story flowing, some living others as spirits. Between the history, cultures, and the Spirit World Louis Owens did a wonderful job connecting it all together to make it unfold like reality.
Louis Owens well-written story was powerful and with characteristic individuals in contemporary Native American fiction. He writes with accuracy, confidence and from the heart literature that keeps his readers intrigued. Owens uses mythology, beliefs, history and the culture of Native Americans (Indians) and Hispanic throughout his story. Entwined in the story he also covers the effects and flashbacks of individuals of the Vietnam War. I was interested in the psychic healing, police procedural, the exploration of self-discovery and the magical realism that Owens expressed with efficiently.
Attis McCurtain returns home from serving in the Vietnam War in a confused state that changed his life and the life of his friends and family members. He committed a horrible crime that led to the death of his girlfriend and was incarcerated in an insane facility until the night someone out for revenge was setting Attis up to escape, and he did. His best friend Mundo Morales who is Mexican-American, also a Vietnam Vet, and is now a sheriff’s deputy was headed home the same night and thought he saw Attis floating in the river. At that time he hadn’t known about the escape until Attis’s uncle Luther met Mundo at his home moments later and verified Attis was dead. Luther had a vision of what Mundo thought he saw in the river.
After the escape the FBI authorities got involved but Mundo met with Attis’s younger brother Carl do their own investigating in the disappearance of Attis. The small town of Amarga, Calf, where they all lived was mostly poverty stricken and some back woods feud issues that was only handled in one way. If you harm someone in their family they harm someone in your family. It was their way of living no matter who was the victim next in line. However, Mundo was going to try to prevent any harm to anyone and do what was right by the law.
The other out of town authorities didn’t care what happened and only wanted the issue hushed and dropped. The little town of Amarga was full of sinners, secrets and strong racism against its Native Americans and Chicano inhabitants. Louis Owens opens up the issues of prejudices, betrayals, violent crimes, and the forces of the dead Spirit’s hovering over the living. Owens created plenty of interesting individuals to keep the story flowing, some living others as spirits. Between the history, cultures, and the Spirit World Louis Owens did a wonderful job connecting it all together to make it unfold like reality.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews