The Owl's Song

by Janet Campbell Hale

Billy White Hawk leaves his Idaho reservation in search of a better life in California, where instead he encounters hatred and hostility that are increasingly difficult to cope with

Genres: Fiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

Janet Campbell Hale (born January 11, 1946, Riverside, California) is a Native American writer. Her father was a full-blood Coeur d'Alene, and her mother was of Kootenay, Cree and Irish descent.

Her work often explores issues of Native American identity and discusses poverty, abuse, and the condition of women in society. She wrote Bloodlines: Odyssey of a Native Daughter, which includes a discussion of the Native American experience as well as stories from her own life. She also wrote The Owl's Song, The Jailing of Cecilia Capture and Women on the Run.

Janet Campbell Hale currently lives on the Coeur d'Alene Reservation in De Smet, Idaho.

(from Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Jim Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

This could have been a classic of Native literature, but The Owl’s Song has not aged that well. Lots of clichés about both Indians and blacks, and a rather confusing and rushed ending concerning Billy White Hawk’s manhood vision, marred it for me. Still there is much to like about this book. Hale’s portrayal of a confused, wounded teenager as he tries to navigate the native and white world is heart wrenching, as is his family story.

[Sharon Buxton · Rating 2 out of 5]

C-. fiction contemporary, Native American, from stash, discard

[Denise · Rating 2 out of 5]

A novel of one man who has lost his cultural identity, and sees it in others, recognizing how his people has lost it's way. Sounds good? Not really. It wasn't very well written, I could not get myself to feel for the character, if something happened, I would just think, huh, that sucks...moving on.

[Ryan Mishap · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mid 1970's novel of a young Indian from Idaho moving to the city and experiencing high school at a predominantly African-american school. Short, with simple language that conveys complexities, this is recommended.