Crack at Dusk Crook of Dawn: A Novel of Discovery

Winona Trilogy #3

by Priscilla Cogan

"In this universe, there are Good Spirits, Trickster Spirits, and Evil Spirits," announced Winona, the elderly Sioux medicine woman, to psychologist, Dr. Meggie O'Connor, before departing to the Other Side. Whereas bestsellers "Winona's Web," and "Compass of the Heart" introduced the reader to the realms of the Good Spirits and the Trickster Spirits, "Crack At Dusk:Crook of Dawn" draws the reader into the vortex of evil. In this lyrical tale of love and healing, Winona's Cousin, Hawk, and Meggie struggle to find common ground to help Winona's grandson make sense of a terrible, traumatic experience. "The boy's soul has been stolen," proclaims Hawk, but Meggie scoffs, "It's Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder." While their love for each other is intense, their two worlds grow far apart in comprehending evil and the way back to wholeness. A spiritual leader among his people, Hawk believes in the power of spells while Meggie affirms free will and the teachings of Western medicine. Together, the two of them must rediscover the healing power of the Pipe, stories and the human imagination. Love is always at the center as Crack at Dusk: Crook of Dawn delves into the bi-cultural conflict between the Lakota medicine man and the psychologist, the spiritual canyon between Meggie's feminist colleague and a Christian minster, the dissolution of a marriage between parents over the loss of a child, and the healing love of women for damaged children not their own. As with the two previous books in the Winona trilogy, Priscilla Cogan weaves her incandescent tale of archetypal themes through the contrasting life vision of Lakota, psychological and Christian perspectives. From such different viewpoints, the healing comes in a journey of discovery.

Genres: Contemporary

355 pages, Paperback

First published March 6, 2000

About the author

I was a psychologist for 29 years, so that experience is very present in my books. Back in 1979, I became involved in Native American ceremonies, propelled by some strong dreams. I did 3 visions quests, the last one for 3 days and 3 nights, on a hillside with no food or water. When my husband, Duncan Sings-Alone began his own inipi community (after 7 years of training), we had two sweat lodges - one for men and one for women. Lots of paranormal experiences. We NEVER charged for any Native American ceremonies or healing. The Winona series reflects the different viewpoints and healing practices between that of Psychology and that of Native American medicine work. It is when you contrast two very different viewpoints, interesting questions arise as to the nature of reality.
You will also notice a lot of humor in my 6 published novels, because the Spirits taught me that in everything serious, there is something funny and in everything funny, there is something serious!
From psychologist to novelist and now to play writing. I love the magic of what happens in the theatre, between the actors, the script, and the audience. There is an immersion that does not happen for me in the world of cinema but does in the theatre. My first play, The Summer Cottage, won an award and is a comedy. My second play, while funny, also tackles stereotypes of age and race. My third play is very dramatic and historical about racism and also being a young vulnerable female. I suspect my next play will be an adaptation of Winona's Web.

Reviews

[Melanie Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loan from Steph

[Silverbear · Rating 3 out of 5]

book 3 of the Winona series. hard to read but important following Winona and Compas of the Heart