2024 April-June: The Blessing Way by Tony Hillerman

[Lesle, Appalachian Bibliophile]

This story has a strong theme of the Navajo philosophy of keeping peace in life, setting priorities and living by them, against the greed for money represented by Hall and his two hired helpers. Hall is driven to make a million dollars (a lot of money in 1970) and turns to illegal means to do it, hiring one notable criminal (George) and his lesser known ally, both eager for their share if the scheme had worked.

In the late 1960s, [Hillerman] said, he began to “practice” writing by working on a mystery, drawing on an earlier encounter he had had with a group of Navajos on horseback and in face paint and feathers in Crownpoint, N.M. They had been holding a Navajo Enemy Way ceremony for a soldier, a curing ritual that exorcises all traces of the enemy from those returning from battle. Mr. Hillerman had himself just returned from the war after a long convalescence ... He was so moved by the ceremony and so stirred by the rugged landscape that he resolved to live there. The experience became the basis for The Blessing Way (1970) ... He spent three years writing the novel and sent the manuscript to Joan Kahn, a respected mystery editor at Harper & Row, now HarperCollins. She published it after he complied with her suggestion—that he expand the role of a secondary character, the Navajo policeman Joe Leaphorn.

[Book Nerd, Purple Book Horse]

Wow, this is fifty years old?
I read it a long time ago. Don't really remember anything about the plot.

[Kathy]

I'm listening to it now and enjoying the writing about the landscape of New Mexico and the lives of the Navajo characters.

[Chad]

I just started this. It opens with the 19th, 18th or 17th century (or prior) mixed with modern times. I’m not sure yet if this is going to be a Rambo type story or what. I have read a book in this series many moons ago. I bought it at a gas station or convenience store while on a road trip. I don’t remember anything about it except it’s predominantly white cover.

[Blueberry]

Finished. Loved it 😊

[Lesle, Appalachian Bibliophile]

I am not planning on reading this one but I will add to my wish list. Thanks Blueberry!

[Chad]

I finished this one tonight. I wasn’t sure at the beginning but I ended up really liking it. The action was good and the exploration into the Navajo culture was really fascinating and incorporated well.