Indigenous New England discussion
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Twilight of the Gods
SUMMER READING
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Siobhan
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May 13, 2012 06:29PM
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I'm up for it! One summer reading goal is Daniel Heath Justice's Kynship trilogy (just now getting into the first book).
I loved John's book - I have a stack to read and more in the Kindle - will post titles soon! :-)
Yes-I intend to read Siobhan's book--and hopefully do a review; John's book, too. I have read the first of the Kynship triology by Dan Justice.
Daniel Heath Justice's Kynship trilogy is brilliant! This is the indigenous fantasy book I've been waiting for. It takes on colonialism, (the villain is surprisingly, or not so surprisingly, like Andrew Jackson), homophobia, the connection to land, environmental refugees, and a world out of balance. The world is as complex and compelling as Tolkien's Middle Earth. The evil at the center of this trilogy is the spiritual damage that has occurred through colonization.
I loved the different peoples that inhabit this book - again, as unforgettable as Hobbits and Orcs, but so much part of an indigenous world view. The book is full of characters that have depth and are fully realized. And the magic that each person, and different peoples have, are all different, reflecting the many different medicines used by different particular people, clans, and tribes.
Justice's portrayal of the death march, is so much more realistic than most narratives of the so-called "Trail of Tears," that it should be compulsory reading alongside those texts. Because it is fictional, perhaps, we can allow ourselves to feel emotions which we guard ourselves against when reading about atrocities and genocide against real people. This is the importance of good speculative fiction, fantasy and scifi. I hope that Justice will keep writing fiction, and that other Native people will follow his lead.
Cheryl, thank you for these comments. I've read the first one--now to purchase the others!
Siobhan--I meant to say "Mihku's book" in my response to your invitation do do some summer reading together!
