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elyavanhorn1's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
casey_larsen's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
It had very flowery, literary language that I just couldn't get into. It also felt like it was meant to be read for all this deeper meaning, but I felt like I could never get to the level the author wanted me at. If I didn't have to read it for a class, I likely wouldn't have picked it up myself, and I don't really see myself ever being in the headspace to reread it.
All that being said, I did like learning about a Floridian Native American tribe, since I'm more familiar (though clearly no expert) with midwestern tribes.
All that being said, I did like learning about a Floridian Native American tribe, since I'm more familiar (though clearly no expert) with midwestern tribes.
pikasqueaks's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of the best books I've read in a long time. I'm about to fill my library holds list with the rest of her books.
This is a story about cultural identity, personal identity, fitting into a family, about morality and everything good. It's wrapped up in a beautifully written package that's brimming with the beauty of an under-represented point of view.
This is a story about cultural identity, personal identity, fitting into a family, about morality and everything good. It's wrapped up in a beautifully written package that's brimming with the beauty of an under-represented point of view.
shawcrit's review against another edition
4.0
This novel describes the paradoxical struggle between two different religious creeds, between two different ways of perceiving the world, between a multitude of female identities. The beauty of this novel is that it exposes the similarities and the differences, revealing the dangers in both and the ways in which power is employed within both belief systems, for good and bad purposes. The novel starts off very strong, with the storm scene and the climax of the panther killing. This section is incredibly powerful and lyrical, the language just flows and I felt embedded within the narrative. The holistic world view is portrayed well here, not literally spoken, but expressed well through the poetic form and language. A division occurs after this initial storm scene, and the remainder of the novel consists of Omishto's journey to reconcile this schism, to understand it. The narrative is powerful and dream-like, very effective; however, it does seem to lag and gets a little bit redundant near the end. The concluding image is beautiful and wraps up the narrative very well.
bubblegumbook's review against another edition
3.0
This book was written beautifully. Every sentence was like poetry which is what I loved about this book. A drawback to that though is there was a lot of dragging situations out.Iit felt like I was running backwards in a dream the whole time, thats how slowly paced this book was. Other than the pacing, I realy enjoyed this book. It was maybe my first Native American read? I'm not sure. I might have read Native American books as a kid, but not so much recently. This was for my Multicultural Literature of the U.S. class! This class is introducing me to so many new perspectives, I love it.
kiramke's review against another edition
5.0
Breathtakingly good. It takes a tremendous amount of clarity and insight to write a story of a mental reckoning and discovery of self. It's not a book for those desiring an action-heavy plotline, but it's a stunning exploration of seeing the world and the self clearly and with conscience.
silodear's review against another edition
5.0
Loved it. A lot. Linda Hogan = the best ever. Such a magical, lyrical novel -- made even better by reading it out loud. <3
allysonstrable's review against another edition
5.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 stars)
All-time fav book quotes:
- "Everything about her says she doesn't want to do this thing, but that there's no choice, as if it's destiny, as if it's fate, as if all the stories are true." (Hogan 61)
- "Sometimes I see things as they were before this world, in the time of first people... moved through the wet night like earthbound stars, slow and enchanted in our human orbit." (Hogan 83)
- "Forgiveness means that whatever the sin was, you will never do it again, and that others will stop judging you. It means you are pardoned by them and you know the error of your ways. It's a gift they offer you. But it's a selfish gift because it makes them feel better than it makes you feel." (Hogan 99).
This book easily made its way onto my list of 5-star books and I honestly feel as though it deserves those 5 stars! The way that the characters are intertwined with each other is just amazing. It begins at a somewhat slow pace but once you're like 3 chapters in... it's hook line and sinker. Can I just say that there is so much description in this book and you totally feel as though you're in the everglades with Omishto. Linda Hogan is a masterful writer and beautiful storyteller. I loved every moment of this book and am glad to chalk it up as the first book I finished in June! such a beautiful book! (definitely recommend and DEFINITELY going to re-read at some point) :)
All-time fav book quotes:
- "Everything about her says she doesn't want to do this thing, but that there's no choice, as if it's destiny, as if it's fate, as if all the stories are true." (Hogan 61)
- "Sometimes I see things as they were before this world, in the time of first people... moved through the wet night like earthbound stars, slow and enchanted in our human orbit." (Hogan 83)
- "Forgiveness means that whatever the sin was, you will never do it again, and that others will stop judging you. It means you are pardoned by them and you know the error of your ways. It's a gift they offer you. But it's a selfish gift because it makes them feel better than it makes you feel." (Hogan 99).
This book easily made its way onto my list of 5-star books and I honestly feel as though it deserves those 5 stars! The way that the characters are intertwined with each other is just amazing. It begins at a somewhat slow pace but once you're like 3 chapters in... it's hook line and sinker. Can I just say that there is so much description in this book and you totally feel as though you're in the everglades with Omishto. Linda Hogan is a masterful writer and beautiful storyteller. I loved every moment of this book and am glad to chalk it up as the first book I finished in June! such a beautiful book! (definitely recommend and DEFINITELY going to re-read at some point) :)
livloveslibros's review against another edition
4.0
It's hard to review books I've read for school because I read them differently than novels I pick up just for fun. Power isn't a book I would pick up on my own, but I really enjoyed the discussions and insight I gleaned from my classes.
Also, this isn't an easy book to read. It's told in first person, and the narrator contradicts herself constantly. The plot moves slowly--things happen, but they take their time, and the narrator has many thoughts about them. The prose is poetic at times, but that too contributes to the hazy, sometimes confusing atmosphere of the book. It's magical realism in a subtle, unexpected way.
I like that you could read this book from different angles: as an environmental novel, as an indigenous novel, as a coming-of-age story for a teenage girl. The way that I, as a reader, was able to get into the head and thoughts of the main character was fascinating, a product of the non-linear, stream-of-consciousness style of writing that Hogan does so well here. I couldn't always relate to Omishto or her decisions but that was the point.
Also, this isn't an easy book to read. It's told in first person, and the narrator contradicts herself constantly. The plot moves slowly--things happen, but they take their time, and the narrator has many thoughts about them. The prose is poetic at times, but that too contributes to the hazy, sometimes confusing atmosphere of the book. It's magical realism in a subtle, unexpected way.
I like that you could read this book from different angles: as an environmental novel, as an indigenous novel, as a coming-of-age story for a teenage girl. The way that I, as a reader, was able to get into the head and thoughts of the main character was fascinating, a product of the non-linear, stream-of-consciousness style of writing that Hogan does so well here. I couldn't always relate to Omishto or her decisions but that was the point.
karschmidtholloway's review against another edition
5.0
A commanding narrative with masterfully potent imagery. I don't even have the words to describe how much I loved this book.