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girlofsteel377's review against another edition
4.0
Brutal account of the Washo Indians in the Tahoe valley and their meeting with the whites--they that EAT of THEMSELVES. Unfortunate first glimpse of the Donner Party. I was put off some by the intrinsic racism and sexism in the stories of three (four?) generations of Washo, against the Native Americans, the Chinese (building the railroad), and the Whites as well.
Lots of black humor along the lines of a group of gold rush townies wanting to hang a Washo on ridiculous charges can't find a tree to hang him from because they've cut down all the trees (including the ones that provide pine nuts that the washos survive on during the winter).
As the stories become clearer time-wise, the tragedy is also better defined. Some beautiful moments of traditional life are depicted as well as the crushing of it.
Lots of black humor along the lines of a group of gold rush townies wanting to hang a Washo on ridiculous charges can't find a tree to hang him from because they've cut down all the trees (including the ones that provide pine nuts that the washos survive on during the winter).
As the stories become clearer time-wise, the tragedy is also better defined. Some beautiful moments of traditional life are depicted as well as the crushing of it.
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