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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
ajfoust's review against another edition
5.0
Indeh is a heartbreaking account of the Apache Wars of the late 1800s, told from the perspective of Cochise, Naiche, and Geronimo and consciously stripped of the standard Western conventions which casts the cowboys as heroes and the Indians as savages. Neither Hawke nor Ruth shy away from the horrors and atrocities of the war, and approach the Apache natives with respect. Their extensive and informed research is evident. Ruth’s stunning art cannot be credited enough for the respectful treatment of the Apaches. His muted art is vibrant and exquisitely detailed and rendered in soft shades of black and white careful and considerate portrayal of the Apache Nation. This book, which includes a comprehensive bibliography, should be considered an essential addition to all teen collections.
duskvstweak's review against another edition
4.0
I wish the art was a little bit more descriptive, but the story is strong. There's a lot of heartache to this history lesson.
elisram95's review against another edition
5.0
Heartbreaking and beautiful. If you are living in the United States, read this and know how to change the future
vegebrarian's review against another edition
5.0
Respectfully and thoughtfully told. The art is gorgeous.
birdmanseven's review against another edition
4.0
The book was good, but I'm adding an extra star because it succeeded in making me want to learn more about this era.
jameslucpicante's review against another edition
dark
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
krystlocity's review against another edition
2.0
I think this story is really important to tell, but I found it a little hard to follow. And that being said, I know that people who know less about this history than me will find it even harder. The art was nice, but...passive. I wanted this to hit more of an understanding than it did. I get what it was conveying, but in a vague sense.
zsinjapropos's review against another edition
4.0
Full Disclosure: I got this book for free from a Goodreads Giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
Second disclosure: I didn't really read the description of the book before I entered the giveaway. I saw that it was a history book, and clicked. As such, I was immensely surprised when a beautifully illustrated graphic novel showed up on my doorstep a few days later.
Indeh is a work of art. Greg Ruth's black and white images are beautifully done and arrestingly composed. There is so much detail to each panel, whether in the subtleties of expression in a character close up, or in the grim background details of a two page spread depicting a massacre. You feel yourself lingering on each page, soaking in as much as you can.
As to the story, Ethan Hawke (yes, that one. No "Gattaca" jokes, please) brings us the story of Goyahkla, later to be known as Geronimo, as the Apache people struggle to survive a war against the grinding machine of the American Army. The story is based on real events, though I am (I'm ashamed to say) unfamiliar with the Apache Wars. For those history-minded folks like me, Hawke provides a decent bibliography at the end of the book, allowing the reader to dive deeper in the story if they want. I expect I'll be reading quite a few of these books in the future. (As an aside, I love it when authors do this, even in fiction. The most recent example that comes to mind is the gloriously dark The Trench Angel by Michael Keenan Gutierrez)
The narrative of "Indeh" is told primarily from the Apache point of view, focusing primarily on the deeds of Geronimo and Naiches (son of the Apache Chief). There are occasional flips over to the point of view of the American army officers tasked with subduing and "pacifying" the Apache, but this story is meant to be a primarily Apache one. In my view, the central Apache characters are treated well by Hawke. The Apache are eminently sympathetic; after all, their land, culture, and people are being systematically crushed by an armed force that considers them nuisances and savages. But Hawke doesn't fall into the trap of resting with the "noble savage" or "spiritual warrior" trope that so many (white) authors seem to. His Apache characters are sympathetic, and they are brutal. They are heroes, and they are ruthless. In other words, they are fully, simply, human. They are not perfect, but they are doing all they can to preserve their people and way of life.
In the afterword, Hawke tells us that Indeh started as a failed screenplay. It seems that Hollywood felt that a movie about the Apache Wars, with a primarily Native American cast, would never get off the ground. From this disappointment, the book was born. I am glad this story is out there in this form. The visceral style of Ruth's illustrations paired well with the brutal realities of war, and the story, advanced through dialogue rather than exposition, is engaging. After reading "Indeh," I think there might be a market for narrative historical graphic novels (raise your hand if you'd like to see The Devil in the White City turned into a graphic novel). I also wonder if this would be a good medium for native artists to get these histories out in the public sphere. As I've said, Hawke does a wonderful job of telling this story from an Apache viewpoint, but I do wonder how an Apache author or artist would have told it.
In sum, this is a great afternoon's read (and on top of that, you'll probably learn something). If you're into history, graphic novels, or war stories, this is probably a good bet for you. Just be warned that due to the limitations of the medium, Hawke has to simplify or skip over some bits, so you'll probably find yourself moving to the bibliography afterward, looking for more.
Second disclosure: I didn't really read the description of the book before I entered the giveaway. I saw that it was a history book, and clicked. As such, I was immensely surprised when a beautifully illustrated graphic novel showed up on my doorstep a few days later.
Indeh is a work of art. Greg Ruth's black and white images are beautifully done and arrestingly composed. There is so much detail to each panel, whether in the subtleties of expression in a character close up, or in the grim background details of a two page spread depicting a massacre. You feel yourself lingering on each page, soaking in as much as you can.
As to the story, Ethan Hawke (yes, that one. No "Gattaca" jokes, please) brings us the story of Goyahkla, later to be known as Geronimo, as the Apache people struggle to survive a war against the grinding machine of the American Army. The story is based on real events, though I am (I'm ashamed to say) unfamiliar with the Apache Wars. For those history-minded folks like me, Hawke provides a decent bibliography at the end of the book, allowing the reader to dive deeper in the story if they want. I expect I'll be reading quite a few of these books in the future. (As an aside, I love it when authors do this, even in fiction. The most recent example that comes to mind is the gloriously dark The Trench Angel by Michael Keenan Gutierrez)
The narrative of "Indeh" is told primarily from the Apache point of view, focusing primarily on the deeds of Geronimo and Naiches (son of the Apache Chief). There are occasional flips over to the point of view of the American army officers tasked with subduing and "pacifying" the Apache, but this story is meant to be a primarily Apache one. In my view, the central Apache characters are treated well by Hawke. The Apache are eminently sympathetic; after all, their land, culture, and people are being systematically crushed by an armed force that considers them nuisances and savages. But Hawke doesn't fall into the trap of resting with the "noble savage" or "spiritual warrior" trope that so many (white) authors seem to. His Apache characters are sympathetic, and they are brutal. They are heroes, and they are ruthless. In other words, they are fully, simply, human. They are not perfect, but they are doing all they can to preserve their people and way of life.
In the afterword, Hawke tells us that Indeh started as a failed screenplay. It seems that Hollywood felt that a movie about the Apache Wars, with a primarily Native American cast, would never get off the ground. From this disappointment, the book was born. I am glad this story is out there in this form. The visceral style of Ruth's illustrations paired well with the brutal realities of war, and the story, advanced through dialogue rather than exposition, is engaging. After reading "Indeh," I think there might be a market for narrative historical graphic novels (raise your hand if you'd like to see The Devil in the White City turned into a graphic novel). I also wonder if this would be a good medium for native artists to get these histories out in the public sphere. As I've said, Hawke does a wonderful job of telling this story from an Apache viewpoint, but I do wonder how an Apache author or artist would have told it.
In sum, this is a great afternoon's read (and on top of that, you'll probably learn something). If you're into history, graphic novels, or war stories, this is probably a good bet for you. Just be warned that due to the limitations of the medium, Hawke has to simplify or skip over some bits, so you'll probably find yourself moving to the bibliography afterward, looking for more.
jukied's review against another edition
2.0
The art was fantastic, very beautiful and flowing. However, I found myself unable to distinguish most of the characters from each other and didn't really know who the characters were from segment to segment. The lack of backstory and details made it quite shallow, and I never felt like I really understood what was going on. I think the inclusion of story blocks would have helped fill in the gaps as most readers probably don't know who the characters are. It's a quick read, though, worth it for the art more than the story.
rebecca_oneil's review against another edition
3.0
This caught my eye because I've been reading a lot about Native Americans, appropriation, and #OwnVoices, and it's a fictionalized history of the Apache Wars of the 1870s written by...Ethan Hawke. Hawke is in fact an accomplished writer in addition to his acting career, and he writes in the Afterword how this subject has haunted him since he was a child. He originally wanted to shoot it as a movie, but, lacking funding, shaped it into a graphic novel with the help of artist Greg Ruth. I found myself wishing he had shaped it with the help of Native creators, too...I'll be interested to see if there are Native reviews written.
Hawke notes, "authentic Native American perspectives were mostly absent from the dominant historical narrative of the Old West," but then, "I knew that it was not really my story to tell, but my heart felt compelled to tell it."
There is an introduction by Douglas Miles, Sr., an Apache man. He writes, “What motivates people to battle the most technically advanced and powerful nation in the world? People assume it is savage violence for its own sake, as so many Hollywood films have interpreted it. Popular culture would have you believe our own innate tribal ability prompted us on paths to violence. In reality, any time a culture around the world has its way of life threatened, it has fought fiercely to preserve it.”
The story is incredibly, bloodily violent, an aspect that is driven home by seeing the battles enacted visually. It was helpful to remember that this kind of fighting did happen (and likely still happens in war zones). Greg Ruth's art is unusual for a graphic novel, full of brush marks and a painterly sensibility. His human faces and Western vistas bring the story to life. I had a hard time keeping all of the characters straight, especially the White men. Includes Further Reading.
“Who are the Bluecoats to give us part of a thing Usen [the Creator] gave us whole?”
"We make history, and we are damned or saved by how we do it."
"A man should not outlive his hopes."
Hawke notes, "authentic Native American perspectives were mostly absent from the dominant historical narrative of the Old West," but then, "I knew that it was not really my story to tell, but my heart felt compelled to tell it."
There is an introduction by Douglas Miles, Sr., an Apache man. He writes, “What motivates people to battle the most technically advanced and powerful nation in the world? People assume it is savage violence for its own sake, as so many Hollywood films have interpreted it. Popular culture would have you believe our own innate tribal ability prompted us on paths to violence. In reality, any time a culture around the world has its way of life threatened, it has fought fiercely to preserve it.”
The story is incredibly, bloodily violent, an aspect that is driven home by seeing the battles enacted visually. It was helpful to remember that this kind of fighting did happen (and likely still happens in war zones). Greg Ruth's art is unusual for a graphic novel, full of brush marks and a painterly sensibility. His human faces and Western vistas bring the story to life. I had a hard time keeping all of the characters straight, especially the White men. Includes Further Reading.
“Who are the Bluecoats to give us part of a thing Usen [the Creator] gave us whole?”
"We make history, and we are damned or saved by how we do it."
"A man should not outlive his hopes."