Reviews

This book has some really stunning writing, does an admirable job (initially) grappling with white privilege/blind spots, and is worth reading.

All of that said, I still cannot shake a feeling of total artifice. Maybe it's cynicism or an overabundance of caution, but so much sounded too good to be true, and I struggled to believe this white guy was somehow "chosen" to tell this story. I keep waiting to hear he made it all up out of a composite of stories he was told by his students. The magical minority teaching the white man deep truths that change his life--all building to an out-of-body experience--feels so overdone by 2019, I just kept waiting to find out he made it all up.

But hey, it's been more than thirty years and I don't see some big scandal broken open, so perhaps it's all for real. Just because plenty of other authors have provided false nonfiction, doesn't mean this is one. And whether it's composites, authentic, or imagined, there are truly haunting vignettes and fascinating exchanges. Nerburn's lucky, clever, or both.

I'm also happy to say that, today, there are astonishingly talented native writers producing work that can also bridge gaps, and who have given a wider audience access to a nation of complex, complicated narratives. No white guy filter needed.

seaglanz's review

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5.0

I accidentally read The Girl Who Sang With The Buffalo first, not aware this book existed. I am so glad it does, and that I was afforded more time to dive into the mind and world of Dan and his family/Kent. I’ve taken a lot of the lessons taught in this book to heart and into real life discussions with friends and family. It’s helped me see a different perspective, learn more about Native American culture, and was all around an incredibly enjoyable read. I adored it and I recommend it to all!

lizbeth415's review

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4.5

Everyone should read this book.

liberrydude's review

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4.0

Allegedly life changing and transformative. An insightful good read. The author uses the time tested allegorical device of a trip or quest to tell the story of Native Americans through their eyes and ears. It’s almost like “The Karate Kid” with Dan, the elder, dispensing wisdom like Mr. Miyagi. I guess I’m going to have to see the movie now.

Amazing I’d not heard of this book until I received a FB ad for the DVD. Should have the cachet of “The Alchemist “ and the “Zen of Motorcycle Maintenance” but it doesn’t. GOP would ban this book. Says what needs to be said. Wonder if it’s not received its due because of non-native roots of author. And it’s the first book in a trilogy.

The title comes from Sitting Bull’s description of Indians on reservations. It’s filled with revelations and discusses pretty much everything about our collision of cultures. Some takeaways:

Indians have their own identity and names for themselves. Being named for a mistake of geography and white hubris gnaws- go to South Asia for real Indians.

White wannabe Indians. Those who label Indians as drunks and those who treat them as “the noble savage.”

Freedom vs honor. Indians always free. Whites envied freedom of Indians. Whites imposed on Indians same restrictions they had fled from aristocracy in Europe. How can you own the land?!

Whites have too many words and use them carelessly. More words than the night has stars.

Indians listen. Whites talk too much. Respect is listening.

White eye and an Indian eye. Totally different observations. Whites are about eye contact. Indians avert eyes.

Discussion of the keepers of the fire. Keepers of light. I’d just read another book with this title by an Ojibwa author.

Good explanation of ghost dance. Messiah was Jesus. Coming for Indians. Hope. Turned Indians alive. Ruthlessly suppressed by whites. “They gave us Jesus and even took that away.”

I’m curious to see where the next two volumes in this trilogy will go. Much was revealed in this first book.

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