Reviews

Calling for a Blanket Dance by Oscar Hokeah

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cat_book_lady's review

5.0

I need to be VERY careful here because the last thing I want to do is dishonor such a spectacular book written by Oscar Hokeah, and my words will absolutely pale in comparison to the beauty of his debut novel. There is obviously an unfortunate paucity of Native American authors who have been able to get their stories published, yet we have much to learn by sitting at their feet and inhaling their wisdom. Hokeah brings to the forefront the fierce family ties of both Kiowa and Cherokee generations pulled together by a transcending love amidst grinding poverty and abuse, revealing that even through haunting traumas of ravaging addiction and anger, the comforting blanket of a family's love is strongly magical and healing.

I gleaned much about the power of the human spirit and the strength it takes to battle inner demons. I learned much about the destruction that people can do to each other with words and in deeds. Most importantly, I found a story that will stay with me forever, much like the loving quilt that now wraps around my soul.

smlaurie's review

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hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This is a work of fiction, but it seems to be strongly influenced by the story of the author's family. Names and locations seem to have *not been changed. There's no grand plot--it's the chronological story of Ever and his extended family. Every chapter jumps ahead a few years and is told through the perspective of another family member and Ever is always present in their story, starting with his mother when he is a baby.

It's a culturally rich story full of familial connections and hardships lived by imperfect humans that strive for something better. It is those connections that are the center of this story. There is no great climax, but a simple one of hope and resilience, forgiveness and redemption, all possible because of family.

Taylor Swift Reading Challenge #114: End Game/A book with multiple POV.

Ultimate Book Riot Read Harder Challenge #9: Read a book by or about someone from an indigenous culture.

melisbooked's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

A beautifully written multigenerational story told from different POVs that center around a family and their connections to their indigeneity and each other. I loved the alternating perspectives and was very impressed with this author. This book had echoes of The Five Wounds through its representation of family dynamics.

ecross_poppy's review against another edition

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hopeful reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

stephanieridiculous's review against another edition

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3.0

This is a very solid three stars. I really like this kind of format - multiple POVs that tell a winding, overarching story with each of their installments. I loved this family, I love the reaching for each other and returning to roots. And I love the hope it presents about the ability to do those things. And I think Hokeah does a really good job of giving each narrator a distinctive voice, which is hard to do with such a big cast.

While all of the above is true, this more feels like a series of interviews than a novel. This isn't really a story story, but a collection of people telling you what happened and the larger picture it paints. And that's ok - but it's all tell and no show. I would have enjoyed more of a immersive story over a recounting of facts, but that's more just personal preference than a comment on craft.

Mild content warnings for substance abuse, DV, and general violence. These things play a significant role but are never graphic.