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jupton720's review against another edition
5.0
I'm not usually a fan of anthologies of short stories and poetry, but this debut work of Sherman Alexie is really outstanding based on its honesty and style.
lauren_endnotes's review against another edition
5.0
Slice of life poetry and flash fiction; this early work by Alexie is a strong beginning for his career. While the poetry was moving and well-done, he truly shines in the short narratives.
munchin's review against another edition
3.0
Some poems were brilliant and others made me feel nonplussed and underwhelmed. Not my favorite Alexie, but he has an undeniably distinct voice.
ramonamead's review against another edition
4.0
I expected to fly through this short book, but that wasn't the case. Although the poems and stories are each brief, I found I couldn't read more than two pieces at a time without needing to stop, to process and contemplate what I'd read. Alexie is able to say a great deal about Indian culture without using many words. His writing, as always, is vivid and lyrical. Each book of his I read opens my eyes and mind, more and more to the history and lifestyle of reservation Indians. He does important work through his writing.
casbah's review against another edition
4.0
I think this is his most effective book of poetry that I have read of his thus far. Loved it.
ceallaighsbooks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
“and he spends a few hours every week with a metal detector, / scanning the ground / for that missing part, the part that came out whole and bloodless, / but fills you up with how much it stays gone.” — from “Ceremonies”
TITLE—The Business of Fancydancing
AUTHOR—Sherman Alexie
PUBLISHED—1992
GENRE—poetry & short stories
SETTING—Native Land
MAIN THEMES/SUBJECTS—Indigenous identity, history, culture, mythology, and modern life
WRITING STYLE—⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
BONUS ELEMENT/S—the story “Special Delivery” which featured a neurodivergent MC was amazing
PHILOSOPHY—⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I see better with my eyes closed. But I don’t like much of what I see so I have to keep opening them to let in good light.” — from “Special Delivery”
Sherman Alexie presents an incredibly beautiful and insightful portrait of modern Indigenous life and identity. There is so much to love and get out of this collection and every poem and story in the collection was arresting but I especially resonated with the poem “Grandmother” and the short story “Special Delivery”. Alexie is definitely an author I need to read more of—I’m glad I hauled four of his books on my last trip to my favorite used bookstore recently!
I would recommend this collection to ppl who love a modern take on their poetry and short stories. This book is very short and quick while still being beautiful and deep, as well as challenging, thoughtful, and reflective. This is exactly the kind of book I’d bring on a roadtrip actually.
“3 a.m., he picks up Crazy Horse hitchhiking. / Where are you going, asks the reservation cab driver. / Same place you are, Crazy Horse answers / somewhere way up the goddamn road.” — from “Reservation Cab Driver”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
TW // racist / abusive police, mental illness
Further Reading—
- everything else by Sherman Alexie
- Keri Hulme
- Elissa Washuta
- There There, by Tommy Orange
- Ceremony, by Leslie Marmon Silko—TBR
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Addiction and Police brutality