Sherman Alexie's linked stories follow Native American characters on and around the Spokane Indian Reservation in Washington State. Victor Joseph and Thomas Builds-the-Fire, who tells stories no one wants to hear, recur as childhood friends turned uneasy companions. The stories cover poverty, alcoholism, basketball, broken families and the long reach of history, mixing grim comedy with sudden tenderness. The title story has Jimmy Many Horses arguing with his body and ghosts. Alexie's tone shifts quickly from joke to wound, and the characters keep their wit even when little goes right.
Readers who want contemporary Native American fiction that is funny, direct and unsentimental will find a strong collection. It also works well for anyone wanting to try short stories connected by place and recurring characters.
Deep, inward-looking and thought-provoking; a moderate read.
Best for readers like The Wisdom Collector. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 1993
- Language
- EN
