American Woman

I thought that this novel was well written. I am not usually taken in by spiritual or magical worlds that often appear in novels, sometimes out of nowhere. However, I feel that Robertson did an extremely good job in painting a vivid portrait of how this magic "medicine" and spirituality surrounded and weaved through the culture of the Native Americans. Robertson's eye for detail and precision is very apparent; I felt that he explained details of battles and battle discussions in a concise manner. I felt that since Native Americans were very respectful of animals and their importance in the chain of life, it was extremely important for Robertson to incorporate that into his novel along with the principles of Quakerism, as told by Sarah Kilory.

American Woman is a double edged historical novel of dual cultures' experiences filtered through a gritty perspective of irony and wit. Set at the time of the battle of the Little Big Horn, told by a blonde, Quaker second wife to a Shyenna warrior named Yellow Leg, American Woman weaves the fabric of myth and history simultaneously. Humour, acerbic wit, and slanting perspectives lead to unforeseen levels of involvement. Humanity is both reduced and elevated. Sarah, the witch who does not know she is a "bruja" has vivid and relentless visions. Lakota and Shyenna customs presented are well researched by the author. One of my favorite chapters deals with the naming ceremony for Nothing, Sara's sister-wife Raven's daughter. Raven invites Sara to the ceremony, which is for women only."We stood our daughter up, so everyone would know what a fine child she was. Firelight danced in her dark eyes. It was a grave moment. She was about to lose her baby name forever and get the one she would carry into womanhood. Shyenna women did not collect and discard names like a Lakota brave. Many carried their adult name throughout their lives.Raven recited Nothing's story....And what a story it was. Once I would have dismissed it as extravagant superstition - but if any of these women disbelieved it, they were polite enough to sit on their doubts. I stared at the little girl, thinking about that first day in the Center of the World when I had been enraged at her bare existence. Now I wanted to hug her. But it would have been disrespectful - too Wasichu. This was her moment, not mine...Raven announced, 'She shall be named for the mother who cared for her when she was sick, who cradled her when I could not, and who called for the Southern Herd to save her. From now on my daughter will be American Woman.'I was as stunned as anyone. You could have heard a feather fall in the lodge.Raven continued in her flat, cool way, 'Her mother does not need that name. She has the one given to her in the Spirit World. She is E-hyoph'sta, Light Haired Woman.' It was the first time any Lakota Eater had called me that. That triumph alone would have choked me - but it was trivial compared to seeing a little black-eyed girl standing straight in her white deerskin, beaming because she bore my cast-off name.I pulled my blanket up over my face and cried. Through the tears and blanket I could hear women approving. It was wonderful, strange, and awesome. When I recovered, we ate until the lodge was littered with gnawed bones (pp. 312-313)."Vivid and heartrending, American Woman tells a tale of blood by mixing bloods and perspectives. A new truth emerges, washed with the broken refractions of human tears.Nancy Lorraine, Reviewer

"American Woman" was an excellent read. I would compare it to "Little Big Man", only from a woman's point of view. Love, survival, and spiritual lessons abound. My wife couldn't put it down!

I haven't even finished the book yet and already recommend it to anyone willing to imagine our Native American history, myths and realities full force. The chapter on the Spirit World is not as silly as Lindat5, Custer historian, criticizes;to myself, an ignorant reader wanting to learn more about what Native Americans went through and believed, the Spirit World put us stiff and incredulous white folk right into the heart of American Indian's mythology. Plus, its very creative. To read real historical fiction with such creative writing is for me a real real treat.

i have read 3 books a week for 35 years. i read everything i can get my hands on. this book is the first book in years that i have read EVERY word of. i felt i was there living as sarah at that time myself. this author has an almost uncanny ability to be a woman in this time in history. i highly recommend this book to anyone who desires an excellent reading experience but be prepared to read it in one setting as you won't be able to put it down. this is the first time i have ever wanted to send an author a THANK YOU SO MUCH. e barton