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Stone Song: A Novel of the Life of Crazy Horse
Of all the great warriors of Native America, Crazy Horse remains the most enigmatic. Scorned from his childhood for his light hair, he was a man who spurned the love of finery and honors so characteristic of Lakota Sioux warriors. Despite these differences, Crazy Horse led his people to their greatest victory at the Battle of the Little Big Horn where General Custer fell.
Crazy Horse's entire life was a triumph of the spirit. In youth, Crazy Horse was set aside by his powerful vision of Rider, the spiritual expression of his future greatness, and by the passion and grief of his overwhelming love for a woman. It was only in battle that his heart could find rest. As his world crumbled, Crazy Horse managed to find his way in harmony with the age-old wisdom of the Lakota—and to beat the US Army on its own terms. He lived, and died, his own man.
Crazy Horse's entire life was a triumph of the spirit. In youth, Crazy Horse was set aside by his powerful vision of Rider, the spiritual expression of his future greatness, and by the passion and grief of his overwhelming love for a woman. It was only in battle that his heart could find rest. As his world crumbled, Crazy Horse managed to find his way in harmony with the age-old wisdom of the Lakota—and to beat the US Army on its own terms. He lived, and died, his own man.
400 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 177 reviews
September 11, 2022
This biographical novel about the Oglala Sioux warrior is a terrific example of blended genres - history, cultural anthropology, political intrigue, biography, psychology and explorations of the human heart and interior lives of people long gone who left no records to tell us about themselves.
Blevin has created a moving and believable portrait of a man, a people, and a way of life that got destroyed as white settlers marched across the continent. It's hard reading without moral rage about the lies and broken faith and utter policy of genocide the US government and Army were prosecuting. But it is part of the American story and truth about our beginnings, with legacies that still reverberate today.
Two ways of life slammed together and one crushed the other, but the winner was superior only from its technology, utter arrogance, and willing perfidy.
Blevin has created a moving and believable portrait of a man, a people, and a way of life that got destroyed as white settlers marched across the continent. It's hard reading without moral rage about the lies and broken faith and utter policy of genocide the US government and Army were prosecuting. But it is part of the American story and truth about our beginnings, with legacies that still reverberate today.
Two ways of life slammed together and one crushed the other, but the winner was superior only from its technology, utter arrogance, and willing perfidy.
December 30, 2021
Even the most basic outline of [Crazy Horse’s] life shows how great he was, because he remained himself from the moment of his birth, to the moment he died; because [although] he may have surrendered, … he was never defeated in battle; because, although he was killed, even the Army admitted he was never captured. His dislike of the oncoming civilization was prophetic. Unlike many people all over the world, when he met white men he was not diminished by his encounter. – Ian Frazier, Great Plains
******
I’m guessing that most readers who would be interested in reading this book already know a great deal about the enigmatic Native American warrior known as Crazy Horse (actually 'His Crazy Horse'). What they might not know a lot about is the culture and the folklore of his tribe, the Lakota Sioux. Win Blevins does a thorough job in his novel of describing not just the exploits and adventures of the famous warrior, but also what it was like to live in Crazy Horse’s world.
I found it rather interesting what he wrote in an Afterword, so I am going to quote it at length.
It is, as Blevins writes, “a work of imagination,” but it is also a story that he built on a solid foundation of historical research. For his effort his book was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, which rarely happens for fiction set in the historical West, and it won a Spur Award from the Western Writers of America, which is almost as good.
******
I’m guessing that most readers who would be interested in reading this book already know a great deal about the enigmatic Native American warrior known as Crazy Horse (actually 'His Crazy Horse'). What they might not know a lot about is the culture and the folklore of his tribe, the Lakota Sioux. Win Blevins does a thorough job in his novel of describing not just the exploits and adventures of the famous warrior, but also what it was like to live in Crazy Horse’s world.
I found it rather interesting what he wrote in an Afterword, so I am going to quote it at length.
This book is first of all a work of imagination.
In the form called the biographical novel the writer must make music in two keys at once, fulfilling the responsibilities of fiction and biography. These sometimes yield harmony and sometimes dissonance, because each seeks a different kind of triumph.
The biographer’s fidelity is first of all to the shape of his subject’s life …. He restricts himself, more or less, to what can be proven.
The novelist’s aspiration … is less to limn the particular form of the life of his subject than to discover the profile of what is permanently human in it.
So a story that begins as reportage, then metamorphoses into history, and is transformed once more, this time into myth ….
And the tools [the novelist] uses to create are not analysis, logic, and judgment, but feeling, imagination, and dream.
This is the freedom that the novelist claims but the biographer does not.
It is, as Blevins writes, “a work of imagination,” but it is also a story that he built on a solid foundation of historical research. For his effort his book was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, which rarely happens for fiction set in the historical West, and it won a Spur Award from the Western Writers of America, which is almost as good.
June 8, 2015
Disclaimer: ARC via Netgalley courtesy of Open Road.
Blevins’ novel traces the lift of Crazy Horse from young adult hood to his death. Unlike many writers, Blevins does not fall into the trap of making any one character or race too saintly or too demonized.
When the reader first meets Crazy Horse, he isn’t called Crazy Horse, but Curly. He is trying to find his place not only in his tribe but within himself. This first section of the novel is not quite a coming of age story but more of a feeling out who you are story, struggling to come to terms with not only a changing world, but what your duty in that world is.
The rest of the book charts both Crazy Horse’s highs and lows. The focus is on Crazy Horse and the Lakota, and in many ways it is good that Blevins does not make the Battle of Little Bighorn a central piece of the novel. Would Crazy Horse really see the battle as meriting the same importance as white Americans? Doubtful.
Perhaps the weakest part of the novel is the development of the female characters, in particular the romantic interest of Black Buffalo Woman. Her motives and reasons do not seem to be really developed. How much of her behavior is based on cultural belief and how much due to her own desire is unclear. While this does occur, when combined with her limited page time, it makes it hard to know her character let alone really care what happens to her. The same is true of Black Shawl, and Crazy Horse’s third (or second, depending upon how you count) wife hardly gets any screen time.
This weakness aside, the novel does an extremely good job of conveying the culture of the Lakota as well as the political maneuvering that occurred when the white American continued their Westward expansions (take over, chose your term). It is not a romanticized view of the West or of Native Americans and for that the book deserves much praise.
January 31, 2017
Stone Song, designated a novel of the life of Crazy Horse, is much more than just a story of one man’s life. Author Win Blevins creates a feeling of campfires, as if we were all gathered around after a good meal and listening to him tell a story of a great warrior who lived long ago. The poetic nature of his words is enticing and haunting, making it easy to become lost in the story.
Along the way, Mr. Blevins introduces a culture and religious beliefs, the world of Crazy Horse and the Lakotas. Understanding this way of life gives the reader a deeper view, a look inside the heart of a warrior. This is the classic tale of a man who would fight to the end of his life for what he believed in, for what he knew in his soul was right.
Included at the end of the book: a list of all the people in the book, a “dictionary” of Lakota words and phrases (complete with pronunciation aids), Lakota terms for different places and other tribes, and a list of sources readers can investigate if they wish to gain more knowledge.
Mr. Blevins has crafted a wonderful novel, taking historical knowledge and blending it with imagination to flesh out a story of an era in American history and describing how one man attempted to remain true to his vision and his people at the same time. While the author has done much research, he admits that his efforts to breathe life into Crazy Horse cross the line from biography to novel. After reading the book, I would assert that whatever liberties he took provide us with a deeper understanding of the traditions of the Lakotas and a man called His Crazy Horse. Very entertaining read. Five stars.
Along the way, Mr. Blevins introduces a culture and religious beliefs, the world of Crazy Horse and the Lakotas. Understanding this way of life gives the reader a deeper view, a look inside the heart of a warrior. This is the classic tale of a man who would fight to the end of his life for what he believed in, for what he knew in his soul was right.
Included at the end of the book: a list of all the people in the book, a “dictionary” of Lakota words and phrases (complete with pronunciation aids), Lakota terms for different places and other tribes, and a list of sources readers can investigate if they wish to gain more knowledge.
Mr. Blevins has crafted a wonderful novel, taking historical knowledge and blending it with imagination to flesh out a story of an era in American history and describing how one man attempted to remain true to his vision and his people at the same time. While the author has done much research, he admits that his efforts to breathe life into Crazy Horse cross the line from biography to novel. After reading the book, I would assert that whatever liberties he took provide us with a deeper understanding of the traditions of the Lakotas and a man called His Crazy Horse. Very entertaining read. Five stars.
January 16, 2014
Rarely has a book immersed me so fully into the story as Stone Song. Win Blevins is an incredible writer. The reader goes on the journey with His Crazy Horse, an Oglala Lakota, from puberty to his death, through the time of being a warrior to a captive. In each scene you feel you are there in the mountains, lodges, and battles, thus is Blevins remarkable ability for description, setting, and characterization.
I mourned the losses and way of life for His Crazy Horse and his people. This was a personal story as well as a 'global' story which has taken place in numerous locales around the world, wherever native people have been pushed out of their homelands. This is the kind of book that will stay with you and which I will re-read just to hear some of the beautiful scenes again.
I mourned the losses and way of life for His Crazy Horse and his people. This was a personal story as well as a 'global' story which has taken place in numerous locales around the world, wherever native people have been pushed out of their homelands. This is the kind of book that will stay with you and which I will re-read just to hear some of the beautiful scenes again.
September 29, 2025
Man's inhumanity to man. It predates history. The treatment of the American Indians by the "white men" is no different than the historical records of how the Romans, The Mongols, those who came before them and after them treated humans in their way. They say history should not be repeated. Everything changes and everything remains the same.
The novel is slow in getting started only because the author needs to put the reader in the frame of mind of those she is writing about. The Oglala, Lakota, members of the Sioux nation. This is their side of the story. Little Big Horn, just another battle. Another day.
I found the tale well researched and depressing. Sometimes history is depressing. I am glad I read it.
The novel is slow in getting started only because the author needs to put the reader in the frame of mind of those she is writing about. The Oglala, Lakota, members of the Sioux nation. This is their side of the story. Little Big Horn, just another battle. Another day.
I found the tale well researched and depressing. Sometimes history is depressing. I am glad I read it.
July 14, 2008
THis is a fictional book aboutthe life of Crazy Horse. He was fairly secretive so alot of things are second had from others who survived him and some inference on Lakota mysticism. It dwells alot on that mysticism, what drove him to act the way he did, why he was The Strange Man, why he fought so hard and then came in to the reservation. I have read it 3 times and finished it again recently. I really enjoyed it this time through. It does have some adult scenes that the author ties to Crazy Horse's decison making. Ultimately it is a tragic story that leaves me fulfileld yet sad. I always feel the sad songs are the best, so this follows. It is a good read but not light, so give it the time it needs.
February 24, 2016
"Drum-on-His-Back and Crazy Horse had never heard anything like it. Instead of putting themselves on the side of great powers, the whites asked the powers to be on their side. Odd people, you could never understand them."
A powerful biographical novel that puts the Native American Lakota beliefs and feelings front and center, as it should. I have trouble stomaching nonfiction, so I jumped at the opportunity to read a personable tale of Crazy Horse and the tragic slice of American History he lived in. As an outsider, I do not know about how true to Lakota beliefs Blevins remained, but I have the impression he did his homework, and loved the topic. Formatting issues aside, this is a beautiful and highly recommended book.
A powerful biographical novel that puts the Native American Lakota beliefs and feelings front and center, as it should. I have trouble stomaching nonfiction, so I jumped at the opportunity to read a personable tale of Crazy Horse and the tragic slice of American History he lived in. As an outsider, I do not know about how true to Lakota beliefs Blevins remained, but I have the impression he did his homework, and loved the topic. Formatting issues aside, this is a beautiful and highly recommended book.
August 31, 2015
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
A well-written, highly researched portrait of His Crazy Horse, the Lakota warrior/chief. From his beginnings as an outcast of the tribe to his becoming a respected chief, Win Blevins has given us an inside look at not only Crazy Horse the man but at the whole Indian picture in the 1860s. From the ecstasies of the fight and the hunt to the ultimate betrayal by the whiteman, Crazy Horse maintained a dignity and honor to himself and his people that was unparalleled. A highly recommended read.
A well-written, highly researched portrait of His Crazy Horse, the Lakota warrior/chief. From his beginnings as an outcast of the tribe to his becoming a respected chief, Win Blevins has given us an inside look at not only Crazy Horse the man but at the whole Indian picture in the 1860s. From the ecstasies of the fight and the hunt to the ultimate betrayal by the whiteman, Crazy Horse maintained a dignity and honor to himself and his people that was unparalleled. A highly recommended read.
August 13, 2014
Win Blevins first published this story of Crazy Horse (or more properly, “His Crazy Horse”) back in 1995 and it has since become a must-read for those interested in the history of the Western US or of the Native American tribes of the 1800s.
This is a biographical novel, meaning that the author describes historical events in as much detail and with as many facts as possible. But, of course, not everything is known and so the author must embellish where necessary and provide his best guess at what the historical characters were doing and thinking at the time. This is a particularly difficult challenge with Crazy Horse as he was a man not prone to bragging of his accomplishments and trying to understand the nuances of his life and times can be tough.
The book itself depicts the life of Crazy Horse from infancy through his final days and recounts his remarkable adventures along the way. He had an amazing life, far more than the tiny bits that he is known for (the Battle of Little Bighorn against General Custer). But more than that, this book captures the deeper spirituality of the Oglala Lakota people. The novel touches the heart; the lives of these people were not easy. I came away from it with a much deeper understanding on this man and his times as well as a greater appreciation for their people’s point of view.
This is a biographical novel, meaning that the author describes historical events in as much detail and with as many facts as possible. But, of course, not everything is known and so the author must embellish where necessary and provide his best guess at what the historical characters were doing and thinking at the time. This is a particularly difficult challenge with Crazy Horse as he was a man not prone to bragging of his accomplishments and trying to understand the nuances of his life and times can be tough.
The book itself depicts the life of Crazy Horse from infancy through his final days and recounts his remarkable adventures along the way. He had an amazing life, far more than the tiny bits that he is known for (the Battle of Little Bighorn against General Custer). But more than that, this book captures the deeper spirituality of the Oglala Lakota people. The novel touches the heart; the lives of these people were not easy. I came away from it with a much deeper understanding on this man and his times as well as a greater appreciation for their people’s point of view.
December 29, 2022
Good story, drawn out
While I enjoyed the premise of this story, and I realise all details needed to be included, it was very drawn out.
While I enjoyed the premise of this story, and I realise all details needed to be included, it was very drawn out.
November 4, 2017
This is a wonderful, absorbing and thought provoking biographical novel of the life of His Crazy Horse, his people, the Oglala Lakota and the other tribes of Northern America as they all experience the changes brought about by the white Americans moving into their territory and changing their lifestyle and the landscape forever.
Win Blevins deserves a Pulitzer for this incredible piece of writing! I have never read anything quite like this before and it was truly enlightening to hear this historical tale told from the point of view of the Native Americans. His Crazy Horse is a fascinating, sincerely spiritual man and the author does an amazing job of bringing him to life on these pages, while also managing to bring balance to the story that does not either sanctify or demonize any of the people all fighting for the right to live on the same land.
Through this journey, starting with His Crazy Horse as a youth, I learned so much about the traditions and lifestyle of the Lakota. They were are a passionate people but it seemed to me they were also very respectful, of each other, of their tradition's and especially of each individuals spiritual life.
This overwhelmingly, was the thing that struck me the most.. they really listened to each other when they were speaking. Around the center fire, sharing a pipe, one man would talk and there would be a respectful silence afterwards, as the others would carefully consider his words. I think Blevins has captured the way the Lakota thought and behaved. His Crazy Horse was well known among his people for speaking very little in meetings. But lots of words don't necessarily have more meaning. He commanded the utmost respect for his profound thoughts and was considered worthy to become a chief (a Big Belly) by many of his people, although he refused that honour.
Of course, there is necessarily some fiction in the story, because although the facts of this period in America's history are very well researched, well known and documented... the internal thoughts of each character have to be from the author's imagination. Yet I feel, he was able to expertly extrapolate those thoughts from the real person's actions. One further point, I was glad that the battle of Little Big Horn was not the only and main focus of the story, although it is featured in fine detail, and is as factually sound as possible from historical personal accounts of the survivors. This story is about so much more than 'just' one battle.
The entire story hangs together in such a beautiful way, that it filled me with sadness for their lost way of life and the confinement of a natural, wild and free ranging people. After reading this, I had the privilege of travelling to some of the places mentioned in the book and was blown away by the experience, combined with this fresh knowledge of its turbulent history.
This is a book well worth reading. Highly Recommended!
Win Blevins deserves a Pulitzer for this incredible piece of writing! I have never read anything quite like this before and it was truly enlightening to hear this historical tale told from the point of view of the Native Americans. His Crazy Horse is a fascinating, sincerely spiritual man and the author does an amazing job of bringing him to life on these pages, while also managing to bring balance to the story that does not either sanctify or demonize any of the people all fighting for the right to live on the same land.
Through this journey, starting with His Crazy Horse as a youth, I learned so much about the traditions and lifestyle of the Lakota. They were are a passionate people but it seemed to me they were also very respectful, of each other, of their tradition's and especially of each individuals spiritual life.
This overwhelmingly, was the thing that struck me the most.. they really listened to each other when they were speaking. Around the center fire, sharing a pipe, one man would talk and there would be a respectful silence afterwards, as the others would carefully consider his words. I think Blevins has captured the way the Lakota thought and behaved. His Crazy Horse was well known among his people for speaking very little in meetings. But lots of words don't necessarily have more meaning. He commanded the utmost respect for his profound thoughts and was considered worthy to become a chief (a Big Belly) by many of his people, although he refused that honour.
Of course, there is necessarily some fiction in the story, because although the facts of this period in America's history are very well researched, well known and documented... the internal thoughts of each character have to be from the author's imagination. Yet I feel, he was able to expertly extrapolate those thoughts from the real person's actions. One further point, I was glad that the battle of Little Big Horn was not the only and main focus of the story, although it is featured in fine detail, and is as factually sound as possible from historical personal accounts of the survivors. This story is about so much more than 'just' one battle.
The entire story hangs together in such a beautiful way, that it filled me with sadness for their lost way of life and the confinement of a natural, wild and free ranging people. After reading this, I had the privilege of travelling to some of the places mentioned in the book and was blown away by the experience, combined with this fresh knowledge of its turbulent history.
This is a book well worth reading. Highly Recommended!
May 28, 2017
Ive been working on this book for a while now.. and im thinking im done with it. At least for a while. Now its not that im not enjoying it, in parts, but its like an upwards battle. It is incredibly hard to stay interested in this book, but im willing to give it another go later on but for right now i have to distance myself and read something else.
I had high hopes and im not too impressed, but im not giving up yet!
I had high hopes and im not too impressed, but im not giving up yet!
February 25, 2014
Crazy Horse is one of those spectacular American heroes, but no one has ever captured the spiritual underpinnings of his life the way this book does. A "must read" for all fans of western, Native Americian, or historical fiction.
May 2, 2021
This was a very engaging novel telling the story of the Lakota Sioux, Crazy Horse. The story starts out when Crazy Horse was a 16-year old adolescent with the name Light Curly Hair. He later earns his father's title of "His Crazy Horse" with his deeds in warfare. His hair is light colored and many in the tribe think he has some white blood in his veins. This is untrue but it makes young Curly feel isolated. And then he seeks out a vision, unsupervised, which shows himself as a warrior and a leader that can't be harmed by the white man's bullets. The vision shows him riding from lightning and hail which become his only markings as the man Crazy Horse. Curly Hair is urged by his mentor to fulfill his visions but he is afraid of the great burden this may bring. Meanwhile, the Lakota are troubled by the lack of buffalo for food while the whites are violating their treaties. Then after the end of the Civil War, more troops come to fight the Indians along with more settlers and miners seeking gold. Curly is now Crazy Horse after he shows valor in battle against the white soldiers. The people trust his leadership and Crazy Horse knows that he must show both courage and intelligence. But Crazy Horse must also contend with other factions within the Lakota who want to see him fail and who plot to benefit themselves. This includes the war leader Red Cloud and others in his faction. Crazy Horse fights for the old ways but even after his victory at The Little Big Horn, the way of life for the Lakota is doomed. Later, after the tribe is moved to a reservation, the tribe members become more petty, more political, and more jealous of Crazy Horse. This eventually leads to his tragic betrayal and murder.
The author of this novel based it primarily on historical fact. Of course, he took some liberties in getting into the mind of Crazy Horse and the other players in this very long historical saga. But I think he used the available knowledge of Crazy Horse and the Lakota to fashion a very realistic telling of his story. This is not a novel to be read swiftly but one to savor over several days or weeks. It really sheds some light and information on the great Sioux warrior and I would recommend it highly.
The author of this novel based it primarily on historical fact. Of course, he took some liberties in getting into the mind of Crazy Horse and the other players in this very long historical saga. But I think he used the available knowledge of Crazy Horse and the Lakota to fashion a very realistic telling of his story. This is not a novel to be read swiftly but one to savor over several days or weeks. It really sheds some light and information on the great Sioux warrior and I would recommend it highly.
February 16, 2019
You have to have an interest in our Native American history to enjoy this book and especially in the Lakota Sioux. Yes, it is the true story of the life of Crazy Horse but it is also the story of the end of a way of life that had been going on for centuries. The author became Lakota before writing this book and it changed his life. Their way of thinking is detailed in the book and seems so logical compared to ours. They take care of their sick, aged, and children above all else. They even have "men who live as women" with no issues!
October 7, 2017
Stone Song is a fascinating novel about the life of Crazy Horse. The author spent years studying the history of Crazy Horse before he thought he could render his story with enough understanding. His dedication shows. This is a very spiritual book, very violent in places, but Crazy Horse is a wonderful character to get to know. He was a powerful man of deep spiritual beliefs. Well worth a read.
August 27, 2017
The author made this novel free for a limited time on Kindle, so I accepted the offer.
This novel is dedicated to Crazy Horse and told from his perspective. I was skeptical about it until I learned about the author's extensive research, which took him years and included language studies. Crazy Horse is an enigmatic character, but Blevins constructs a narrative around historical fact that proceeds in a plausible way. I especially appreciated Blevins' exploration of Crazy Horse's magic. Larry McMurtry references it in his biography, but I couldn't see into it. Blevins helped me enter a spiritual tradition that provided insight into the attainment and the cost of this magic. I especially appreciated the dignity that Blevins grants Crazy Horse throughout his life and his death, showing how his actions were consistent with the values of the Lakota warrior culture. Blevins provides suggestions for future reading, a pronunciation guide, a list of characters, both historic and imaginary, and a guide to geographic places. He also makes clear what parts of the narrative are historical and what is imaginary. Although I agree that the text is monotonous in places due to use of the main character's internal monologue as a narrative technique, the writing seeped into my brain and I found myself thinking of Crazy Horse and his tribe throughout my time with the novel. I recommend this novel highly to anyone interested in a fictional representation about the 19th century Indian Wars against the Lakota.
This novel is dedicated to Crazy Horse and told from his perspective. I was skeptical about it until I learned about the author's extensive research, which took him years and included language studies. Crazy Horse is an enigmatic character, but Blevins constructs a narrative around historical fact that proceeds in a plausible way. I especially appreciated Blevins' exploration of Crazy Horse's magic. Larry McMurtry references it in his biography, but I couldn't see into it. Blevins helped me enter a spiritual tradition that provided insight into the attainment and the cost of this magic. I especially appreciated the dignity that Blevins grants Crazy Horse throughout his life and his death, showing how his actions were consistent with the values of the Lakota warrior culture. Blevins provides suggestions for future reading, a pronunciation guide, a list of characters, both historic and imaginary, and a guide to geographic places. He also makes clear what parts of the narrative are historical and what is imaginary. Although I agree that the text is monotonous in places due to use of the main character's internal monologue as a narrative technique, the writing seeped into my brain and I found myself thinking of Crazy Horse and his tribe throughout my time with the novel. I recommend this novel highly to anyone interested in a fictional representation about the 19th century Indian Wars against the Lakota.
May 8, 2018
achingly long. slow, confusing and unnecessarily complex. not at all what it could have been, or was advertised to be. after reading a great biography of general custer, a supposedly well-done book about crazy horse seemed like a logical next step. but a satisfactory follow-up will have to be from a different book, not this quasi-kerouac, stream-of-consciousness, half-in-a-dream, reverse xenophobic, barely historically accurate fictional account. it's written to be a telenovella mixed with an IFC 'slow burn' series and is clearly yet another example of how spoon-fed masses get suckered into liking something, while a few outliers can see the real deal. then again, a number of reviews mentioned really enjoying it while intoxicated, medicated, or otherwise under an influence... so maybe i missed a chance to have a chemically-induced, mind-altering experience? nah, probably not...
August 29, 2017
Should be required reading
For anyone interested in American/human history this is a must read. It may be a novel and the internal life of the characters is imagined and treated as a work of art but the bones of this novel rest on historical fact. What makes us human? This book makes you question that. Have we learned to treat each other with respect regardless of cultural background? What do we need to learn collectively as humanity to get there? What is missing from the way we are brought up and educated that we still fight each other and separate ourselves into us and them - dehumanizing each other in order to feel better about exploiting entire groups of people.
For anyone interested in American/human history this is a must read. It may be a novel and the internal life of the characters is imagined and treated as a work of art but the bones of this novel rest on historical fact. What makes us human? This book makes you question that. Have we learned to treat each other with respect regardless of cultural background? What do we need to learn collectively as humanity to get there? What is missing from the way we are brought up and educated that we still fight each other and separate ourselves into us and them - dehumanizing each other in order to feel better about exploiting entire groups of people.
October 18, 2007
Another book I had to read for my Native American class. This book was about Crazy Horse's life from birth until death. Although the book is technically fiction, a lot of it involved actual figures and events. I wasn't too crazy about this book, because I found parts of it boring and other parts a little overblown in its spirituality for lack of a better word. But I think anyone who's really interested in Crazy Horse or Native American life in the late 19th century should pick this book up.
September 2, 2008
historial fiction: story of life of Crazy Horse from Crazy Horse's point of view
warning: you'll never be able to look on MT Rushmore again without feeling a deep sorrow for how it desecrates holy land
warning: you'll never be able to look on MT Rushmore again without feeling a deep sorrow for how it desecrates holy land
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January 31, 2013Can anybody tell me the plot structure for this book?
April 1, 2020
Crazy horse
Wonderful book, made me feel closer to history. All the different lodges, the family ties among them. I really enjoyed reading this.
Wonderful book, made me feel closer to history. All the different lodges, the family ties among them. I really enjoyed reading this.
September 29, 2017
This book tells the story from the point of view of the native American tribes that lived in the Dakotas at the time the white men were taking land and mining the areas that had been their hunting grounds for decades. The story is of His Crazy Horse who lived by the old ways and had his vision at a very young age. He was a warrior, a fighter and also very spiritual. The story is poignant and very sad in places. This is a well researched story not told in the history books. It's not something that unless we study the lives and culture of the native Americans, we are familiar with. I found the story extremely sad on many levels. It was sad to see these basic peace loving people deprived of their land and treated as savages when their culture was more advanced than the white men. It was so sad to see that the white men and the soldiers never even asked what the symbolism of the Indians culture, clothing and adornments meant. They didn't acknowledge their culture even when the Indians were cordial and inviting. It was also sad to see the derision between the tribes and that deceit was accepted by the soldiers without any rebuttal from the accused. It was also sad to see that greed for riches and profits were one of the reasons that the native Americans were driven off their land which they had nurtured and respected for centuries. It appears that as caretakers of our environment, we haven't learned much through the years as far as preserving the land and the resources which are essential to our well being. We continue to exploit the land and pollute the waters in the name of profit. An example is the way, our government treated the native Americans just recently at Standing Rock. The story of His Crazy Horse is a story of the spirituality of a good man who was quiet, appeared aloof but was very loving and caring when it came to his people and their way of life. A story everyone who is interested in the history of the native Americans of that era would find very enlightening.
September 24, 2018
Author Win Blevins’ extensive and passionate research is obvious in Stone Song: A Novel of the Life of Crazy Horse. Reading this novel carried me back to the early days of our country when native cultures clashed with land and gold seekers coming to the Northern Great Plains.
Crazy Horse, an Oglala Lakota Sioux, is one of history’s great warriors, perhaps best known for his role in defeating Custer at Little Big Horn.
The story covers most of Crazy Horse’s life, beginning in his youth when he was known as Light Curly Hair. He was often referred to as Strange Man, the result of a vision he had as a youth when he took certain vows that made him different than other young warriors. Crazy Horse considered himself a loner who wished to avoid politics. He rarely gave his opinion, but tried to stay true to his path.
The expansive novel offers views of Native People as a culture, giving the reader more understanding of the heart of a warrior. Time and again Crazy Horse’s people were betrayed and deceived by the white man. The Lakota and other Native Peoples watched their way of life dwindle to patches of barren land unsuitable for sustaining themselves. But it wasn’t only the white man who betrayed Crazy Horse; his fellow tribesmen also plotted against him.
Although the author claims the novel as a work of imagination, his in-depth research has created a vivid account of a prominent historical figure. At the end of the book, in the Afterword, Blevins claims that an author must “... see his subject not analytically but holistically, as in a dream. Then he must sing boldly the song of his dream....” Win Blevins has accomplished that goal in this novel. It is a masterpiece.
Crazy Horse, an Oglala Lakota Sioux, is one of history’s great warriors, perhaps best known for his role in defeating Custer at Little Big Horn.
The story covers most of Crazy Horse’s life, beginning in his youth when he was known as Light Curly Hair. He was often referred to as Strange Man, the result of a vision he had as a youth when he took certain vows that made him different than other young warriors. Crazy Horse considered himself a loner who wished to avoid politics. He rarely gave his opinion, but tried to stay true to his path.
The expansive novel offers views of Native People as a culture, giving the reader more understanding of the heart of a warrior. Time and again Crazy Horse’s people were betrayed and deceived by the white man. The Lakota and other Native Peoples watched their way of life dwindle to patches of barren land unsuitable for sustaining themselves. But it wasn’t only the white man who betrayed Crazy Horse; his fellow tribesmen also plotted against him.
Although the author claims the novel as a work of imagination, his in-depth research has created a vivid account of a prominent historical figure. At the end of the book, in the Afterword, Blevins claims that an author must “... see his subject not analytically but holistically, as in a dream. Then he must sing boldly the song of his dream....” Win Blevins has accomplished that goal in this novel. It is a masterpiece.
June 5, 2018
STONE SONG, A NOVEL OF THE LIFE OF CRAZY HORSE (Tasunke Witko) BY WIN BLEVINS
It a biographical novel about Crazy Horse, Tasunke Witko, who was so odd or distinctly himself, that his own people called him Our Strange Man. Blevins explains that this work was 18 years in the writing. He spends time wth the Lakota people and areas where Crazy Horse may have spent trying to familiarize himself with their customs, believes and ways.
Blevins writes, "The principal characters and large events of this novel come from history. The interior lives of these characters, their emotions, and the meaning of these events to them are imagined." He also writes, "Meanwhile, though this is admitedly a wild tale, I swear to you that every statement in it is literally true."
My review is that it is a strange book, as Blevin admitted a wild tale, one that didn't open up to me immediately but I kept reading hoping that it would, and about half way through it finally did. It is interesting to see from a native American's perspective what happened to them during the period their lands were being taken from them and they forced onto reservations.
This book has some sensitive material. Because of that I would not suggest it to all readers. Those who do read it, may understand a little more about the internal battle the native American struggled with, some of their beliefs and practices, as well as the treatment they suffered by unvirtuous people. The author does not make the American indian without feelings, good and bad, as he writes about Crazy Horse.
It a biographical novel about Crazy Horse, Tasunke Witko, who was so odd or distinctly himself, that his own people called him Our Strange Man. Blevins explains that this work was 18 years in the writing. He spends time wth the Lakota people and areas where Crazy Horse may have spent trying to familiarize himself with their customs, believes and ways.
Blevins writes, "The principal characters and large events of this novel come from history. The interior lives of these characters, their emotions, and the meaning of these events to them are imagined." He also writes, "Meanwhile, though this is admitedly a wild tale, I swear to you that every statement in it is literally true."
My review is that it is a strange book, as Blevin admitted a wild tale, one that didn't open up to me immediately but I kept reading hoping that it would, and about half way through it finally did. It is interesting to see from a native American's perspective what happened to them during the period their lands were being taken from them and they forced onto reservations.
This book has some sensitive material. Because of that I would not suggest it to all readers. Those who do read it, may understand a little more about the internal battle the native American struggled with, some of their beliefs and practices, as well as the treatment they suffered by unvirtuous people. The author does not make the American indian without feelings, good and bad, as he writes about Crazy Horse.
April 15, 2021
This book has much history in it. The only fiction is what was possibly in the minds of the characters. The strongest point for me was the horrendous way the whites treated the Indians; the promises that were made and then broken time after time. This book served to strengthen my feelings of respect for the Indians and shame for those people who came to America and treated the Indians so horribly. We are led to believe that the Indians were the hostile people when in reality they simply wanted to be left alone to live in peace. But we wouldn't allow that! Because they didn't dress like us, talk like us, and worship like us we treated them like they were less than us. We moved in and took away their ability to provide food for their families and walked all over their sacred places. We would never stand for anyone to come in and dig up our graveyards, or to build houses and high rises on our buried loved ones but we expected the Indians to allow us to do just that as we moved west. This book is a long one and is a slow read because of the Indian words. The author kindly put a glossary in the back of the book of the Indian words, their meanings, and their pronunciations, along with a list of the Indian tribes of the time and their names in English as well as Indian. The map in the beginning of the book gives one the lay of the land. Win Blevins did a grand job with this novel of more historical fact with just the hint of fiction!
March 28, 2024
Stone Song is very much out of my standard reading material; I know very little about American history, and even less about Native American history. I don't tend to read biographical fiction or non-fiction. In essence, I'm not even sure what piqued me to buy this book, however I'm absolutely glad that I did. It's an absolute tome of a novel that parses fiction and fact to narrate the life story of Crazy Horse from childhood to death. It's a very personalised novel, focusing heavily on Crazy Horse himself, but it's also a novel that deftly explores the culture and lifestyle of the Native Americans and the political backdrop of the white Americans coming in to claim their land, their lives and their freedoms.
Win Blevins describes the art of biographical fiction as both restricting ones self to what can be proven of the subject's life and to discover the profile of what is human and through imagination transform it into myth. And that sums up this novel well; it's a work of imaginative fiction, but Blevins has clearly done a huge amount of historical research to keep the fidelity of Crazy Horse's lived experience. What Blevins also does is structures the novel around the Native American experience, rather than the white colonisers. We see the whites through the eyes of the Native Americans, in all their strangeness. You get glimpses of American history, such as the Battle of Little Bighorn (or Cuthbert's Last Stand), but these are not given the importance they would have been in an Americanised novel.
Blevins manages to bring the culture and individuals of the Native Americans to life, along with depicting the harshness of the colonialist 'expansion' that was driving them from their homes. Yet he doesn't romanticise either side. Instead he takes you on a journey through one man's life; from being an outcast and an oddball to being one of the most respected Chief's in the group. He invites you to spend some time in these lives, seeing events through their eyes and challenging your own innate view of the world in the process.
This is a sprawling novel, yet at the same time it's very focused and individualistic. It immerses you in the culture that is so very different to our own. It drew my attention in from the first page and kept it. I'll be interested in reading more by the author as he's piqued my interest. I was a bit nervous going in as it's a huge book on a topic I know nothing about, but Blevins really outdid himself.
Win Blevins describes the art of biographical fiction as both restricting ones self to what can be proven of the subject's life and to discover the profile of what is human and through imagination transform it into myth. And that sums up this novel well; it's a work of imaginative fiction, but Blevins has clearly done a huge amount of historical research to keep the fidelity of Crazy Horse's lived experience. What Blevins also does is structures the novel around the Native American experience, rather than the white colonisers. We see the whites through the eyes of the Native Americans, in all their strangeness. You get glimpses of American history, such as the Battle of Little Bighorn (or Cuthbert's Last Stand), but these are not given the importance they would have been in an Americanised novel.
Blevins manages to bring the culture and individuals of the Native Americans to life, along with depicting the harshness of the colonialist 'expansion' that was driving them from their homes. Yet he doesn't romanticise either side. Instead he takes you on a journey through one man's life; from being an outcast and an oddball to being one of the most respected Chief's in the group. He invites you to spend some time in these lives, seeing events through their eyes and challenging your own innate view of the world in the process.
This is a sprawling novel, yet at the same time it's very focused and individualistic. It immerses you in the culture that is so very different to our own. It drew my attention in from the first page and kept it. I'll be interested in reading more by the author as he's piqued my interest. I was a bit nervous going in as it's a huge book on a topic I know nothing about, but Blevins really outdid himself.
August 10, 2025
Stone Song," by Win Blevins, is a captivating Irish fae romance that blends mythology, adventure, and a touch of mystery. The story follows Clare MacBride, a geology student who discovers her connection to ancient stones and a hidden world of Fae. She's drawn into a centuries-old conflict and must navigate a dangerous world alongside a mysterious, silver-eyed Fae, Elada.
The novel excels in its world-building, immersing the reader in Dublin's modern setting while seamlessly integrating the magical realm of the Fae. The characters are well-developed, with Clare's journey of self-discovery and her growing bond with Elada being particularly compelling. The plot is engaging, with a mix of suspenseful action and romantic tension as Clare uncovers secrets and confronts powerful forces. While some find the plot easily resolved, say the book's strength lies in its exploration of love, trust, and the power of belief within a richly imagined world. Overall, "Stone Song" offers a delightful escape into a world of magic and romance.
The novel excels in its world-building, immersing the reader in Dublin's modern setting while seamlessly integrating the magical realm of the Fae. The characters are well-developed, with Clare's journey of self-discovery and her growing bond with Elada being particularly compelling. The plot is engaging, with a mix of suspenseful action and romantic tension as Clare uncovers secrets and confronts powerful forces. While some find the plot easily resolved, say the book's strength lies in its exploration of love, trust, and the power of belief within a richly imagined world. Overall, "Stone Song" offers a delightful escape into a world of magic and romance.
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