Ghost Dancing: Short Fiction

by Anna Linzer

American Book Award Winner

A linked collection of stories about the lives of one Native American family in Washington state and Oklahoma

Story by graceful story, Ghost Dancing reveals the evolving worlds of Jimmy One Rock, his wife Mary, and their family as they struggle together on a decaying reservation in the Pacific Northwest. Alternating between Washington state and Jimmy's childhood on an Oklahoma reservation, these stories link past and present through memory, myth, ceremony, and a sly humor that undercuts the reverence of outsiders. In spare yet rich language, Anna Linzer creates a memorable portrait of contemporary Native American life.

Here is a collection as open and honest and authentic as the characters that it documents, appealing and accessible, as bittersweet as it is lovely. Readers of Joy Harjo, Leslie Marmon Silko, and N. Scott Momaday will discover these stories with pleasure.

Genres: Fiction, Native American

192 pages, Paperback

First published August 15, 1998

Reviews

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

The place of Native American cultures in present day America has received precious little authentic attention over the years. Most of us do not engage with the history, nor do we interact with present day Native American cultures to any meaningful degree. Novels like this one can help rectify that lack, can open our minds a bit to consider the heritages that remain, if struggling to survive. Then we can open up further and seek out interactions when they present themselves in our lives, hopefully with a less prejudiced vision. The stories in Anna Linzer's novel, revealing the role of storytelling and visions in the lives of her characters, will carry forward with us, helping is to see more clearly.

[Ana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bittersweet vignettes form this novel about Jimmy One Rock's reservation life.

[Jill Myers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be a compelling read. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I haven't had the pleasure of reading many books with modern Native Americans as the main characters, but now I hope to read more.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luminous stories. Her characters came to life for me - as they pondered love, stories, memories, hurts.
There is history here (of Lenape people in what is now mapped as Oklahoma, of people living by the Pacific Ocean, of schooling and awkward encounters - be warned, the White people usually look the most awkward) and stories (old ones, new ones, lived ones, comforting ones, and hard ones).

[Lori Erickson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found Ghost Dancing at a Friends of the Library book sale and picked it up with no knowledge of the book or author. I'm really glad I did. Beautiful in its simplicity, the book is written as a series of stories about Jimmy One Rock and his family. The characters are brought to life and connected to their culture, family, and ancestors through the stories they live, create, share, and remember. I look forward to reading more of Ms. Linzer's books.