The Last Human Bear

by Greg Sarris

An epic story of curses, love, hard-won independence, and healing—and the first novel in 28 years by a widely acclaimed Native writer.

"Lush and gripping." —Rebecca Solnit



Mary Hatcher lives with a curse—or is it a power that could make her life whole? A Native Pomo woman who comes of age in 1930s California, Mary keeps trying to make sense of her enigmatic family. Strange rumors spread about her. Her stepmother may have taught her how to become a Human Bear, a shapeshifter who can menace and poison enemies. Two men may love her—or love who they think she is. A mystery even to herself, Mary learns to pass between Native and white societies, tenaciously carving her own path as an independent woman. But as she explores love and desire, family inherited and chosen, and the secrets of the natural world, one question gnaws at Is she fated to do harm? Wry and richly lyrical, The Last Human Bear follows Mary from the Great Depression to the twenty-first century, when she commits a haunting final act. Inspired by the Native women elders who shaped Greg Sarris in his youth, it is the triumphant and revelatory return of an eminent novelist.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Indigenous, Historical, Native American

384 pages, Hardcover

First published June 16, 2026

About the author

Gregory Michael Sarris is the Chairman of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, the Graton Rancheria Endowed Chair in Creative Writing and Native American Studies at Sonoma State University, where he teaches classes in Native American Literature, American Literature, and Creative Writing.

Reviews

[Teresa]

This reflective book captures that, over time, we inevitably return to the lessons we once ignored in our youth—only now with the clarity to understand them. It thoughtfully explores how relationships and connections shape who we become, reminding us that success and growth are tied to the people who influence us along the way.

[Patrick Fassnacht]

Seeing the previews on this one-- with what seemed like some shared reverence for the author Greg Sarris-- I was pulled to check it out. Seeing some of the advertising quips and rereading the overviews for The Last Human Bear, it was one of those reads where I was not fully sure about investing in... and, then, when deciding to dive in, still not sure what really to expect inside.

Even after a handful of pages and the happenings beginning to set the frame, the back of my mind kept wondering about the Bear 'curse' and how the mystery would unfold. The next thing I know, I was about 25% of the way in, starting to smile to myself at some of Mary's young spunky comments, feeling Saturnina's stretched-thin patience being pulled on pretty hard.. and began to settle back into the couch, or porch chair... warming up my coffee... getting the dogs some more water... and silently carrying the book around, eyes wrapped up in how things were unfolding.

Make no mistake, this is not a thriller or mystical adventure story. Being so exquisitely led along through the early pages, the different life moments and the character interplay... each working their advancing years in their own personal ways.. I was hooked. Invested in what was coming along with and for them. Better than a many-episode show about a group of people that you come to follow, Sarris wove (sorry. not a basket pun here. really.) a narrative that curved and turned, twisted, flared, stalled, tripped forward.. backed up and reflected.. and somehow kept all of these disparate parts playing so incredibly well together. Moving the people and their events through life, impacting each other along the way-- directly, indirectly, by happenstance, ill intent, or just supposed assumptions, misperceptions and via the rumor mill or grapevine. (again. No intended reference here :) To Louis or their chapter(s)).

With The Last Human Bear, Greg Sarris has shared such a special story.
One that is in its own space, free of pretense, humble in its honorable pride, real with a quiet strength... where every person along the way adds a special richness that just masterfully accentuates and amplifies things and others.
Even when constantly shifting gears and emotions from embarrassment to renewed determination-- and back, and forth, again-- from anger and tumult to longing, despair, and nervous anticipation... the amazing thing just keeps you lost in turning pages, leaning into the conversations, metaphorically reaching out to feel the tight weaves in the baskets on the table, cringing or laughing with them... and has readers wondering and regretting along with Mary and the rest of the cast members.

I LOVE it when a book comes out in front of me, quiet in itself, not selling much of anything, firm in its own truth.. and before you know it, you come up for air, snapping back into your living room, feeling like you were just there with them all.
Flashing back to days playing cards with my own grandfather for hours, doing nothing but watching, learning, listening and helping... and sitting on Grandma's swing out front, listening to her and Great-Aunts talking about family and where they all came and went from...

It is a magical thing to have felt some of this here with Mary and the family, like she was passing along a life's bounty to readers-- oh, along with a bunch of trepidation and curiosity around all of the things that the others have said and alleged of her and her stepmom!!
Ha.
Trite to say 'one of the best reads this year' for me.. as this one will stick. For a long while. With many many fond moments having been experienced from this telling. Thank you, Mr. Sarris.

[Vikki]

The Last Human Bear is one of those books that asks for patience. It starts at a slow pace, and for a while I genuinely wasn't sure where the story was headed. In fact, I found myself confused until around the 60% mark, when the pieces finally began to click into place.

Greg Sarris's writing feels authentic to the time period and to Mary's perspective, but that authenticity can also make the prose challenging. There were moments when I had to reread passages because I wasn't entirely sure how certain phrases were meant or what was happening. That uncertainty, however, is also part of the novel's design. Mary herself doesn't fully understand the mysteries surrounding her family, the rumors of Human Bears, or the power she may—or may not—possess. As an unreliable narrator, we only know what she knows, making the gradual unraveling of the story feel like solving a mystery alongside her.

Once everything began to come together, I found myself far more invested. The novel becomes an emotional roller coaster, weaving together family secrets, identity, love, and folklore while exploring the realities of being a Native Pomo woman navigating both Native and white societies throughout the twentieth century.

One of the book's greatest strengths is that it doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of its historical setting. The difficult topics Mary encounters are handled with honesty, adding weight and depth to her journey without ever feeling exploitative.

While the slow beginning and occasionally difficult prose may not work for every reader, those willing to stick with it will find a thoughtful, layered story filled with history, mystery, and richly imagined folklore.

[Yvonne Glasgow]

The tale begins with a young teenage Native American girl finding out that nothing about her life so far is true. Her stepmom fills her in on the lies of her "father," why her mother never gave her any attention, and why her life was going to continue being a whirlwind of confusion. She begins teaching her "poisons," which is simply witchcraft. That's how it is described in the book -- but really the poisoners are just people who know how to use herbal remedies to get what they want, in a way.

And, if this doesn't seem intriguing enough, the story keeps getting better. Like the girl overhearing mention of some "bear business," and her former friend from the ranch they once all lived and worked on ignoring her and her step-mom saying it was because those people were all bad and didn't "like her mother." You read through this book in the same place the protagonist is -- the learning stages where nothing makes sense yet, but you need to know... so you keep reading.

Midway, the protagonist's tale turns into a love story, followed by a broken heart. Then her step-mom fell ill, and she learned about the woman walking like a human bear a couple of times... and that is when the story really starts to get interesting. Fortunately, you can read this book yourself to find out what happens. Just be warned, it's hard to put down once you get reading. And once you know the story of the human bear, it will never leave you.

[Melodie Coulter-Pennington]

Greg Sarris takes readers on what appears to be a magical adventure on the surface but is truly a character study of a complex woman. It's rare that I enjoy first-person narratives of women written by men, but Sarris has created a respectful and dynamic portrayal. Uncertainty in the world and of oneself is such a hallmark of the experience, and Last Human Bear captures that complexity. The pacing is true to life- gripping when it needs to be, and easy when it can be.
I loved the weaving of lore and curses and witchcraft into a very realistic story. Magical realism at its finest.

[Debbie Gorham]

I find it difficult/somewhat annoying to read a long novel written almost entirely with poor English. It's useful in that this is intended to be representative of what the character sounded like, theoretically, due to upbringing/culture. Still, it's a long slog reading first person crummy use of language. I could only make my way through half of this novel, as it is slow moving and boring. This may be close to what the life described and poor use of language would have been in 'real life' but it certainly makes for a stultifying read. Sorry to say I gave up half way through.

[Karen]

3.5 rounding down. Evocative time and place, interesting character, but the pace was slow for me and some plot points seemed to drag out while others were raised and disappeared seemingly without comment or ever to be mentioned again. The portrayal of California Indians as second (or third or fourth) class citizens struggling to hold on to identify and survive while being forced off their land and to the fringes of society was the most compelling part by far. Perhaps in need of a better editor…

[Karrie Seibel]

The Last Human Bear is a quiet, powerful novel that stayed with me long after I finished it. It follows Mary Hatcher, a Native Pomo woman whose life stretches from the Great Depression into the twenty-first century. From childhood, Mary has lived with rumors that she may be a Human Bear, or tolik, a shapeshifter from Pomo tradition believed to possess dangerous spiritual power.

What I loved most was Mary’s distinct narrative voice. It didn’t take long before I felt completely immersed in her perspective. Her story is not simply about whether she is a Human Bear, but about what it means to understand yourself when your identity, family, and cultural inheritance have been shaped by so much history.

This book made me think of the documentary 500 Nations. Both reminded me how much there is to learn about Indigenous peoples, their histories, and the ways those histories continue to shape lives today. I honestly think The Last Human Bear should be recommended reading for high school students. It opens the door to conversations about Indigenous identity, cultural traditions, trauma, family secrets, and the importance of listening to stories that are too often overlooked.

I also appreciated that this is a novel about learning to understand yourself. Through Mary’s memories and confessions, she begins to question what she has been told, what she has inherited, and what she wants to accept as her own. Her journey is reflective rather than plot-driven, but that is what makes it so meaningful.

My takeaways

📚 History matters. Understanding the past helps us understand the present.

🌿 Culture and identity are complex. They can be shaped by family, tradition, memory, and the stories others tell about us.

💭 We should never stop learning. A book can introduce us to a history or perspective we may never have encountered otherwise.

❤️ Stories help us understand people. Mary’s journey reminded me that every person carries experiences we may not see.

🎓 Education should open doors. Books like this encourage curiosity, empathy, and a desire to learn more.

I would definitely recommend this book to readers who enjoy literary fiction, Indigenous literature, and stories that make you think. It is a reminder that learning about history and culture is not about knowing everything—it is about being willing to listen, ask questions, and continue learning.

A beautiful, thoughtful read that I would love to see more people discover. 📖

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[Ashley]

The story follows Mary Hatcher, a Native Pomo woman whose life spans from the Great Depression into the twenty-first century. Since childhood, she's lived under rumors that she may be a Human Bear (tolik), a shapeshifter from Pomo tradition believed to possess dangerous spiritual power. Mary spends much of her life questioning whether this is truly a curse, a gift, or simply the way others have chosen to define her. She has such a distinct narrative voice that it didn’t take long before I felt completely immersed in her perspective.
Through Mary's story, Greg Sarris explores Indigenous identity and cultural inheritance, the lasting effects of trauma and family secrets, the tension between embracing and rejecting one's heritage, and the power of storytelling, myth, and memory. It's a quiet, reflective novel that's much more focused on Mary's journey than on plot. It’s only through this journey that Mary is able to understand herself; through her confessions in the latter part of the novel, she begins to accept the powers passed down to her.
It takes a little while to get moving, as a lot of character-driven stories do. But by the end, it's obvious why that slower pace matters. Every bit of exposition builds Mary's character, making the emotional payoff feel completely earned. Looking back, I wouldn't have wanted those early chapters any other way.
What I appreciated most was how deeply human Mary felt. She isn't always likable, and she certainly doesn't make the "right" decisions, but that's exactly what makes her such a compelling protagonist. Watching her wrestle with who she is, what she inherits, and how she's perceived by others made for a thought-provoking reading experience. By the end, I found myself reflecting on her story long after I'd finished the book.
THE LAST HUMAN BEAR isn't a book I'd recommend if you're looking for a fast-paced story, and that's not a negative critique in any way, shape, or form. It's a thoughtful, character-driven novel, and those are often the stories that stay with me the longest. This one definitely lingered long after I turned the final page.


For Fans Of: literary fiction, historical fiction, indigenous voices and storytelling, character-driven novels

[Charlene Mccaughey O'Neill]

“But there was comfort, albeit a kind of resigned comfort, knowing that the changes was unstoppable.”


This beautifully written novel spans nearly 100 years from the Great Depression to the 21st century as it follows the life of Mary Hatcher, a Native American woman. As a norm, women have struggled to find their place in history and even harder when you are of a culture that was once nearly wiped out. Mary rises from the ashes and meets her problems head on.



Mary is being raised by a stepmother who is preparing her to be a Human Bear. This requires a broad knowledge of plants, herbs, and animals. As you read, you will discover how important nature and music are to the belief systems of Native Americans. The different Native American groups (called Indians) are as separated from one another as they are from different groups, such as the Mexicans and the Okies. They work “together” as they pick the crops as the seasons change.



Mary takes some time to figure out who she is; what group she wants to be a part of and the ones she does not. How does she handle being loved and being in love? Does she accept who she is or does she change who she is to fit into a different mold? Can she do both? Mary finds herself in situations difficult for any woman, but especially a Native American/Indian. Who does she trust? Like most women, she discovers the strength within herself. Finding and accepting who she is, what she will and will not tolerate, and acknowledging the generational history of her ancestors.


“Time is the utmost thief. The end.”



As you read, her home and land in California changed around her. It is a slow-motion growth from open fields and Prohibition to bustling shopping centers. When life changes do you bend and reinvent yourself? If you do reinvent yourself, can you find the way back to who you truly are?

[Lauren Jones]

THE LAST HUMAN BEAR by Greg Sarris recounts a woman’s life from her own perspective. Mary Hatcher, an Indian girl, is raised by a step-mother, in a small one bedroom cabin. Seasonal harvesting is how they survive. During the time of this story, there were not many options economically for an Indian woman, so working the fields was an ideal way to steer clear of trouble. As Mary ages, her step-mother shares stories, songs, and knowledge of an old lineage of Pomo women, known as tolik, translated as “human bear” or shapeshifter. Throughout the years, Mary must choose whether to believe the stories or dismiss them as she learns how to navigate this new world that is forming around her with every new decade.

The significance and the depth of which Sarris provides to this legend is layered and beautifully written. Since this story is Mary’s narrative, the broken English and the knowledge she has of her culture lends authenticity that makes the story deeply affecting. While slower paced at times, it’s intimate and has raw emotion that amplifies the reader’s experience. I found the historical context within the pages to be captivating and it spurred me forward. Also, reading about Sarris’s background and how the story was formed, who the story was inspired by, and the cultural integration he has with the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria from Sonoma County, are fascinating and lend an originality to the book.

Readers who enjoy Native American and Literary Fiction work will find this one equally pleasing. Mary’s story not only pulls you in, but will subtlety make you question choices you’ve made within your own life, creating reflection points throughout the chapters.

[Lit Folio]

It pains me to write this review. The author is a superb prose writer, lovely in his precision details and elegance. That was not the problem. The clarity of the prose brims with life. The problem is the excruciating slow pace of the narrative and a not-very-compelling main character. She is Native American of the territory comprising Santa Rosa, CA and its outlying environs. It's an understandable scenario where the Natives of the area are of low rank and subsist by taking seasonal work stints in the vast agricultural sphere that makes up a large swath of California's economy. The setting is in the Great Depression era.

Understand, you can be a maid hired in upper crust white society and be a compelling character. (see Honore de Balzac, the master of depicting class in French society). Our protagonist is anything but. Perhaps she grows more into this vengeful 'Bear', but I could not stick around to tolerate the slow prose to find out. (I stopped a good ways in- 250 pages) I also found their culture kinda boring. The lists of earth medicines, basket weaving skills, trips to the thrift stores notwithstanding. Native culture can be made to be far more interesting and involving than what we find with this noble and exquisitely written effort. I can't help but think that the edict to 'entertain, entertain entertain' (Tom Wolfe) is completely vacant here. Also, the excessively slow pace was a problem. I go by Italo Calvino's philosophy that a viable work of fiction must contain these ingredients: "swiftness, lightness, visability, multiplicity". Sarris superbly conveys two of these principles. Not enough to keep this reader engaged.

[Elin]

THE LAST HUMAN BEAR follows the life of Mary Hatcher, a member of the Pomo tribe in California. Raised during the Great Depression, she experiences both racism and segregation. However, due to her mixed parentage, she is also neither Indian, nor white. Despite her best attempts to increase her social status, and foster opportunities, Mary is haunted by the notion that she may be a “tolik”, or human bear. Her stepmother Saturnina claimed that she knew of the “bear business”, and upon her death, tricked Mary into continuing the curse. As much as she wants to believe that the legends are false, and that her stepmother was not a tolik, the notion follows her throughout her life. Time after time, the Pomo community accuses Mary of causing harm. The daughter of a hated mother, and the alleged source of several "poisonings", she is trapped by their claims and is further reminded of her curse. Mary is forced to choose, will she reject the idea that she is dangerous, or find peace through the acceptance that she is indeed THE LAST HUMAN BEAR?

Immersive, and beautifully written. Greg Sarris provides readers with an evocative introduction to California’s indigenous culture and its Pomo people. I found this book both thrilling and heartbreaking and loved how the old legends were expertly woven through Mary’s life. Sarris offers readers a fantastic initiation into indigenous storytelling and I found myself wanting to learn more. Audiences will relate to Mary Hatcher and recognize the loneliness that comes from being caught in between two realities.

[Raisa Mbalule]

A Thoughtful Blend of Folklore, History, and Family

THE LAST HUMAN BEAR is an unusual blend of historical fiction, folklore, and family drama that follows Mary Hatcher through a long and complicated life. Her uncertainty about the Human Bear stories surrounding her family gives the novel an intriguing sense of mystery, while her experiences as a Pomo woman navigating both Native and white communities add considerable depth. The story takes its time, allowing Mary's personality and relationships to develop gradually rather than rushing through the decades.

I enjoyed how naturally the author incorporates Pomo traditions, stories, and beliefs into Mary's everyday experiences. The Human Bear legend remains just ambiguous enough to keep readers wondering whether Mary is dealing with something supernatural, inherited expectations, or simply the weight of other people's beliefs. Her voice also gives the novel plenty of character, particularly as she wrestles with love, independence, family, and the question of who she is meant to become.

THE LAST HUMAN BEAR is ultimately less about solving a supernatural mystery and more about understanding identity, heritage, and the stories that shape a person. I found the slower pacing and distinctive narration suited the reflective nature of Mary's journey, even though some readers may need a little patience with the way the story unfolds. Readers who enjoy character-driven historical fiction with folklore, cultural themes, and a touch of mystery will likely find this to be a fascinating and memorable read.

[Megan]

I really didn’t have any expectations when I started The Last Human Bear, but it turned out to be a unique and memorable read. This isn't a fast-paced novel, instead it's the kind of story that takes its time, letting you get to know Mary and the complicated life she's lived.

Mary is one of those characters who feels very real because she isn't always easy to like. She makes mistakes, holds onto regrets, and spends much of her life trying to figure out who she is and whether the stories surrounding her family's Human Bear legacy define her. That uncertainty kept me invested in her journey.

I also appreciated how naturally the book weaves together Native Pomo traditions, family history, folklore, and the enormous changes happening in California over the course of Mary's lifetime. It never felt like I was being lectured; instead, I felt like I was hearing someone's life story, complete with all its joys, heartbreaks, and unanswered questions.

The writing is beautiful, but I do think it's a book that asks for your patience. There were a few places where the story slowed down more than I would have liked, which is why it's a four-star read for me instead of five. Still, the characters, themes, and atmosphere made it worth sticking with.

[Cali Emperador]

I absolutely adored this book. THE LAST HUMAN BEAR is a very thoughtful and unique story following the entire life of a Native American woman as the times around her change and the life she knows has shifted. Though the summary puts strong emphasis on a curse that follows her, it is important to note that this is not a fantasy or magical story (which I had mistaken it for) by any means. The curse is central to the story, however the emphasis of the book largely comes from the main character, Mary's narration of the important and very realistic events in her life.

Her narrative voice is so strong that it stuck with me even when reading other works, I kept expecting her voice instead of whatever it was I was actually reading. Mary feels so deeply real and human in a way that a lot of authors tend to struggle with writing. She is stubborn and yet very introspective, she makes decisions or says things that we as the audience aren't meant to agree with but rather understand where they are coming from. A very powerful story of a woman growing up to understand the intricacies of both her oppression as a Native American woman, her privilege within her community, and gaining an appreciation for her culture.

[Adrienne]

This was a great novel and wonderful depiction of Native American story-telling. It's a reminder that so much of what we know and learned is shared through experiences, stories from elders and more. I enjoyed Mary's way of telling her story and it felt authentically written in the way her language was a little stilted and grammatically incorrect at time. I wasn't expecting there to be love stories mixed in, but that was a nice twist for Mary's life and how she grew from that experience and the later choices she made. The whole concept of poisoning or witchcraft was interesting. It made sense that those knowledgable of herbs for medicine and remedies would be considered witches of sorts. But some of the events were left up to speculation...was it witchcraft or just chance? My favorite parts of the novel were the songs and the connection of the songs to basket weaving, picking herbs, and talking to animals.I found it sad toward the end as Mary was nearing 100 years old and finally realizing what Saturnina was trying to teach her which was a way to hold on to her Indian heritage and way of doing things in a modernizing world. It really was a wonderful book and very enriching in its content and connection to history.

[Deborah]

"Mary Hatcher lives with a curse—or is it a power that could make her life whole? A Native Pomo woman who comes of age in 1930s California, Mary keeps trying to make sense of her enigmatic family. Strange rumors spread about her. Her stepmother may have taught her how to become a Human Bear, a shapeshifter who can menace and poison enemies. Two men may love her—or love who they think she is. A mystery even to herself, Mary learns to pass between Native and white societies, tenaciously carving her own path as an independent woman. But as she explores love and desire, family inherited and chosen, and the secrets of the natural world, one question gnaws at Is she fated to do harm? Wry and richly lyrical, The Last Human Bear follows Mary from the Great Depression to the twenty-first century, wheother n she commits a haunting final act. Inspired by the Native women elders who shaped Greg Sarris in his youth, it is the triumphant and revelatory return of an eminent novelist."

Slow-paced, which was sometimes difficult for me to continue. Very interesting, but, for me, too much emphasis on curses and other-worldly issues.

Too much

[Melissa “littlemaybooks”]

Epic in its storytelling

The narrative of The Last Human Bear is as immersive as sitting around a campfire listening to an elder tell you their life story and where their family came from. You can feel as if you’re there with Mary, reliving her memories, and walking in her footsteps.

While she may not be the most likable of protagonists at times, that makes her all the more human. She’s incredibly flawed and watching her discover her flaws and grow in to the old woman she becomes is incredibly rewarding. It’s almost impossible to put the book down once you get started.

There are a few sections that the pacing slows down and makes it hard to keep up with, but poor Mary keeps taking the hits and keeps getting back up again, which makes you want to keep reading to see what happens next. After all, how much can one woman possibly go through in one lifetime? You’d be surprised. As a half Indian, half possibly Mexican who can pass as white, she has her fair share of experiences. Will you be rooting for Mary?

[Charles Magesa]

Unique and Thought-Provoking


THE LAST HUMAN BEAR by Greg Sarris is a one-of-a-kind and captivating novel that ignites the reader’s imagination. The story immerses readers in a mysterious world of multiculturalism, self-discovery, love, betrayal, and the power of belief as they follow Mary Hatcher's journey. The human bear business is a mystery that the main character seeks to uncover: whether it's a blessing or a curse, whether it's helping her do good or evil. 

The story is compelling, and readers will find the book hard to put down once they start reading, eager to discover whether Mary Hatcher will be "THE LAST HUMAN BEAR," or she will find an heir just like her grandmother and stepmother. At first, the reader might think the book has used the wrong verb forms, but the author deliberately uses this to depict the narrator's language level, which adds to the fun of the story. The cover illustrations befit the theme of the story. Fans of literary fiction and mystery stories will enjoy reading this book. 

[Donna Costello]

THE LAST HUMAN BEAR: A NOVEL is such a fantastic book that I’m sincerely glad I took the weekend to read.
We’re told the tale from Mary’s POV and those first few pages had me hooked within the first few lines because she had such a clear voice. I found her to be very entertaining, and was thoroughly invested in her journey. It’s very hard to do that with characters especially from the get-go but the author managed it wonderfully, and more importantly we were kept engaged throughout the story by this character.
I wouldn’t say that this is a fast-paced book but it’s certainly one you can’t stop thinking about when you are forced to it aside, which is a trait well worth its gold.
I very much enjoyed learning about the native aspects of the novel, and at no point did it feel like an info dump, it felt more like an experience as we were seeing these things through the eyes of the character.
I would definitely recommend THE LAST HUMAN BEAR: A NOVEL if you are looking for an engrossing, character driven read this summer.

[Misty Knapp]

The Last Human Bear wasn't a favorite of mine to read but it's the story of Mary Hatcher, a Native Pamo teen, who comes of age, during the 1930s, in California. The story starts out slowly, with the burial of her mother, and her "father" leaving her with her stepmother.
We learn that her stepmother, teaches her the family lore, the fact that Mary might be the last human bear, a shapeshifter, with the power to poison people and how to use herbs, in doing so. As most of the Pamos spend their days picking crops, Mary spends her time wondering if what she's been told is right.
When she's older, she seeks employment in the household of the people where she knows the son was her father. What she doesn't expect, was that she fell in love with his brother. Mary experiences confusion and heartbreak. She had decided that she wanted to fit in with the white world, leaving behind the Pamos world and family lore, but didn't know it would be this hard. Once heartbroken, she returns to the Pamos world. Mary slowly learns what is important in this life.

[Katharine Austin]

I don't think I expected the story to start out so slowly. At first, I felt like it was going in circles. Was Mary's father really her father?? She never really found out. Was her mother involved with the Benedict's oldest son without anyone knowing or was Mary being taken from her the reason she killed herself?? There was never an answer to that either. I think Saturnina was bitter and given a child to raise that she didn't want. Even with teaching Mary what she knew, I don't think she was happy with raising a child that wasn't hers.
For Mary to live as long as she did, falling in love twice with 2 completely different types of men and see all of the changes in society around her is amazing. For her to rebuild her life numerous times despite what people said about her shows a strong sense of self. The only other question that never really got answered was whether or not she was a poisoner or the last of her kind as a human bear.

[Cat Hutch]

From the very beginning, the reader is catapulted into an aggressive and brutal narrative. THE LAST HUMAN BEAR will appeal to fans of historical fiction with zero romanticism and a heavy emphasis upon realism. The protagonist’s initially belligerent tone relinquishes after a short while and settles into a smoother flow, giving way to a questioning lament rather than a brusque attack. Whilst the inconsistency in narrative style may be niggling for some readers (the narrator's idiolect seems to slip between standard and non-standard grammar choices), this may be a stylistic device to emphasize particular stages or events within the plot. In sum, Sarris’ novel is a unique and fascinating insight into the rich culture and diversity of native American communities.

[Bluechickyus]

I won this book from a giveaway on GoodReads and I’m really happy I put my name on the list for it. This is a slow burn book that mostly focuses on character development over the course of many years. I love this kind of plot so it was a really good book to get invested in. I wasn’t sure where it was going at first, and honestly I’m still left with a few questions lingering, but I love how I got to know all the good and bad about Mary Hatcher and followed her story from being a teenager to in her 90s. I rooted for her at times and also I was really aggravated with her at times too, but that’s part of life. I would recommend this book and will be checking out some of the other books by Greg Sarris.

[Laura Bergman]

The Last Human Bear was a joy to read. The story moves between the real and spiritual worlds in a way that pulls the reader in quickly. Mary is a compelling main character who grows wiser over the course of her long life. She can be fierce and empathetic, and as she matures, introspective. Looking back on lessons from her elders that once felt like hurdles, she accepts the life she's been given with grace and gratitude, even the possibility that she may be a "Human Bear," a shapeshifter with the power to kill. I loved following Mary from childhood through first love to elderhood, and through the many changes she witnesses along the way, from the phonograph and the car to the telephone and other modern conveniences. Greg Sarris's prose is lyrically rich yet accessible, and it makes for an authentic and magical story.

[Gwen]

I have very mixed feelings after finishing this book. I learned a lot about how Native Americans in Northern California in the early 1900's slowly had their way of life stripped away by progress and land development, and how they mingled with Mexicans, Spaniards, and other immigrants. I was fascinated by the setting in Santa Rosa and the surrounding area. What I found difficult about this book is that I read most of it wondering what was going on with the main character and I often questioned if I wanted to keep reading the book. However, I was continually drawn back to the story, and by the end it all came together pretty well for me.

[Annie]

This is the kind of writing I crave. Similar to Robert Morgan or Ron Rash. The highest praise I can give is to compare an author to those two. This book was very different than I thought it would be based on the description. It’s raw, doesn’t shy away from recognizing the failures and follies of the narrator, who is an interesting person, and when I say interesting, I mean it. And it’s describing a part of American history I didn’t know about. That’s important. I’m getting ahold of more of Greg Sarris’ work to read, really looking forward to a story collection.

[Jeanie]

Confusing

This poor child never catches a break and it follows her into adulthood. I got lost a few times and tried to keep up with what she was doing and not doing. I felt sorry for Mary, but also felt she brought a lot of it on herself. She wanted to have a reason to not trust, to hurt, or to be angry. She wanted to be alone. It was so sad. Just a little happiness in her life, why did it always have to miserable? It is not a way for anyone to live.

[Sharon]

Worth reading. If Mary had been a real person, her fear and stubbornness would have led her to miss out on many good things, despite being unusually fortunate in that time and place. Catherine and Camille supposedly spent 15 years sitting around in their rooms, with small excursions for sewing (Catherine) and some garden and chicken time for the sister? Mary did some sewing and basket weaving, but only a little. This seems a terrible waste of their youth and vigor, blaming author for this.