The Morning the Sun Went Down: A Memoir

by Darryl Babe Wilson, Malcolm Margolin (Foreword)

Now considered a classic of California Indian writing. Highly regarded for authentic description of living between two worlds

Genres: Memoir, Native American, Indigenous, Nonfiction

200 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1997

Reviews

[Annis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual Rating 3.5
In this memoir of his childhood, Darryl Babe Wilson tells of his tribal Dreamtime life and culture as well as his survival as a poor native boy from a large family growing up in northeastern California. Extremely hard times and personal tragedy throw roadblocks in his way, but he finds his purpose and thrives.

Language and names from two native cultures are prominent throughout the book as Wilson strives to keep the language of the cultures alive. We see the effects of Europeans advancing across the nation, displacing and killing native Americans and taking over the land where The People had learned to live in communion with nature.

[Kaitlyn Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for English class, and it was a great book! Learned and reflected on many ideas.

[Nancy Schluntz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reminded me of a conversation I had with a Navajo man a couple of years ago. Regarding the imposition of American culture on the first peoples, the boarding schools, being punished for speaking their language and honoring their culture, he said "It changed us." His eyes looked hollow. This book, by Darryl Babe Wilson, gives a first-person account through a child's eyes of that time and that process: the lack of identity that comes from not receiving a tribal name; broken families; dispossession from the land. He says, "It is taught in our lessons and legends, and by our Elders, that The People are responsible for life upon earth. Honoring the lessons then becomes a mandate. . . ." He also says that his grandfather told him. "Don't complain, Babe, don't complain. Just do it better." With the lessons and perspective of this slim volume, perhaps we can.

[G Hasan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I encourage all mindful people to read this and take from it what gems they find.

[Corinne · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It is one of the customs of my people to seek power in nature. While the human being is complete in many ways, in the understanding of my people, the life spirit is limited, often weak, needing assistance. For this reason we must seek a power or a series of powers outside of ourselves which we identify as 'helpers.' Helpers can be trees or animals, rocks or mountains, stars or flowers, frogs or rainbows.
Helpers come to us in our time of need, and they guide our dreams. In our legends we are instructed that people were the last to be created and do not possess the best connection to the life forces that move all about. We need a helper or helpers.
A helper is acquired through a quest, a seeking, a lonesome vigil in a place where natural communication is uninterrupted. The person seeking 'petitions' the awesome unknown, comprising nature, to appoint him a helper. If the person is sincere in the quest, nature responds..." p. 111

[Jessica Rickert · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heart warming yet also heart breaking story of being Native American in a "white" world. I honestly wanted to apologize to all Native Americans after reading this touching book and give Babe a big hug and tell him how proud of him I am.

I won this book for free on the Good reads giveaways.

[janicec100 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of liked this autobiography of a Native American Indian born 1939 in CA. He taught me to "Best It"...to make the best of your situation. He also says that "All people must obey the great law, so the sweetness of life can continue."

[Camilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Profoundly beautiful, insightful and delightful. Fucking loved it.

[Baylan Megino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very few books actually bring me to a moment of tears. This one did. Babe Wilson shares his early life with such unusual candor and honesty. I finally understand how Native Americans view the Western world. And the one paragraph when he realizes how words join to create real communication... the sentence drives to an epiphany that brought tears to my eyes. Babe Wilson is a storyteller I could listen to for days...

So I went to meet him in Santa Cruz, California, and here's part of the interview: http://bit.ly/drbabe1

This is the first of a 5-part series of short storytelling videos by Sanny Leviste. videos are posted on YouTube on Sanny Leviste's channel. I hope you enjoy them :-)

[Katie B · Rating 5 out of 5]

To say Darryl Babe Wilson's life was full of sadness and hardship seems to be oversimplifying it. As a Native American growing up in California in the 1940s and 50s, Darryl experienced extreme poverty as well as a tragic event that changed his family forever. Given these circumstances, it is truly amazing he was able to go on to college and later earn a P.h.D.

Darryl is a terrific storyteller. I have read many memoirs over the years and this one packs a powerful punch. What I liked best about this book was his ability to tell stories from his childhood and capturing what it's like to be a kid and think like a kid.

I received a free copy of this book and that is my honest review.

[Chris · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wilson has delicate, poetic prose, and the inclusion of native words (and a glossary) is appreciated, but his tone also seeks to generalize those who he feels persecuted him after he was separated from his family. I especially disliked the anti-Christian chapter, "Maybe Coyote Made God," especially considering his heavy-handed approach to presenting his past, complete with ancient gods and spirits.

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knowing some of the places and people who knew this family made this a great read. I have spent days trying to catch trout out of Hat creek and imagined that the fish Knew something that I didn't because I couldn't fool him.

[Lobolance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely memoir. 20th century Native American views.