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In Winter Light
Way out there at Stockwell's trading post in Navajo country a lot of people got together to celebrate Christmas Eve. They ate and they drank, and they talked to each other.
And old Navajo bum promoted a lot of liquor and candy bars out of a smart New York woman.
A cheap wife cheated on her husband because it was her nature to cheat.
A cultured American doctor learned some truth from a Navajo medicine man.
And some people easily came to hate other people, while others groped for love but found it hard to come by...
And old Navajo bum promoted a lot of liquor and candy bars out of a smart New York woman.
A cheap wife cheated on her husband because it was her nature to cheat.
A cultured American doctor learned some truth from a Navajo medicine man.
And some people easily came to hate other people, while others groped for love but found it hard to come by...
209 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1949
About the author
Edwin Corle
32 books2 followersEdwin Corle was born in Wildwood, New Jersey and educated at the University of California, Berkeley, where he received his A.B. in 1928. For the next two years he was a graduate student at Yale University.
In 1932 he married Helen Freeman in Ensenada, Mexico.[1]
He served in World War II, and in 1944 married Jean Armstrong. His prolific writing career led to a final residence at Hope Ranch, Santa Barbara where he died on June 11, 1956.
His writing is noted for realistic portrayals of Native American life in the early 20th century. After a brief stint at writing for radio, Corle began writing numerous short stories and non-fiction pieces for magazines. In 1934 his Mojave: A Book Of Stories was published. This was followed a year later by his first and most successful novel, Fig Tree John, based on a Cahuilla Indian from southern California. In addition to other novels, Corle also wrote non-fiction, including books on the Grand Canyon and the Gila River. His sophisticated interest in the arts is reflected in his works on Igor Stravinsky and the artist Merle Armitage. In the 1950s, Corle began what was to be his most important effort, a multi-volume novel called "The Californians". The work was left uncompleted upon his death and is included in his extensive papers, letters and manuscripts donated by Ralph B. Sipper of Santa Barbara to Indiana University in 1997. Another important collection of his papers, including correspondence with Lawrence Clark Powell, is in the Special Collections of UCLA.
In 1932 he married Helen Freeman in Ensenada, Mexico.[1]
He served in World War II, and in 1944 married Jean Armstrong. His prolific writing career led to a final residence at Hope Ranch, Santa Barbara where he died on June 11, 1956.
His writing is noted for realistic portrayals of Native American life in the early 20th century. After a brief stint at writing for radio, Corle began writing numerous short stories and non-fiction pieces for magazines. In 1934 his Mojave: A Book Of Stories was published. This was followed a year later by his first and most successful novel, Fig Tree John, based on a Cahuilla Indian from southern California. In addition to other novels, Corle also wrote non-fiction, including books on the Grand Canyon and the Gila River. His sophisticated interest in the arts is reflected in his works on Igor Stravinsky and the artist Merle Armitage. In the 1950s, Corle began what was to be his most important effort, a multi-volume novel called "The Californians". The work was left uncompleted upon his death and is included in his extensive papers, letters and manuscripts donated by Ralph B. Sipper of Santa Barbara to Indiana University in 1997. Another important collection of his papers, including correspondence with Lawrence Clark Powell, is in the Special Collections of UCLA.
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Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review
January 23, 2026
This is a very interesting novel concerning a few white people who live near a Navajo reservation post WWII. There is a doctor who works at the only clinic available for many miles, his adopted Navajo daughter, an alcoholic dentist, a radio show writer who is visiting to learn about the Navajo, and a host of Navajo people who come to a Christmas Eve BBQ hosted by the owner of the local trading post.
The plot is fairly loose. This is more an observation of the various characters. The doctor's adopted daughter and her love interest are torn between their Navajo roots and the white man's world. The wife of the trading post owner, who is much younger than he is and married him on a whim, is dissatisfied with living amongst the Navajo. We relationships develop and fall apart in the brisk 150-ish pages of this book.
From 1949, this book is definitely of its time but it doesn't feel very dated.
A very enjoyable read.
The plot is fairly loose. This is more an observation of the various characters. The doctor's adopted daughter and her love interest are torn between their Navajo roots and the white man's world. The wife of the trading post owner, who is much younger than he is and married him on a whim, is dissatisfied with living amongst the Navajo. We relationships develop and fall apart in the brisk 150-ish pages of this book.
From 1949, this book is definitely of its time but it doesn't feel very dated.
A very enjoyable read.
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review