Talking Leaves

by Craig Lesley

The ancient traditions and contemporary experiences of Native Americans are reflected in a collection of stories which includes contributions by established authors as well as new writers

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Native American, Anthologies, American, Indigenous, Queer

385 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Craig Lesley is the author of 4 novels and a memoir, along with numerous other works. He has received three Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Awards, the Western Writers of America Golden Spur Award for Best Novel, and an Oregon Book Award. He has been the recipient of several national fellowships and holds a Doctorate of Humane Letters from Whitman College. Currently the Senior Writer-in-Residence at Portland State University, Craig lives with his wife and two daughters in Portland, Oregon. Both Storm Riders and The Sky Fisherman were nominated for the Pulitzer Prize.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic collection of stories, tied together by their common Native American ancestry, but so varied in their telling, in their content, and in their viewpoints. A few are excerpts from longer works, and I may go check those out now. I found myself seeking out many of the authors online, to see what else they've written. Found a series of videos of Ed Edmo telling stories on YouTube, for instance. And I personally knew Maurice Kenny. This story in the collection isn't one I'd read before, not sure what I think of it yet. I might have to read again.

[Craig · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the writing is very good, this is just not my type of book. Alcoholism, poverty, ignorance, bigotry and racism. Yes, these are very real, especially in the native american population. But the theme generally seems to be "we will not overcome, ever." Too depressing for me.

[Jeff Hobbs]

Read so far:

*Deer woman / Paula Gunn Allen --
Turtle lake / Gloria Bird --
Swimming upstream / Beth Brant --
Going home / Joseph Bruchac --
A visit from Reverend Tileston / Elizabeth Cook-Lynn --
*Queen of diamonds / Michael Dorris --
The old marriage / Debra Earling --
After Celilo / Ed Edmo --
The humming of stars and bees and waves / Anita Endrezze --
*The bingo van / Louise Erdrich --
The way it was / Tina Marie Freeman-Villalobos --
Aunt Parnetta's electric blisters / Diane Glancy --
High cotton / Rayna Green --
*The flood / Joy Harjo --
*Northern lights / Joy Harjo --
Taking care of business / Kathleen Shaye Hill --
*Aunt Moon's young man / Linda Hogan --
The pebble people / Roger Jack --
Wet moccasins / Maurice Kenny --
A seat in the garden / Thomas King --
Killing the bear / Judith Minty --
*She is beautiful in her whole being / N. Scott Momaday --
Crow's sun / Duane Niatum --
Never quite a Hollywood star / Carter Revard --
The Indian basket. It's all in how you say it / Mickey Roberts --
How I got to be queen / Greg Sarris --
Dancer / Vickie Sears --
Snatched away / Mary Tallmountain --
from Chayenne revenge / Clifford E. Trafzer --
The Baron of Patronia / Gerald Vizenor --
*China Browne / Gerald Vizenor --
Bicenti / Anna Lee Walters --
From Fools crow / James Welch --
Summer girl / Roberta Hill Whiteman --
Diamond Island: Alcatraz / Darryl Babe Wilson --
White-out / Phyllis Wolf --
Homecooking / Elizabeth Woody --

[Coco · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic and moving collection of Native American work, spanning different times and genres--from the Old West days, to life on the reservation (and with reservation closures), to reconnecting with old traditions. The stories provide a unique and important perspective about the importance of family, belief, and tradition, and more obviously about the way these people have been treated over the long years.

Personal favorites:
"Aunt Moon's Young Man" by Linda Hogan
"Swimming Upstream" by Beth Brant
"Deer Woman" by Paula Gunn Allen
"The Humming of Stars and Bees and Waves" by Anita Endrezze
"The Pebble People" by Roger Jack
"'The Indian Basket" by Mickey Roberts
"She is Beautiful in Her Whole Being" by N. Scott Momaday
"Diamond Island: Alcatraz" by Darryl Babe Wilson
(June 2008)

[Ryan Mishap · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an older anthology but worth picking up at the library or the used book sale because some of the stories are fantastic.
In fact, I would recommend nearly all such anthologies--sure there are some bad stories and some of these books are like literary ethnic ghettos, but: most of them are serious, well-done, and give voice to people you likely have never heard from. So pick this up, enjoy, and look for others.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loving this book. Several of the authors are now on my 'read more' list. Some amazing writers, some not so, as you would expect from a composite of different authors. One of my favorites, "Aunt Moon's Young Man" by Linda Hogan, I ordered a book by her so I could read more of her words. Love the imagery.
Almost done, really enjoyed this as bedtime reading. Many good authors with unique styles, I'd like a copy of this book for my library. Want to be able to reread it in the future. 12/5/18 Diane

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

The students doing this project do not need to only use poetry when fulfilling their female and multicultural requirements. This book is the perfect fit for a student who doesn't like poetry, but likes short stories. It fulfills the Native American author requirement, and all of the writers are contemporary and have full biographies in the back (note, biographies do not have birth dates).

[Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't read the whole thing, just parts of it for english class. The parts of it were good, especially the Louise Erdrich story.

[Cws]

AI FLes