Indian Summers

American Indian Studies (AIS)

by Eric Gansworth

The first work of fiction published in the MSU Press American Indian Studies Series, Indian Summers concerns issues of identity for Native Americans. Set against the backdrop of a contemporary reservation that has had its own losses to the dominant culture―a third of its total land mass taken earlier in the century for a New York State water reservoir, its only religious structures Christian churches― Indian Summers introduces these identity conflicts through the lives and circumstances of its major characters. This is a time when belonging to a tribe is difficult, when dominant societal forces encourage either the acts of abandoning a perceived anachronistic lifestyle or of embracing one of a number of simplistic, prescribed, false warrior, environmentalist, crystal-carrying shaman. None of these options is real for the individuals who populate these pockets of different―not alternative―societies. The people who live these lives do not explore alternatives, nor do they necessarily have the desire to―inextricably entwined as they are with their families, culture, history, and land.

Genres: Indigenous

200 pages, Paperback

First published May 31, 1998

About the author

Gansworth is an enrolled citizen of the Onondaga Nation; however, he grew up in the Tuscarora Nation as a descendant of one of two Onondaga women present among the Tuscarora at the foundation of the nation in the 18th century. Gansworth originally qualified in electroencephalography, considered a profession useful to his nation; however, he went on to study literature and to continue a lifelong interest in painting and drawing.

Gansworth has written five novels, including the award-winning Mending Skins (2005) and Extra Indians (2010). In all his novels, illustrations form an integral part of the reading experience. His most recent novel, If I Ever Get out of Here is his first Young Adult novel, and deals with the 1975 friendship between two boys, one a resident of the Tuscarora Nation, the other living on the nearby Air Force base. In a starred review, Booklist stated that the book succeeded in "sidestepping stereotypes to offer two genuine characters navigating the unlikely intersection of two fully realized worlds."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Ga...

Reviews

[Marrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was slow in the beginning, but I slowly came to quite like this story for its interesting and vivid portrayal of what it means to be Native American in today's society, when the very culture is suffering and being replaced by white religions and ideals. As a Native, I found it tender, bitingly honest, and very emotional, if a little verbose and slow. I also think there is a lot of symbolism in this novel and I may reread it one day in order to find even more symbols that I missed this time.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the plot line was interesting, the entire book read like the author stopped revising after two drafts. The passive voice ran rampant throughout the book, necessary details were absent, and there was an over-abundance of unnecessary details.