Hostiles and Friendlies: Selected Short Writings of Mari Sandoz

by Mari Sandoz, Virginia Faulkner (Introduction)

Here in one volume are Mari Sandoz's reminiscences of life in the Sandhills country; a study of the two Sitting Bulls (the Hunkpapa and the Oglala) and other Indian pieces; a novelette, Bone Joe and the Smokin' Woman ; and nine short stories, mostly with a rural setting, including The Vine ," her first to be published. Introduced by an autogiographical sketch of the author's early years and linked by a commentary derived from her letters, articles, and interviews, the separate pieces coalesce into an illuminating picture both of the Niobrara River country and of Mari Sandoz's emergence as a major American writer.

254 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1959

About the author

Mari Susette Sandoz (May 11, 1896 – March 10, 1966) was a novelist, biographer, lecturer, and teacher. She was one of Nebraska's foremost writers, and wrote extensively about pioneer life and the Plains Indians.

Reviews

[Deb Grove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greg directed me to this author after his first trip to the Sandhills of Western Nebraska. Since then, we have made several trips to a fascinating countryside that few Americans have seen. Mari Sandoz grew up in the harsh and desolate landscape as well as a harsh home life. Her father beat her when she was a few weeks old because her crying disturbed his sleep. He beat her at 12 when she won an award for a story and locked her in the cellar. She kept her writing a secret after that and escaped to college. She wrote again but burned everything she had written at one point. Eventually her father asked her to write his biography which became one of her most famous books, Old Jules. She was also friends with Indians and knew Crazy Horse and wrote a book about him. Her book Cheyenne Autumn tells the story of the Cheyennes who fought being round up to a reservation by the soldiers at Fort Robinson. Eventually due to deaths in the winter and famine the tribe who had hidden in the Sandhills was brought in. This book Hostiles and Friendlies is a book of short stories and excerpts. The stories give a remarkable insight into the life of the soddies who came from the east to the Sandhills expecting to make a successful life only to find drought, famine, persectution from cattle ranchers, blizzards and al loss of savings. The story The Vine is one of my favorites and one that you won't forget. It is about a woman who comes from the green countryside of Indiana with her husband and the two years of drought and desolate landscape become too much.

[Dinushi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hostiles and Friendlies by Mari Sandoz is a collection of short writings that focus on life in the Nebraska Sandhills. The book does not follow one main plot. Instead, it is made up of memories, short stories, and reflections that show what everyday life was like for people living in a tough and isolated place. Through these pieces, Sandoz gave a clear sense of the land, the people, and the challenges they faced just trying to get by.

One of the strongest parts of the book is how clearly Sandoz describes the setting. The Sandhills feel almost like another character in the stories. She shows how wide, quiet, and demanding the land is, and how much it controls daily life. At one point, she explains how survival was never guaranteed, writing that “there was, of course, no training school for the pioneer. He went out and was one or wasn’t.” This line really stood out to me because it shows how harsh life could be and how people had to learn everything the hard way.

The characters in this collection feel very familiar. Many of them are settlers, ranch families, teachers, or children, and most are just trying to survive in a place that gives them very little help. They are not perfect people, and Sandoz does not try to make them seem heroic. Instead, she shows their fears, mistakes, and strengths in a very honest way. Even when a character only appears briefly, you still get a strong sense of who they are because of the small details she includes.

Another important part of the book is its themes. Community, conflict, and change come up again and again. Many stories show people depending on each other because they have no other choice. Sandoz also writes about Native Americans and how they were treated, especially through language and power. In one section, she talks about how the word “hostiles” was used differently depending on who was speaking, which shows how history can be shaped by perspective. This made me think more critically about how stories from the past are told and remembered.

Sandoz’s writing style is simple and straightforward. She does not use complicated language, but her descriptions are still strong which made this such a lovey read. Her tone feels calm and reflective, like she is sharing experiences instead of trying to argue something. This makes the book easy to read while still being meaningful. It feels personal without being emotional or dramatic.

Overall, Hostiles and Friendlies is a thoughtful and interesting collection that gives a realistic picture of life in the Great Plains. Readers who enjoy authors like Willa Cather or books that focus on place and everyday people would probably like this book. It is not fast paced, but it stays engaging because of its honesty and attention to detail. I would recommend it to readers who enjoy quiet stories that feel real and grounded.

[Virginia Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! My first foray into Mari Sandoz and I'm a fan! I can't wait to read more.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting short writings, both fiction and non-fiction. Her fiction captures especially well the grimness of peoples' lives on the Nebraska prairie in the early 1900's.