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Coyote Dream
Journeying to the Southwest to purchase Native American art for her family's successful New York store, Sarah Friedman is stranded by car troubles on a Navajo reservation near the home of reclusive artist Ben Lonefeather, but as their relationship gradually evolves into love, it is tested by cultural differences, separation, duty, independence, and other challenges. Original.
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
June 19, 2010
I hesitated about reading this novel. In part because putting the words "romance" and "Native American" or "Indian" near each other in a plot summary raises the specter of horrific novels like Sweet Savage Love, which exist to (1) peddle poorly written soft core porn; and (2) exploit indigenous cultures in a kind of hallucinatory, self-congratulatory voyeurism.
Of course there are novels that fit into this general category but are skillfully done. Kingsolver's Animal Dreams is one example. Fully developed characters in which culture clash takes a back seat to far more serious human infelicities.
So this is the story of Sarah Friedman, a Jewish woman who lives in Manhattan and works in her family's store, specializing in antique furniture and folk art. It's not where she wants to be in her life; it's not where her mother wants her to be, either. She ends up traveling to the Southwest for business, as her father had done for some forty years previous, to visit artists whose work the family sells through their shop. Hopi and Navajo, primarily, artists and people who are hugely important to Sam Friedman. But his health is iffy, and so Sarah goes in his place. And comes across Ben Lonefeather, a man settled in his ways whose life is diametrically opposed to Sarah's in every possible way.
How they come to fall in love is not really the heart of the story. This is more about divided loyalties, about living life as it has been laid out for you, and about expectations we are raised to fill. And how sometimes it becomes possible to break out of the mold, but at significant cost. Until the very end I wasn't sure how things were going to turn out, which is unusual for a novel of this kind.
I wish I had come across this when it first came out in 2004, as I really, really liked it. Sometime it's almost solemn in tone but it's still full of bright imagery, painted with strong colors. Both main characters become so very clear.
One little niggle, and that is the fact that the author pulls an old plot trick out and dusts it off: a letter gone missing. A really important letter that would have changed everything, made everything better. On the one hand it does fit the picture we are given of the cultural differences in the way Sarah and Ben communicate, but on the other it turns into a bit of a magic wand. And I still loved the novel. Loved it. Go figure.
Of course there are novels that fit into this general category but are skillfully done. Kingsolver's Animal Dreams is one example. Fully developed characters in which culture clash takes a back seat to far more serious human infelicities.
So this is the story of Sarah Friedman, a Jewish woman who lives in Manhattan and works in her family's store, specializing in antique furniture and folk art. It's not where she wants to be in her life; it's not where her mother wants her to be, either. She ends up traveling to the Southwest for business, as her father had done for some forty years previous, to visit artists whose work the family sells through their shop. Hopi and Navajo, primarily, artists and people who are hugely important to Sam Friedman. But his health is iffy, and so Sarah goes in his place. And comes across Ben Lonefeather, a man settled in his ways whose life is diametrically opposed to Sarah's in every possible way.
How they come to fall in love is not really the heart of the story. This is more about divided loyalties, about living life as it has been laid out for you, and about expectations we are raised to fill. And how sometimes it becomes possible to break out of the mold, but at significant cost. Until the very end I wasn't sure how things were going to turn out, which is unusual for a novel of this kind.
I wish I had come across this when it first came out in 2004, as I really, really liked it. Sometime it's almost solemn in tone but it's still full of bright imagery, painted with strong colors. Both main characters become so very clear.
One little niggle, and that is the fact that the author pulls an old plot trick out and dusts it off: a letter gone missing. A really important letter that would have changed everything, made everything better. On the one hand it does fit the picture we are given of the cultural differences in the way Sarah and Ben communicate, but on the other it turns into a bit of a magic wand. And I still loved the novel. Loved it. Go figure.
November 14, 2010
I loved how absolutely realistic this book was - not your typical fantastical love story. Two real people, accidentally falling in love in the "real" world, and finding a way to make it work, despite their differences. I also found myself suddenly wanting to cook more . . . you'll see why (:
April 10, 2010
Feels like a dream on a hot Saturday night in the American Southwest. You can almost feel the shimmering heatwaves rising up from the desert. Not what I expected when I began reading, this is the story of a Jewish woman and a Native American man meeting, falling in love, and marrying. It lures you into a state somewhat between dreaming and wakefulness, or what I imagine a peyote vision must be like.
January 30, 2011
Sarah Friedman was a Jew from New York City who falls for Ben Lonefeather, who is a Navajo from the Southwest. They met when Sarah travels to the Southwest as a buyer of Native American art for her father's business. Her car breaks down and Ben, an artist who has coyote pups as pets, takes her in. Not to mention the distance, culturally these two didn't seem like they could be together. Can their strong connection fight through their differences?
January 11, 2013
This is one of my favorites for several reasons. I love the diversity, the traveling, the split stories, the description of the cooking and of course the love story. But mostly I love this book because I found it at a dollar store randomly. I've read this book three times. I'm looking forward to reading it again.
October 19, 2008
Really loved this book! The chemistry between Ben and Sarah was great. It really tugs at your emotions; some parts you are happy and laughing, and other parts will have you on the verge of tears. Definitely worth picking up.
March 25, 2010
Coyote Dream for me was one of those well written love stories that really hit the spot. I loved the two cultures mixing in together with the big happy romantic lust you get when falling in love and also the heart ache that comes with it too.
A must read for the hopeless romantic.
A must read for the hopeless romantic.
August 3, 2011
A beautifully written book. Explores some of the difficulties native American Indians and their partners have, beyond the usual ones all people have. A most interesting study of the coyote, and their interaction with humans. All and all an excellent read.
June 24, 2009
Great love story. If you love the southwest, nature, and art, you'll love this book. Great correlation between different heritages as well.
May 6, 2009
I listened to this on audio. It was great! Indian stuff, mystery, love story AND coyotes!
June 10, 2009
This book was exactly what I needed... a predictable fun read that didn't require me to think or analyze.
October 27, 2010
Are dealer from NY falls in love with a Native American from Arizona. Current times.
November 8, 2010
One of my all-time favorite books -- beautifully written, the type of book you want to savor and read just a little bit every day since you don't want it to end.
July 6, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. Loved the Jewish family and the Native American culture intermingled.
April 10, 2013
Predictable (sometimes that's what you want) but readable!
December 29, 2015
This book is really worth a read.
July 17, 2017
I liked this story a lot. Sarah Friedman takes her father's place on a trip to the southwest to procure Indian art for their store in New York. Because she had a car accident she met Ben Lonefeather, a artist, and ended up falling in love with him. When she went back to New York, her previous boyfriend persuaded her to consented to marry him. Ben came to New York to exhibit his art at her father's store. She still had strong feelings for Ben. Now she had to choose between love and duty. What would she do? Great story!
October 14, 2019
Coyote Dream by Jessica Davis Stein is an amazingly rich story about two people from very different cultures finding their way toward a life together in spite of all of the obstacles in their way. I enjoyed the story so much that I finished it and two days later read it all again, unable to get enough of Ben and Sarah’s tale. Stein wrote an entertaining tale laced with real life struggles yet left me feeling uplifted and fulfilled. I’ll be reading this story again and again in the years to come!
April 9, 2020
A wonderful love story. Sarah and Ben Lonefeather, children of Sam and Henry. I loved their parents and their past history, their interaction, their love, their selflessness, their willingness to give the other , full love, and less suffering. I loved Sam's secrets and Evelyn gesture at the end. A wonderful read.
Ah this connection with coyotes, I cried and suffered along Littleman.
I loved Maria and Jimmy Anna and Dawsen, and Tom and Millie's stories too.
I also marveled how she depicted and rended it so vivid, the creation act of the marble statue.
just amazing.
I also loved the depiction of Sarah's family, the horror of what her father's family had to go through, the shock of Sam, how he withdrew from life, the similarities in the almost wiping out attempt of the Jews and the NativeAmeicans. the same with Ben's grandparents. I loved Ben for his willingness to go through a lot, talking with her parents and making and keeping promises without telling Sarah.
Ah this connection with coyotes, I cried and suffered along Littleman.
I loved Maria and Jimmy Anna and Dawsen, and Tom and Millie's stories too.
I also marveled how she depicted and rended it so vivid, the creation act of the marble statue.
just amazing.
I also loved the depiction of Sarah's family, the horror of what her father's family had to go through, the shock of Sam, how he withdrew from life, the similarities in the almost wiping out attempt of the Jews and the NativeAmeicans. the same with Ben's grandparents. I loved Ben for his willingness to go through a lot, talking with her parents and making and keeping promises without telling Sarah.
April 29, 2023
The story of a Jewish woman Sarah Friedman on an art buying trip in the Southwest who is stranded and then rescued by Native American Ben Lonefeather an artist of many talents. Their slow burn Romance has many obstacles to overcome beyond their ethnic origins. There is drama, mystery, cu o turns clashing, and in the end, amazing passion and determination to be together.
April 12, 2018
I really enjoyed this. A great romance, vacation read with a new story.
November 14, 2023
4.5 stars
October 14, 2014
I can't decide if this book was incredibly cheesy or an accurate portrayal of how life events actually unfold. Even though this book clearly had two main characters, the author sprinkled in stories from other characters as well. I could have done without these extras, and would have enjoyed reading more detail about the main character's feelings about the unusual situations. Overall, a fun, quick read.
July 23, 2009
For what it is, the metaphors for oppression and holocaust were really pretty interesting. Still, it's mostly a romance novel ;) The author was thinking though. There was a plot line that didn't fit well, and the book would have been stronger without it.
Not bad for randomly grabbed off the shelf though...
Not bad for randomly grabbed off the shelf though...
August 12, 2013
This book took me back to the reservation as well as NYC. I enjoyed the role that art played as well as nature. Nice characters, compelling writing, all presented in an accessible romance story that is so much more.
December 2, 2016
The best book I read that year. I don't read much romance anymore - having burned out on the tropes. But this one... It's a mix of Romance and women's fiction. Luscious. Seriously.
March 31, 2017
Had this on my too read list for years. Finally got around to reading it and really liked it.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews