The Last Ghost Dancer: A Novel

by Tony Bender

"This is a remarkable coming-of-age story and spiritual journey with as much between the lines as in them. Sometimes wry, always thoughtful, the characters seem to live and breathe, and you won't soon forget them."―Senator Byron Dorgan

The Last Ghost Dancer is more than a coming-of-age fable, more than the wry memoirs of a spiritual search. It is the story of a remarkable summer in a remarkable west river town. It is a commentary on the depth and breadth of friendships forged, of lovers lost, and the realization that it is the journey that is of importance, and not so much the destination.

Looking back, as old men do, it's hard to imagine it really happened. But it did. One wise teacher, one perfect girl, one harrowing summer, can set the course of a lifetime. Meet Bones, the wry, funny, ever-observant, thoughtful and hapless narrator, a grease monkey at the only gas station in Pale Butte, whose most recent claim to fame is dropping an Edsel off the hoist. Now, some sixty years later, Bones, a dreamer of apocalyptic dreams, reflects on miracles small and large and his spiritual discovery that marked the summer of 1977.

Genres: Fiction

256 pages, Hardcover

First published July 14, 2010

About the author

One of the most well-known columnists and radio personalities in the Dakotas, Tony Bender gained national recognition in 2001 and 2002 when he was awarded a first-place prize for humor writing by the National Newspaper Association. Bender has published three column collections: Loons in the Kitchen, The Great and Mighty Da-Da, and Prairie Beat. Bender and his wife live in North Dakota where they own a funky coffee shop named Jitters and two small weekly newspapers, The Ashley Tribune and The Wishek Star.

Reviews

[Patsy Chilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an unexpected surprise!! I pick up books in hotel lobby's living here in Mexico and we trade books in restaraunts who do it for donations for great local causes.
So I just came upon this book... I loved it!
Small town america reminds me of Mount Shasta California.. The story is weaved beautifully and Tony bender has done an incredible job with the language of life and experiences as related to a small town.
But more than that, the loves and tradegies and watching lifes fly by.. put everyone who reads it to a go mode if living life and creating your own memories and giving time to those we really love. Time is short and this is not a dress rehearsal.
The spirtual side of his writing is very moving and from my experience with an airey fairey sister very real... loved it visions, dreams, and ghost dancing Lakota style.
I hope this auther keeps at it! I cant wait to read his next book!
Hats off to Tony Bender

[Marsha Klein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having lived West River in South Dakota, I was caught up in the realness of this novel. Bender's story is compelling and his prose is fresh and vivid. A terrific read!

[Julie Hull · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wasn’t a smooth story but more like snips of thoughts. Great perspective on life in general..to be happy with who you are. Truly enjoyed this.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved Bones, Maya and Joe. The characters stories and what was left unanswered created a connection for me I was left wanting to find out what was going to happen. Surprised in the end.

[Amy Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good small-town coming of age story. The writing was quite beautiful and, although it did cross over momentarily into sticky sweet sentimentality and stereotypical wise-Indian warrior speak, I still found it quite touching. It was a very fast read, and I found myself liking the main character. It was sort of a modern-day "Last of the Mohicans." Bones is telling the story of how the people in the town affected his life. Predominantly, he focused on Joe, a wise Lakoda man who possessed a sort of Indian magic and a very strong faith and belief in the old ways. Joe tells a story of the Ghost Dancers and how they were massacred by the white people due to fear at Wounded Knee. His grandfather taught him the Ghost Dance, making him the last of the Ghost Dancers. As events in the book slowly spiral, Joe plays an even greater part in the fate of the town and its people. This book kept me interested. Technically, as I am more agnostic than anything, I believe Native American teachings make much more sense than Christian teachings. The more I live, the farther I grow from Christianity. In that respect, I loved the lessons this book had to teach, and I loved what Joe said about the Ghost Dance. I, too, believe that Mother Earth will eventually cleanse herself of the cancers that humanity has inflicted upon her, and it's only a matter of time. While Christians spout their teachings of the coming apocalypse, they're slowly killing the Earth by not caring - by believing that it was all put here by God for us to use, and so they use it without regard to how much they waste. It's a sad and sobering reality.

[Leslie Zampetti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bender creates an entire world in miniature in this account of a summer from a more innocent time. His hero, Bones, has a distinct and enchanting voice, reminding us that life is fullest in both sorrow and joy, and that despite the conventional wisdom, the old days had many of the same issues we have today.

Fans of Louise Erdrich, Ursula Hegi, Barbara Kingsolver and the like will enjoy this one.

[Muld00n · Rating 5 out of 5]

"All paths lead to God.
Of Course, some have more detours that others!"
Joe Big Cloud

A great story that runs the entire gambit of emotions from sorrow, to melancholy, to joy.

Hilariously funny! Exquisite.

[Diane Mueller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a story of coming of age in the 70's but not the typical coming of age story. It was our lives effect one another. The title refers to an Indian named Joe who was the last ghost dancer and how he taught a young man and his friends.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is wonderfully crafted, but it is not one i much care for. I got about 100 pages and realized i was just reading this book for the sake of finishing it. I never was very captivated by it. This is not to say it's a bad book, just not for me.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent story. Takes place in South Dakota in 1977. Characters were interesting, story was great and it was a good read.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the best, but a very good coming of age novel. Quirky, with a good supporting cast of characters.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this coming to age story. Bones, the narrator recalls growing up in Pale Butte, S Dakota. We see how friendships are formed through the most unlikely events... It's a cozy read!

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful to find a well written coming of age book that felt fresh to me in my sixties. It's one I've marked for my grandson in a year or so.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book, with some very memorable quotes. I wasn't entirely certain whether it would be my kind of story when I read the first chapter, but it grew on me.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book about the west. I recognized some things they mentioned in Denver. Great quotes

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done.