What do you think?
Rate this book
A Pipe for February
At the turn of the twentieth century, the Osage Indians owned Oklahoma’s most valuable oil reserves and became members of the world’s first wealthy oil population. Osage children and grandchildren continued to respect the old customs and ways, but now they also had lives of leisure: purchasing large homes, expensive cars, eating in fancy restaurants, and traveling to faraway places. In the 1920s, they also found themselves immersed in a series of murders. Charles H. Red Corn sets A Pipe for February against this turbulent, exhilarating background.
Tracing the experiences of John Grayeagle, the story’s main character, Red Corn describes the Osage murders from the perspective of a traditional Osage. Other books on the notorious crimes have focused on the greed of government officials and businessmen to increase their oil wealth. Red Corn focuses on the character of the Osage people, drawing on his own experiences and insights as a member of the Osage Nation.
Tracing the experiences of John Grayeagle, the story’s main character, Red Corn describes the Osage murders from the perspective of a traditional Osage. Other books on the notorious crimes have focused on the greed of government officials and businessmen to increase their oil wealth. Red Corn focuses on the character of the Osage people, drawing on his own experiences and insights as a member of the Osage Nation.
284 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
68 people are currently reading
2343 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
November 12, 2023
2023 edit...after viewing Killers of the Flower Moon, and rereading the book, I came back to John...and what I picked up on this time is John's search for his purpose...how to use his art in a genuine way, to find his mission within the Osage tradition. It was so moving.
The young people have allies...friends watching over them, teaching them how to make decisions that keep them safe.
The first scene of the film is adapted from the first scene here, weaving the fiction and nonfiction...the traditions and the reporting.
I loved this book even more this time!
*******************************************
Back to Osage country...this time with an Osage author. An Oklahoma author, Charles Red Corn.
This is a novel told in the voice of a young Osage man, John Grayeagle. Newly rich, newly orphaned with even his beloved grandfather gone. He likes fast cars and travel. He's been to the art meccas in Europe, and he wants to be an artist. Red Corn masterfully shows how oil money and oil headrights affords privilege to his people suddenly. John knows he's had opportunities his ancestors have not. But has he lost something in the bargain?
John and his friends, also young adults living in Pawhuska, with more money than they could ever spend in a lifetime. They are playful, respectful of their elders, working to keep the tribal traditions alive. John and his cousin Mollie, both orphans talk about the fact their generation has been raised to live in the white world. They speak English, they have common experiences with other European-Americans. Their friends qualify for the Olympics. They honeymoon in Colorado Springs.
But the ties to their past are also strong...as they make time in their leisurely days to visit elders, slow their lives down to listen, to learn. These young folks may not be totally aware of all the changes in their lives, but they are fun-loving, grateful, friendly kids I'd love to know.
AND too many of them are orphans...parents gone in violent ways...As John and his friends watch, learn, they wonder if the deaths are more than accidents...Unscrupulous whites have managed to get their hands on much of the Osage money. Laws were changed, so tribal members are considered incompetent to handle their own affairs, and have white guardians named. Since I've read other books about this time, I know some white guardians were the villains of this story...manipulating, cheating, and even killing their 'charges' to gain their wealth. When Mollie causally mentions her guardian, my stomach crawled. We see Mollie as bright, vibrant, generous...more than capable of handling her own affairs. Seeing this system in this way was more horrifying to me than in other nonfictions. I think because I loved her so much. John learns he's been swindled by the whites in town, losing 90% of an investment thru theft and deceit. Double dealing.
He and several friends work together to expose the cheats, the murderers. John stands up to his white 'partners' and puts his own life in jeopardy. He connects more deeply with the traditions and teachings of his tribe and elders, and he balances his own life in the process.
A complicated story I'm not doing justice to...young folks living their lives in the face of evil, but supported by the deep traditions that they know are slowly drifting away...Young people who risk and stand up to power, but always return to family for wisdom.
LOVE the title...John's grandfather tells him that the February moon means, "Don't let it fool you." A perfect description of February...and a perfect metaphor for the evil swindlers who tried to cheat and steal and murder the very people they were supposed to be working with.
The young people have allies...friends watching over them, teaching them how to make decisions that keep them safe.
The first scene of the film is adapted from the first scene here, weaving the fiction and nonfiction...the traditions and the reporting.
I loved this book even more this time!
*******************************************
Back to Osage country...this time with an Osage author. An Oklahoma author, Charles Red Corn.
This is a novel told in the voice of a young Osage man, John Grayeagle. Newly rich, newly orphaned with even his beloved grandfather gone. He likes fast cars and travel. He's been to the art meccas in Europe, and he wants to be an artist. Red Corn masterfully shows how oil money and oil headrights affords privilege to his people suddenly. John knows he's had opportunities his ancestors have not. But has he lost something in the bargain?
John and his friends, also young adults living in Pawhuska, with more money than they could ever spend in a lifetime. They are playful, respectful of their elders, working to keep the tribal traditions alive. John and his cousin Mollie, both orphans talk about the fact their generation has been raised to live in the white world. They speak English, they have common experiences with other European-Americans. Their friends qualify for the Olympics. They honeymoon in Colorado Springs.
But the ties to their past are also strong...as they make time in their leisurely days to visit elders, slow their lives down to listen, to learn. These young folks may not be totally aware of all the changes in their lives, but they are fun-loving, grateful, friendly kids I'd love to know.
AND too many of them are orphans...parents gone in violent ways...As John and his friends watch, learn, they wonder if the deaths are more than accidents...Unscrupulous whites have managed to get their hands on much of the Osage money. Laws were changed, so tribal members are considered incompetent to handle their own affairs, and have white guardians named. Since I've read other books about this time, I know some white guardians were the villains of this story...manipulating, cheating, and even killing their 'charges' to gain their wealth. When Mollie causally mentions her guardian, my stomach crawled. We see Mollie as bright, vibrant, generous...more than capable of handling her own affairs. Seeing this system in this way was more horrifying to me than in other nonfictions. I think because I loved her so much. John learns he's been swindled by the whites in town, losing 90% of an investment thru theft and deceit. Double dealing.
He and several friends work together to expose the cheats, the murderers. John stands up to his white 'partners' and puts his own life in jeopardy. He connects more deeply with the traditions and teachings of his tribe and elders, and he balances his own life in the process.
A complicated story I'm not doing justice to...young folks living their lives in the face of evil, but supported by the deep traditions that they know are slowly drifting away...Young people who risk and stand up to power, but always return to family for wisdom.
LOVE the title...John's grandfather tells him that the February moon means, "Don't let it fool you." A perfect description of February...and a perfect metaphor for the evil swindlers who tried to cheat and steal and murder the very people they were supposed to be working with.
November 15, 2018
In my opinion this is a much better book that Killers of the Flower Moon. One review I read commented that Red Corn's characters were cardboard. I don't agree with that at all. Instead, I think that reviewer wanted the Osage characters to think and talk as a white man would. I think Red Corn's portrayal is closer to the true nature of the proud, deep thinking and feeling people. I'm glad I read this book.
May 3, 2013
This is my new favorite book!!
Part of the American Indian Literature and Critical Studies Series, A Pipe For February is an exceptionally well written and finely detailed narrative about the changes and struggles experienced by the Osage people in 1920's Pawhuska and surrounding areas. Charles Red Corn has such a poignant eloquence is his sharing that it is impossible to read him without being picked up and carried directly into the story. He has managed to beautifully balance history and accuracy with fictional elements providing us a seamless landscape as a backdrop to a vivid and very real story. This book is a definite must read! (and re-read) There is plenty to discover with each subsequent reading.
This story has everything, good guys, bad guys, money, murder, love, loss, betrayal, culture, tradition, and everything in between!
Part of the American Indian Literature and Critical Studies Series, A Pipe For February is an exceptionally well written and finely detailed narrative about the changes and struggles experienced by the Osage people in 1920's Pawhuska and surrounding areas. Charles Red Corn has such a poignant eloquence is his sharing that it is impossible to read him without being picked up and carried directly into the story. He has managed to beautifully balance history and accuracy with fictional elements providing us a seamless landscape as a backdrop to a vivid and very real story. This book is a definite must read! (and re-read) There is plenty to discover with each subsequent reading.
This story has everything, good guys, bad guys, money, murder, love, loss, betrayal, culture, tradition, and everything in between!
March 13, 2024
sparse prose that rings clear
this is a native narrative that tells the story of the osage murders that happened in the early 20th century after oil was discovered on the tribal lands. there was a great deal of wealth among the osage and as more and more non-natives occupied the towns, a series of murders were enacted out of greed. swindles abound, plots are hatched.
yes, a scorcese movie was made on the subject, but i preferred this version of the story, which kept the osage front and center. the novel is told from that perspective, the community is the focus. this is a very different story and i am glad to have read it. thanks to lily gladstone for recommending.
john grayeagle is the narrator. he and molly (who is familiar to anyone that has seen the film) are the central characters, and character development - learning the osage ways - takes precedence.
i'll refrain from saying more, other than to recommend the novel to anyone that wants the native perspective of this long-buried story of resilience and courage.
this is a native narrative that tells the story of the osage murders that happened in the early 20th century after oil was discovered on the tribal lands. there was a great deal of wealth among the osage and as more and more non-natives occupied the towns, a series of murders were enacted out of greed. swindles abound, plots are hatched.
yes, a scorcese movie was made on the subject, but i preferred this version of the story, which kept the osage front and center. the novel is told from that perspective, the community is the focus. this is a very different story and i am glad to have read it. thanks to lily gladstone for recommending.
john grayeagle is the narrator. he and molly (who is familiar to anyone that has seen the film) are the central characters, and character development - learning the osage ways - takes precedence.
i'll refrain from saying more, other than to recommend the novel to anyone that wants the native perspective of this long-buried story of resilience and courage.
March 13, 2016
Love this book even though it's not a bookclub book. It was written about my home town and by my cousin.
Read
March 2, 2025THIS REVIEW was originally written & posted for Book Nook Cafe.
In '23, i attended an event in Oklahoma, sponsored by the Caddo Indian tribe. One of the speakers was the son of the author of this book, A Pipe for February, written by Charles H. Red Corn. I immediately bought the book, then forgot about it. Just last week i ran across it again, & decided now is the time.
John Grayeagle, full-blood Osage, is educated, has traveled to Europe, works at his art and is indifferent to his finances, even when noticing things are amiss. He sends his cook to France, to learn how to cook their dishes and thinks little of it, even when she suggests returning overseas for a refresher’s course. He has three cars and one truck. One of the cars was purchased after the salesman told him about his starving family.
Once oil was discovered on the Osage reservation land, the US government agency, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, decided most tribe members would need to have a white guardian to handle the finances. Enter the con men. Yet, John is aware of his finances. For instance, while his friends believe he owns the fancy hotel in town, he informs him that he only loaned the money to the owners & they pay him interest. Games are afoot, as the hotel is popular, yet the owner declares he’s losing money. And on.
His cousins, with whom he was raised when his parents died in a car accident, are as close as siblings. This book follows the three, as cousin Mary loses several family members to unusual "accidents", and as cousin Ted falls in love with a white woman. Their personalities become a part of the strength of the story, as we see they are like any young people of wealth, giving to charities, yet also spending extravagantly.
Initially, the prose was a bit uncomfortable because, while the characters are speaking English, it is their second language, so it seems stiff, formal. As i became more accustomed to it, i realized this was helping readers understand why interaction with their adult, white advisors seemed innocent. Their Osage language dealt with their values of honest and trust, which ends up not serving them well.
When Red Corn has the "siblings" and some of the elder tribe members talk about their traditions, we better comprehend that they are a generation which is stepping far away from their tribal customs. Yes, they are taught the traditional rules and many ceremonies, but they come to see that the differences between what once was practiced and how it is now practiced is changing & will affect them for the rest of their lives.
For me, this would be a good Bildungsroman selection, as this is a real coming of age for these young adults, as they come to understand what the tribe, as well as white society, expects of them. I felt it was very well accomplished.
As i mentioned, John is an artist. In the beginning he mentions wanting to paint, from his memory, some of the churches he saw while in Europe. Part of his personal story is to figure out what he wants in his own life. As he practices his art, readers become aware of how his outlook is changing. Very well done.
Martin Scorsese used this book to flesh out some of the characters in his movie Killers of the Flower Moon. Honestly, I rather wish he’d stuck to this story for the entire film. Or turned it into a mini-series, adding the FBI at the appropriate time.
In '23, i attended an event in Oklahoma, sponsored by the Caddo Indian tribe. One of the speakers was the son of the author of this book, A Pipe for February, written by Charles H. Red Corn. I immediately bought the book, then forgot about it. Just last week i ran across it again, & decided now is the time.
John Grayeagle, full-blood Osage, is educated, has traveled to Europe, works at his art and is indifferent to his finances, even when noticing things are amiss. He sends his cook to France, to learn how to cook their dishes and thinks little of it, even when she suggests returning overseas for a refresher’s course. He has three cars and one truck. One of the cars was purchased after the salesman told him about his starving family.
Once oil was discovered on the Osage reservation land, the US government agency, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, decided most tribe members would need to have a white guardian to handle the finances. Enter the con men. Yet, John is aware of his finances. For instance, while his friends believe he owns the fancy hotel in town, he informs him that he only loaned the money to the owners & they pay him interest. Games are afoot, as the hotel is popular, yet the owner declares he’s losing money. And on.
His cousins, with whom he was raised when his parents died in a car accident, are as close as siblings. This book follows the three, as cousin Mary loses several family members to unusual "accidents", and as cousin Ted falls in love with a white woman. Their personalities become a part of the strength of the story, as we see they are like any young people of wealth, giving to charities, yet also spending extravagantly.
Initially, the prose was a bit uncomfortable because, while the characters are speaking English, it is their second language, so it seems stiff, formal. As i became more accustomed to it, i realized this was helping readers understand why interaction with their adult, white advisors seemed innocent. Their Osage language dealt with their values of honest and trust, which ends up not serving them well.
When Red Corn has the "siblings" and some of the elder tribe members talk about their traditions, we better comprehend that they are a generation which is stepping far away from their tribal customs. Yes, they are taught the traditional rules and many ceremonies, but they come to see that the differences between what once was practiced and how it is now practiced is changing & will affect them for the rest of their lives.
For me, this would be a good Bildungsroman selection, as this is a real coming of age for these young adults, as they come to understand what the tribe, as well as white society, expects of them. I felt it was very well accomplished.
As i mentioned, John is an artist. In the beginning he mentions wanting to paint, from his memory, some of the churches he saw while in Europe. Part of his personal story is to figure out what he wants in his own life. As he practices his art, readers become aware of how his outlook is changing. Very well done.
Martin Scorsese used this book to flesh out some of the characters in his movie Killers of the Flower Moon. Honestly, I rather wish he’d stuck to this story for the entire film. Or turned it into a mini-series, adding the FBI at the appropriate time.
December 14, 2019
This is a wonderful book. It is simply and clearly written, conveying great meaning with few words. And tells the complex tale of the oil money and the Reign of Terror from an Osage point of view. Anyone interested in Native history, or American history, or the tumultuous, often tragic intersection of the two should read this book.
December 12, 2023
I was introduced to this book after watching the film “Killers of the Flower Moon.” While a fictional tale covering the Osage murders, this book is very different from the onscreen adaptation! The pacing is a little slower than the film and it follows a different cast of characters. The author, Charles H. Red Corn, is a member of the Tzishuwashtahgi Clan (Peace Clan) of the Osage Tribe and provides a unique perspective on the struggles of Indigenous peoples living among land encroaching, oil hungry, greedy whites.
“It is true we sound like white people when we speak their language, and yet before we learned the language of the white people, we spoke Osage and our thoughts are Osage thoughts.”
A Pipe for February highlights the atrocities committed by men for the chance at obtaining unimaginable wealth. This is a tale about the destruction and exploitation of capitalism. It’s a tale about the assimilation of Indigenous communities to the ways of white society. It’s a story about the death and preservation of culture as the world changes and new generations are born. It’s a cautionary tale of how money, oil, and power can lead to the fall of humanity. While the story can suffer from some pacing issues, there is always a sense of dread and intrigue as a hidden and mysterious enemy claims the lives of innocent members of the tribe. This a story that needs to be read!
“Years from now when people say who were people called Osages I want you to tell them about the old way where the stars and the sun and the moon are in place. Tell them about our four-legged brothers and the birds who gave our people courage and skill from their courage and skill so we could make a way for ourselves on earth. The willow tree made us well, and the thunder and lightning and stars taught us the seasons.”
The last few chapters of this book are so powerful!!! There’s so much to be learned from this story regarding respect for human life, Indigenous sovereignty, and the pitfalls of greed.
“It is true we sound like white people when we speak their language, and yet before we learned the language of the white people, we spoke Osage and our thoughts are Osage thoughts.”
A Pipe for February highlights the atrocities committed by men for the chance at obtaining unimaginable wealth. This is a tale about the destruction and exploitation of capitalism. It’s a tale about the assimilation of Indigenous communities to the ways of white society. It’s a story about the death and preservation of culture as the world changes and new generations are born. It’s a cautionary tale of how money, oil, and power can lead to the fall of humanity. While the story can suffer from some pacing issues, there is always a sense of dread and intrigue as a hidden and mysterious enemy claims the lives of innocent members of the tribe. This a story that needs to be read!
“Years from now when people say who were people called Osages I want you to tell them about the old way where the stars and the sun and the moon are in place. Tell them about our four-legged brothers and the birds who gave our people courage and skill from their courage and skill so we could make a way for ourselves on earth. The willow tree made us well, and the thunder and lightning and stars taught us the seasons.”
The last few chapters of this book are so powerful!!! There’s so much to be learned from this story regarding respect for human life, Indigenous sovereignty, and the pitfalls of greed.
August 2, 2024
This was a really beautifully written book, and the peak of what I think historical fiction can achieve. The plot itself showed the back and forth, push and pull of what young Osage people were experiencing at this time with the call of responsibilities of their elders and tradition, and the experiences of wealth, European travel, white western education and the greed of some of the people taking advantage of them. Throughout, Red Corn develops young characters that are thoughtful, respectful, talented, and humble yet ambitious. They are people you would want to know and be friends with. The older generations are no less thoughtful and intelligent and are direct with their thoughts and hopes for the younger generations and meet them with understanding for the way their world has changed and with fear for the future. I'm very glad I read this book.
In my review of The Deaths of Sybil Bolton I dragged David Grann's foreword, and didn't really know what to expect from Scorsese in this book. But Martin Scorsese wrote a beautiful, and perhaps one of the most technically perfect forewords I've ever read - it was thoughtful, personal, yet let Red Corn's talents shine.
In my review of The Deaths of Sybil Bolton I dragged David Grann's foreword, and didn't really know what to expect from Scorsese in this book. But Martin Scorsese wrote a beautiful, and perhaps one of the most technically perfect forewords I've ever read - it was thoughtful, personal, yet let Red Corn's talents shine.
February 7, 2024
So much to love about this book! A really important piece of history tied up in beautiful literature with poignant themes like loyalty in relationships, navigating generational wisdom against a changing world, honoring those before us, the rot of greed, and using art to capture what matters. 🥹
“I suppose choosing what we give up and what we keep will determine our future, as individuals and as a tribe.”
“I suppose choosing what we give up and what we keep will determine our future, as individuals and as a tribe.”
October 13, 2023
Beautifully written, the Osage perspective of this history is the most important. Highly recommend to anyone who reads/watches killers of the flower moon.
May 5, 2024
Great book. Written in a gentle and peaceful voice. Informs the reader of history of how the Osage were treated when oil was discovered on their land. A part of our history everyone should know.
September 2, 2023
A beautifully told, true story written in the rhythm of Osage but in English, by a member of the Tribe described in David Grann's 5+ star book, Killers of the Flower Moon (2018), soon to be released as a Martin Scorsese film featuring a slew of stars.
BACKGROUND: the Osage tribe, having been forcefully migrated to Oklahoma during the Trail of Tears in 1831, was the sole indigenous tribe with a tribal member, instead of an assigned white man, to negotiate with the US when a treaty was being proposed for their newly assigned location. As a result, only the Osage among all tribes in the USA retained rights to everything under the soil, which of course included minerals--and oil. Their oil turned out to be the purest to be found in the entire nation and by 1923, the Osage were worth $30 millions; they had gone from extreme poverty to vast riches in just 10 years. Unwilling to allow such wealth among natives, on March 3, 1921 the US enacted a federal law requiring every Osage tribal member to have a WHITE guardian under conservatorship, as though they were children. The law stripped every Osage from any decision-making in their own finances.
So began the systemic swindles--and murders--that devastated the tribe in the early 1900s. The perpetrators were businessmen: bankers, judges, lawyers (877 of them!), and petroleum companies like John Paul Getty and Phillips (later, Conoco). But they were also white family members, who gained access by marrying into the tribe, either before or after the law was passed. Love couldn't conquer greed.
Author Red Corn,as a young man who'd inherited great wealth, did the requisite tour of Europe for rich young men and dabbled in art as somewhat of a self-described dilettante. He was accustomed to driving his Grandpa around in a luxurious Packard, at that time the longest car made. His grandpa had raised him after his parents had both been killed in an inexplicable car crash.
His cousin's parents were killed; then her sister was found dead in her car, which hadn't even been IN a crash. It begins to dawn on the remaining members that they were being systematically killed. A white man was following Red Corn everywhere. White men were drafting Osage wills to narrow great wealth into fewer and fewer among them, then picking off those who were left.
Studying the old men who had followed in ancient tribal ways, Red Corn, along with his relatives and friends, slowly opens his eyes to what's happening. He has little left of tribal understanding to go on--they had buried a pipe that held their traditions, thinking they had to adapt to white ways. Alone in his grandpa's little stone house, he takes up the scarred war club over the fireplace, and his grandfather's sacred pipe:
"...[M]y hatred started to spread like the ripples caused by a rock thrown into still water, spreading to the lawyers and the judges and the people who sell things and I then thought of Grandpa and the words of Wa-tsa-moin and I gripped the Pipe and managed to regain a sense of calmness. I am Tzi-zhu-wah-shta-gi. I have made myself of gentleness. A gentleness that is not weak but a gentleness that is fair and strong. As all men must, I had met my obligation and I will meet it again if necessary."
At the end, he describes the ritual in which a tribal shaman of old was initiated and confirmed:
"At one place in the ritual a single voice would sing softly and evenly for a while, and then that voice would become stronger and would be joined by other voices. Then there would be many voices and the women would join the singing of those deep and meaningful words until everyone was singing the ancient prayer. Grandpa said that was when it was powerful. It was the people, and the earth creatures, that created the clans that gave insight and courage and those other qualities to individuals like Mon-tse-no-pi’n. But, he was not the only one to have qualities like the ability to look through my eyes and into my soul and to know why I wanted to paint him. Many of them had those qualities. Qualities like that I suspect are not limited to a single group of people, such as Osages, nor are such traits limited to a race, such as Indians. Still, I must begin my search somewhere and I will begin with Osages. Those are good qualities that I want as a guide to live by, and I want to paint them so that others may use and enjoy them. That may be a lot to ask of some pencils and brushes and tubes of paint and linen canvas, but those things may very well be all I have to work with. Then, some day when I know I am a capable artist, I will paint Grandpa."
Having been raised by my Gramma, I totally get it; she taught me everything I know that's given me happiness and grounded me in this life.
Unfortunately, the Kindle version is poorly edited. Still, the book resonates powerfully, and I thank Scorsese for recommending it in an interview he gave, with some of the actors in the film, in Paris over the summer (which is on YouTube and about 20-something minutes long).
POSTSCRIPT: Few people who were involved were prosecuted for the trickery, lies, deceits--and murders-- perpetrated against the Osage; there were juries who declined to convict, deadlocked juries, and trials reversed on appeal. Only three men went to prison--and all three were eventually paroled, despite Osage protests. In 1965, the governor of Oklahoma actually gave a full pardon to one of the ringleaders. Today there are 21,000 registered members of the tribe--the days of their incredible wealth are over, but some still receive quarterly royalty payments, known as headrights.
If you haven't, I suggest reading David Grann's intensively researched book first, which also covers the birth of the FBI. Follow up with this one as a poignant echo of what the Osage went through and how they barely managed to survive.
BACKGROUND: the Osage tribe, having been forcefully migrated to Oklahoma during the Trail of Tears in 1831, was the sole indigenous tribe with a tribal member, instead of an assigned white man, to negotiate with the US when a treaty was being proposed for their newly assigned location. As a result, only the Osage among all tribes in the USA retained rights to everything under the soil, which of course included minerals--and oil. Their oil turned out to be the purest to be found in the entire nation and by 1923, the Osage were worth $30 millions; they had gone from extreme poverty to vast riches in just 10 years. Unwilling to allow such wealth among natives, on March 3, 1921 the US enacted a federal law requiring every Osage tribal member to have a WHITE guardian under conservatorship, as though they were children. The law stripped every Osage from any decision-making in their own finances.
So began the systemic swindles--and murders--that devastated the tribe in the early 1900s. The perpetrators were businessmen: bankers, judges, lawyers (877 of them!), and petroleum companies like John Paul Getty and Phillips (later, Conoco). But they were also white family members, who gained access by marrying into the tribe, either before or after the law was passed. Love couldn't conquer greed.
Author Red Corn,as a young man who'd inherited great wealth, did the requisite tour of Europe for rich young men and dabbled in art as somewhat of a self-described dilettante. He was accustomed to driving his Grandpa around in a luxurious Packard, at that time the longest car made. His grandpa had raised him after his parents had both been killed in an inexplicable car crash.
His cousin's parents were killed; then her sister was found dead in her car, which hadn't even been IN a crash. It begins to dawn on the remaining members that they were being systematically killed. A white man was following Red Corn everywhere. White men were drafting Osage wills to narrow great wealth into fewer and fewer among them, then picking off those who were left.
Studying the old men who had followed in ancient tribal ways, Red Corn, along with his relatives and friends, slowly opens his eyes to what's happening. He has little left of tribal understanding to go on--they had buried a pipe that held their traditions, thinking they had to adapt to white ways. Alone in his grandpa's little stone house, he takes up the scarred war club over the fireplace, and his grandfather's sacred pipe:
"...[M]y hatred started to spread like the ripples caused by a rock thrown into still water, spreading to the lawyers and the judges and the people who sell things and I then thought of Grandpa and the words of Wa-tsa-moin and I gripped the Pipe and managed to regain a sense of calmness. I am Tzi-zhu-wah-shta-gi. I have made myself of gentleness. A gentleness that is not weak but a gentleness that is fair and strong. As all men must, I had met my obligation and I will meet it again if necessary."
At the end, he describes the ritual in which a tribal shaman of old was initiated and confirmed:
"At one place in the ritual a single voice would sing softly and evenly for a while, and then that voice would become stronger and would be joined by other voices. Then there would be many voices and the women would join the singing of those deep and meaningful words until everyone was singing the ancient prayer. Grandpa said that was when it was powerful. It was the people, and the earth creatures, that created the clans that gave insight and courage and those other qualities to individuals like Mon-tse-no-pi’n. But, he was not the only one to have qualities like the ability to look through my eyes and into my soul and to know why I wanted to paint him. Many of them had those qualities. Qualities like that I suspect are not limited to a single group of people, such as Osages, nor are such traits limited to a race, such as Indians. Still, I must begin my search somewhere and I will begin with Osages. Those are good qualities that I want as a guide to live by, and I want to paint them so that others may use and enjoy them. That may be a lot to ask of some pencils and brushes and tubes of paint and linen canvas, but those things may very well be all I have to work with. Then, some day when I know I am a capable artist, I will paint Grandpa."
Having been raised by my Gramma, I totally get it; she taught me everything I know that's given me happiness and grounded me in this life.
Unfortunately, the Kindle version is poorly edited. Still, the book resonates powerfully, and I thank Scorsese for recommending it in an interview he gave, with some of the actors in the film, in Paris over the summer (which is on YouTube and about 20-something minutes long).
POSTSCRIPT: Few people who were involved were prosecuted for the trickery, lies, deceits--and murders-- perpetrated against the Osage; there were juries who declined to convict, deadlocked juries, and trials reversed on appeal. Only three men went to prison--and all three were eventually paroled, despite Osage protests. In 1965, the governor of Oklahoma actually gave a full pardon to one of the ringleaders. Today there are 21,000 registered members of the tribe--the days of their incredible wealth are over, but some still receive quarterly royalty payments, known as headrights.
If you haven't, I suggest reading David Grann's intensively researched book first, which also covers the birth of the FBI. Follow up with this one as a poignant echo of what the Osage went through and how they barely managed to survive.
March 15, 2022
A Pipe for February is a fictionalized telling of the Osage murders that occurred in the 1920s. This book gives a heartbreaking look at what the Osage experienced daily. Personally, this book was not my type of storytelling, so I struggled to get through it. That being said, I enjoyed that the author showcased the character's ties to the past and elders.
May 4, 2017
Well, A Pipe for February taught me how frustrating it is to not know what's on purpose in a book and what's an accident of limited editorial budget. I'd have thought that OU had enough money to head off that kind of puzzle - and so odd question marks and weird stuff with tenses might be an artistic choice, which would be an interesting thing to work through, honestly. But it's really tough to know when you're supposed to be working through something or eliding it with this book, at least in the edition I read.
Which is a shame, really, because the novel is not without its challenges and frustrations even independent of issues of copyediting (if there are issues of copyediting). And those are, I think, rewarding: this is mostly a book with two things to offer: rather banal conversation and the thoughts of its protagonist, which are equally banal but slightly more involved. I offer those in an observational, descriptive sense, rather than a strictly evaluative one. This isn't a book with a lot of flourishes - which, of course, is its own kind of flourish. (And it's DEFINITELY a book with idiosyncrasies.) But there's a lot of stuff happening underneath. At least, I think there is.
As a mystery, it's fine. As an exploration of people dealing with some heavy shit, it's really interesting. And if you're interested in the way high culture and serious cash were, for a time, less concentrated on the coasts and in big cities, this is a really neat look at that. It's also, and I say this as someone who lives in Oklahoma (but is not from Oklahoma), interesting to consider how diverse the state was at the start of the twentieth century, how central immigrants were to a certain kind of small town life. There's a documentary about the Ballets Russes, and it talks about their American tours. And, of course, they didn't just stop at NYC, Philadelphia, Chicago, and San Francisco - they stopped at small cities, too. I thought about that a lot, reading this group - the way high culture might, in some sense, be more accessible because it would, every few years come to you, rather than requiring a pilgrimage. I mean, none of that stuff happens in this book, because it's about other things.
Those other things are rather sensational, I guess - but A Pipe for February isn't really concerned with the sensational parts, except as a kind of hook for the rest of it. Which was an interesting approach.
Which is a shame, really, because the novel is not without its challenges and frustrations even independent of issues of copyediting (if there are issues of copyediting). And those are, I think, rewarding: this is mostly a book with two things to offer: rather banal conversation and the thoughts of its protagonist, which are equally banal but slightly more involved. I offer those in an observational, descriptive sense, rather than a strictly evaluative one. This isn't a book with a lot of flourishes - which, of course, is its own kind of flourish. (And it's DEFINITELY a book with idiosyncrasies.) But there's a lot of stuff happening underneath. At least, I think there is.
As a mystery, it's fine. As an exploration of people dealing with some heavy shit, it's really interesting. And if you're interested in the way high culture and serious cash were, for a time, less concentrated on the coasts and in big cities, this is a really neat look at that. It's also, and I say this as someone who lives in Oklahoma (but is not from Oklahoma), interesting to consider how diverse the state was at the start of the twentieth century, how central immigrants were to a certain kind of small town life. There's a documentary about the Ballets Russes, and it talks about their American tours. And, of course, they didn't just stop at NYC, Philadelphia, Chicago, and San Francisco - they stopped at small cities, too. I thought about that a lot, reading this group - the way high culture might, in some sense, be more accessible because it would, every few years come to you, rather than requiring a pilgrimage. I mean, none of that stuff happens in this book, because it's about other things.
Those other things are rather sensational, I guess - but A Pipe for February isn't really concerned with the sensational parts, except as a kind of hook for the rest of it. Which was an interesting approach.
January 3, 2024
This is a fictional story set during the same time frame as "Killers of the Flower Moon," and it also deals with the spate of murders as white men attempted to steal the oil wealth of the Osage Indians. The writer is an Osage, and I enjoyed reading the book even though it was very slow to get to the point. The book has 269 pages and essential NOTHING happens until Page 149! I guess the author was "setting the stage," but honestly! I am certainly sympathetic to the Osage. They didn't deserve to be treated in the manner they were. Nevertheless, it is startling to see -- even in this book written by an Osage -- the meaningless lives of the young tribal members during this period. Most of the young people in this story have forgotten the old ways. Most do nothing but go to parties, eat out at restaurants in Pawhuska, go on trips, buy fancy clothes and luxury automobiles. Their wealth is managed for them by white court-appointed "guardians" or officials at the Indian Agency, and they seem to meekly accept the situation. The main character's money has been invested for him by others, and, of course, he pays absolutely no attention to business and is swindled. Until almost the very end of the book, the Indians remain amazingly passive -- even in the face of the murders of close family and friends. I guess that's the way it was, but it's hard to understand.
January 15, 2024
I reads Killers of the Flower Moon four or so years ago as my first exposure to the Reign of Terror murders & general Oklahoma Osage '20s lifestyle. The way it was constructed worked, respectful and appropriately paced. When I sat to watch Scorcese's 2023 film of the same name I found it a somewhat dissatisfying experience... the perspective, mainly. Indigenous reviewers have gone in depth & shared their thoughts which I urge everyone to read and listen to.
Anyway, I picked this book up because it covers also the Oklahoma Reign of Terror. It's fantastic. The narrative style creates it's own time & movement through time, spins relationships with incredible human love & tenderness. One of the parts I enjoyed the most was the insight into the daily life of the narrator John Greyeagle. Really a treasure. Beyond that I found the story of the murders of his relatives and the community response to it as a whole, the fear and determination to live and reflection on their ways of life, to be hashed out in a manner that Grabs you as a reader.
Definitely a book that will sit with me.
Anyway, I picked this book up because it covers also the Oklahoma Reign of Terror. It's fantastic. The narrative style creates it's own time & movement through time, spins relationships with incredible human love & tenderness. One of the parts I enjoyed the most was the insight into the daily life of the narrator John Greyeagle. Really a treasure. Beyond that I found the story of the murders of his relatives and the community response to it as a whole, the fear and determination to live and reflection on their ways of life, to be hashed out in a manner that Grabs you as a reader.
Definitely a book that will sit with me.
February 10, 2024
Charles H. Red Corn’s novel immerses the reader in the life of the Osage with a picture of the Oklahoma community that includes traditional values and rituals accommodated to a modern 20th century American world where despite their wealth Osage must navigate a system of federal oversight, unscrupulous guardians, and greedy opportunists willing to even commit murder to access Osage estates. John Greyeagle, a member of the Peace Clan, is a modern Osage, a painter, and the narrative voice of the novel. In this book the question of what to leave behind and what to carry forward from Osage traditions and culture are a thread that reveals a kind of identity double consciousness through one Native People’s experience. This book provides a glimpse as well of family connections, community celebrations, and cross-cultural friendships. Read and look for elements of this novel in the film Killers of the Flower Moon.
February 22, 2024
An excellent companion piece if you've seen Killers of the Flower Moon or read the non-fiction book which it's drawn from. John Greyeagle and his friends/relatives are basically the frog in the slowly boiling pot, not realizing the situation they're in until it's almost too late, and they all come to some important personal revelations along the way of what it means to be an Osage in this world. Charles Red Corn writes simply but evocatively, giving us the story of the Osage Reign of Terror from a perspective of an Osage. Red Corn's writing feels almost like you're reading an oral history, even though this is a fictionalized account of the events. It's the type of story that feels like it should be read out loud to you, and I get that that may make his writing style off-putting to people, but it's a very authentic voice that doesn't try to fit white expectations of storytelling.
November 13, 2023
In the understated tones of Native diction, Charles Red Corn tells the story of the Osage Terror through the straight-forward narration of his protagonist, John Greyeagle. There is a clarity and authenticity carried upon that voice that lends a perspective to those horrible events that Killers of the Flower Moon cannot approach.
As a lifelong resident of Tulsa of Cherokee descent, it is that tone that makes this story so resonant. I can feel the predation and the colonial arrogance that was visited upon the Traditional Osage, their alienation within their own lands. The Republican administration of Oklahoma government is doing everything possible to erase these events from our history. I recommend this book to all for its visceral telling of an essential Oklahoma tale.
As a lifelong resident of Tulsa of Cherokee descent, it is that tone that makes this story so resonant. I can feel the predation and the colonial arrogance that was visited upon the Traditional Osage, their alienation within their own lands. The Republican administration of Oklahoma government is doing everything possible to erase these events from our history. I recommend this book to all for its visceral telling of an essential Oklahoma tale.
October 15, 2025
I’m classifying this as the companion book for Killers of the Flower Moon. Obviously there’s a book by the same title and I never plan to read it but from my understanding it’s like half history half narrative. Whereas this is just historical fiction. Is that right? Nothing is really fictional other than the names of the people I bet but the story is definitely real-or at least as real as it gets. RC is an amazing author and the story was so beautifully written that I really couldn’t put it down. It’s tied with There, There for my favorite NA book. I’d recommend this book to anyone who loved KOTFM or anyone who is just interested in Native American history, especially the history that’s hidden.
December 8, 2024
I really liked the book! To be honest, at first I had a tough time getting into it because it seemed slow, but the action really ramps up in the last several pages. Additionally, the last sentence of the book very nicely ties in the main character’s quest for purpose throughout the entire narrative. Also, it took me a while, but again toward the end of the book when the action increases is when I really begin to appreciate all the humor. Everyone is so funny and clever, and the main friend group of the book has this amazing dry humor that I believe helps them get through all the violent, duplicitous bullshit they have to endure.
Would recommend to a friend.
Would recommend to a friend.
December 31, 2023
Excellent book. It is a companion piece to Killers of the Flower Moon. It is a novel written about the ‘reign of terror’ the Osage people experienced due to greedy white people who were trying to either cheat or kill them in order to get their oil money. It is written from the point of view of a group of Osage and sympathetic white people who successfully fight the system. It is a story full of hope for the future as long as the people can hold on to their ancient values while adjusting to a new way of life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 29, 2023
One of the things I really enjoyed about this book was how the author wrote the dialog and thoughts of the characters. It conveyed so much about the Osage people. It wasn’t overly wordy or flowery because that’s not how the author envisioned the voices of these characters. Sometimes no extra words are needed to make a point or convey a thought. It really added to my ability to immerse myself in the story.
February 6, 2024
3.5 rounded down. The story was a very slow start, it's writing simple to the point of repetitive. But the back half exemplifies the themes of the book: Osage culture, family, the corruption and evil of whites. Couldn't put the book down at that point and I can see why Scorcese referenced it so heavily in his own work. A great narrative addition to anyone who wants to learn more about the Osage killings of the 20th century but not a book I would necessarily recommend on its own.
August 22, 2024
A story of the Osage murders that that puts their culture first, much more so than the Killers of the Flower Moon movie. The writing seems kind of dry, though, and I didn’t pick up the condescension of the white money managers as much as it seems I should have given their importance to the story. Or maybe not since the story is about so much more than the murders - the transition of a culture, the maturing of the narrator, the tension of a community in the midst of multiple forces.
August 1, 2022
This book is interesting to rate. I enjoyed it and now must take a weekend trip to Pawhuska. I truly appreciated the authentic Osage voice. However, some editing to tighten up the writing would have made it amazing. We don't need almost a whole page of two characters working our when to meet next....this happened multiple times.
November 8, 2023
A very interesting fictional look into what Osage life was and a small example of what they had to deal with during the "Reign of Terror."
The story pulls you in as though you are truly experiencing what was written on the pages. By the end, I had a moral vested interested for Mr. Red Corn's characters.
I highly recommend reading "A Pipe for February."
The story pulls you in as though you are truly experiencing what was written on the pages. By the end, I had a moral vested interested for Mr. Red Corn's characters.
I highly recommend reading "A Pipe for February."
July 18, 2024
The pacing and writing style feels a little unusual, but grew on me. Important depiction of the Reign of Terror time period from the POV of an Osage young man. Especially appreciated how it engaged with modern life, consumerism, travel and traditions. Pretty detailed in terms of how Osage were swindled, manipulated, and murdered.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 4, 2025
It's a non conventional novel for sure, I thought it a bit difficult to get into at the beginning. But it was overall quite a quick read and it was interesting to read about the Osage murders through the eyes of an Osage.
Instead of just reading about the murders in an outsider perspective that sensationalized the crimes ig
Instead of just reading about the murders in an outsider perspective that sensationalized the crimes ig
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews