Stone Song: A Novel of the Life of Crazy Horse

by Win Blevins

Book Overview

A historically accurate portrait of the Lakota Sioux warrior explores the spiritual side of the victor of the Battle of Little Big Horn, who spurned the love of wealth and praise for the age-old wisdom of his people.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312855672
• ISBN13: 9780312855673
• Release Date: January 1995
• Publisher: Forge
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 1.34 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 5.8" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Blevins does it again

This is the second book by Win Blevins that I have read, the first being Ravenshadow. I liked this one immensely. I found it very difficult to put down once I got into the story. From the beginning, with young Curly, who is determined to have a vision quest, but doesn't share what he has seen with his family, it hooks you. Then it takes you through the various times in his life, never letting you forget the conflict that was going on in the country at that time. Blevins did an interesting job of describing the conflicts between the whites and the Indians. He makes you feel like you were actually there. When he described the ones who hung around the forts, you got the impression that you could actually see them in their blankets, waiting to trade for whiskey. In the course of reading this book, I took the liberty to visit the Crazy Horse Foundation website and read the interviews with some of the people who knew him. I'm thinking that Blevins also read those interviews and that may be how he got some of his material. I'm sure he did extensive research before writing this book and to me, it reflects it. I am giving this book five stars. It will make you think and will bring His Crazy Horse (the literal translation of his name) the man to life.

Portrait of a Human Hero

In this superbly crafted fictional biography Blevins portrays Crazy Horse from many angles : insecure adolescent, faithful friend, courageous warrior and non-committed lover guided by the need to fulfil his vision and remain true to his spirit guide.Always a man apart from the others, Crazy Horse makes attempts at escaping from his isolation although ultimately in the knowledge that isolation will be his destiny. The author convincingly describes life among the Lakota,their many warring factions, their social customs and the impact that the broken promises of the "wasicu" have on their very existence.There is of course no way of knowing if Crazy Horse felt as described in this novel (a problem from which all fiction based on a historical person suffers). But the beautiful poetic language crafted by Blevins renders his vision thouroughly believable. A major achievement.

inspired a new path in my life

This book was purchased off a bargain book table and began a new era in my life. The characters come richly to life and demand your ferverent attention to thier lives and predicament. I saw Crazy Horse in an incredibly human light and it has inspired me to pursue what I believe will be a lifelong study of Native American issues...current and historical. A definite Must Read for those interested in the Oglala Sioux or Native Americans in general!

A Classic Book about a True Hero

This book affected me like few others. I expected a well written, historical work of fiction on Native Americans - of which I've read a few. What I got was a story that followed me around for weeks and beyond. Blevins did an excellent of portraying the internal struggles of Crazy Horse - his desires, his anger, and his spiritual passion as well as his ultimate integrity and bravery. This is the story of one of the greatest men in history - a true hero. Blevins makes you understand why.

Inside the tipi

I have read several books about Native Americans by white authors. Somehow I always felt outside of the culture. Stone Song is the first book to invite me into the tipi. Blevins goes far beyond the historical record to capture the spirit of Crazy Horse. By doing so he takes the white reader to unknown places in spirit and mind. This is a must read for lovers of Native American literature