The Grass Dancer

by Susan Power

Book Overview

Inspired by the lore of her Sioux heritage, this "captivating"(New York Times Book Review) critically-acclaimed novel from Mona Susan Power weaves the stories of the old and the young, of broken... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0399139117
• Release Date: August 1994
• Publisher: Putnam Adult
• Length: 300 Pages
• Weight: 1.31 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.3" x 1.2" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Practically Lyrical

The editorial and other customer reviews do a good job of covering the characters and basic plot, so I won't go into that. This has to be the best book I've read in months. It's practically lyrical, the sentences are so pretty. The dust jacket is more than a little off on the plot, so don't read that. It's a collection of self contained stories about a messed up family living on a reservation in North Dakota. Each story is narrated by a different person and takes place a random number of years before the last one. The effect is that each new chapter gives you a different understanding of the events in the previous chapters, until you get back to the "present" time from the first chapter, where you have a completely new take on everyone involved. It's unusual to find a short story collection this good from such a new author. I highly recommend it.

Recommended by Amy Tan

And Amy Tan certainly knows what she is talking about!From the back cover I thought it would be romantic and wishy washy, but it is a book of real quality.

A Remarkable Feat!

If you are looking for a book that is engaging and compelling, Susan Power's "The Grass Dancer" is it. Indeed, this book is at once exciting, poignant, and meaningful. I have to say that, among the numerous books that I have read since high school, this one ranks (at least) in the top 20. When I put down the book, I felt as though I had just awoken from a beautiful dream. Power recreates the world of magic and spirituality in a tapestry of beautiful language and webs of stories. "The Grass Dancer" is about the traditions of the Dakota Indian people-both past and present-and the narrative switches from one narrator to another, giving us multiple perspectives into the lives of these characters. The chapters go back in time, so that events unfold in front of our eyes, making the present situation of these characters understandable. Each character seems to be finding a way to be complete, and at the end of almost each chapter, each one of them sprouts strong and resilient, like grass that is hard to pull out. Power brings us in a journey through time and space, illustrating the power of imagination, such as the possibility of walking on the moon. Grass serves as a symbol of power, particularly Indian power. Dancing becomes a way in which an Indian keeps his or her hopes up, making it a dance that is imbued with a kind of survival energy. Power's message in this book can be summed up in this sentence, where she writes, "...look at the magic. There is still magic in the world." This book is infused with humor to keep you interested, and spirituality to keep you inspired. The presence of love among characters is so moving that it will stir your emotions. All in all, Power hits every aspect of an Indian's life: the dichotomy between Indian and white culture, the problems that arise out of dual heritage, disease, spirits, magic, ancestral powers, religion, and love. I would re-read this book, whether it be for inspiration, or simply for pleasure. Perhaps you would find the same joy by reading this incredible story.

Thumbs up!

I recently was assigned The Grass Dancer for my Native American Literature class. I must say that this is a fantastic book. All of the characters are beautifully crafted. The stories of each character, such as Anna Thunder and Lydia Wind Soldier give the reader real insight as to why each character behaves in a particular way. The loss that the various characters suffer does not fill me with sadness, but gives me hope that they will see each other once again once they leave this world. The backwards progression of time brings Harley Wind Soldier to a place that allows him to fill the hole over his heart. This story displays the vivid and very much alive culture of the Dakota Sioux. Susan Power does a wonderful job of creating a world that is true and completely fictional all at the same time. I would definitely recommend this book to other people.

A Spectacular Novel

This novel is an unbelievable first offering from an author. A first read of this novel can be confusing, but a second reading reveals the true depth of the work. All of the characters are interelated and show true talent. The book may be difficult for some, due in part to its non-linear plot line. This book is a must read for any true lover of literature.