First published 1996
Abel grows up learning the rhythms of his ancestral land, listening to seasonal changes and absorbing the wisdom of peyote ceremonies. His people have taught him to honor ancient ways that connect him to something larger than himself. Then war takes him far from home, exposing him to a world that operates by different rules entirely. When Abel comes back, he finds himself caught between two incompatible realities. The traditional knowledge that once grounded him now feels distant and inadequate for navigating twentieth century demands. The wider world offers temptations and opportunities his ancestors never faced. Abel struggles to find his place in either realm, becoming increasingly alienated from both his heritage and the modern society surrounding him. He cannot fully reject what his people taught him, yet he cannot ignore the pull of contemporary life. This internal conflict leaves Abel adrift, searching for an identity that honors his past while allowing him to function in the present.
Genres: literary-fiction, american-fiction, 20th-century, native-american
Vibes: intimate, lyrical, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, internal-conflict
Setting: United States
Period: 20th Century
212 pages · Hardcover · University of Arizona Press