Adolph Francis Alphonse Bandelier (1840–1914)

After reading several other books on or purporting to be from the point of view of Native Americans, written in or near the 1970s, I was ready to read A. Bandelier's The Delight Makers with a good bit of caution, as it purports to be a novel meant to illustrate his research, written by a lifelong researcher of New Mexico cultures. A few lines into this book, and then skimming the helpfully already highlighted and underlined passages in the book (which I've pulled from my landlady's book shelf) have convinced me not to continue reading. For all of his good intentions, his writing is rather condescending.

August, 12017 HE
(the Holocene Calendar)
Read, Write, Dream, Walk !
ShiraDest… (mais)

After reading several other books on or purporting to be from the point of view of Native Americans, written in or near the 1970s, I was ready to read A. Bandelier's The Delight Makers with a good bit of caution, as it purports to be a novel meant to illustrate his research, written by a lifelong researcher of New Mexico cultures. A few lines into this book, and then skimming the helpfully already highlighted and underlined passages in the book (which I've pulled from my landlady's book shelf) have convinced me not to continue reading. For all of his good intentions, his writing is rather condescending.

August, 12017 HE
(the Holocene Calendar)
Read, Write, Dream, Walk !
ShiraDest… (mais)

I picked this up expecting a dated and dull story from the turn of the century, filled with prejudice or misinterpretation. What I found was a riveting story, full of respect for a culture and realism about the universal ways that people behave. The story is full of details of the ceremonies, dress, and habits of the Pueblo culture centuries ago, and though much must be surmises, it has a feel of truth. At times the author goes on about the landscape, but the only reason that bothers is because you really want to know what is happening with the people! There are a few instances of condescension, yet nothing like most literature of the day, and what there is comes from a place of love, not hate. He's also quite descriptive with his death and battle scenes. Truly, for the story alone, I couldn't put the book down, but I feel the information in it is beyond value.… (mais)