The Map of Who We Are (American Indian Literature & Critical Studies) [Hardcover]

Lawrence R. Smith (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This unusual novel by the editor of the journal Caliban follows the adventures of a band of "travelers," independent thinkers who "run on memory." Travelers are related to one another by experience but are separated across time and space by geography, culture, and date of birth. The melting pot of characters includes an Italian anthropology student, a Chicano auto detailer, a Native American named Handsome Bear, a blues singer from Mississippi, and many more. Their stories are told in a stream-of-consciousness verbosity that is full of well-observed details. While the writing is engaging and often amusing, this variation on magic realism is sometimes difficult to follow as the author jumps from one reality to another as fast as the sentences fly. Ultimately, the author tries too hard to find a connection between all the characters and their diverse cultures. Anthropologists will enjoy picking out the many cultural illusions and literary references, but others will be overwhelmed.?Charlotte L. Glover, Ketchikan P.L., Alas.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press; 1St Edition edition (January 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806129565
• ISBN-13: 978-0806129563
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,939,777 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not to be missed!, July 3, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Map of Who We Are (American Indian Literature & Critical Studies) (Hardcover)

A friend recently recommended "Map" to me, and I was skeptical that this would be something I'd enjoy. Through the first few chapters I remained skeptical, yet this novel soon hits its stride and begins to show the breadth of its characterizations and vision. The protagonists are vivid and real, whether modern-day radicals or larger than life historical figures. Smith is reaching for a spiritual and emotional higher ground, and this novel proves how earnest and humorous that journey can be.

4.0 out of 5 stars A multicultural and complex work of fiction., August 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Map of Who We Are (American Indian Literature & Critical Studies) (Hardcover)

"The Map of Who We Are" is a challenging and ambitious novel with a plethora of characters and ideas, and is a rewarding read. It weaves the stories of people of all colors and time periods, forging a history of "travelers" - those special in our world's history that have the capacity to lead us to a greater understanding of ourselves. This novel reminded me Howard Zinn's "A People's History of the U.S" with its focus on the unseen heroes and unusual events that comprise a dual mythology to complement the uninspired version we learn as children. I particularly enjoyed Smith's idea of racial/gender hybridization and his off-beat sense of humor. The language in the novel may be too lyrical and poetic for some, but I believe it added to the overall richness of the novel.