Customer Reviews

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

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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.

"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.