Customer Reviews

Anpao: An American Indian Odyssey

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I truly enjoyed reading this well-crafted book and agree with critics that ANPAO is a "timeless work" and Highwater is a "wonderful poet and storyteller." Highwater has incorporated a diversity of original myths, legends, and stories from the Northern Plains culture, in which he grew up, with elements from the Southwest indigenous cultures to create a Native-American odyssey that is universal in its appeal. Themes of bravery, love, cooperation, honesty, and respect are interwined throughout the work, giving readers from diverse backgrounds much to ponder and contemplate regarding human nature and human relationship with the planet. Highwater crafts his story so well that questions arise naturally, and readers are encouraged to think critically about the themes presented in the text. This is an excellent title to include on any upper-level multicultural reading list.

As a 6th grade teacher, I first learned of ANPAO through a children's literature course. I was enthralled by the Native American (Blackfoot) culture and how Jamake Highwater used it to weave a tale of love, adventure, and history into one book. This past school year was the 5th time I have shared it with my children. It didn't matter what their reading levels were, they loved it, we shared it, and some, went out and purchased their own copies of it. You know something had an impact when a student, who wasn't necessarily the most proficient reader, relates something in his life to the characater long after the novel was completed. "That's something that Anpao would have done." I strongly suggest that all teachers of 6th grade reading or social studies, share this novel with their children.

Let's start with the bottom line: this is an attempt at a collage of Native American stories united around a single, fictional hero (a hero who isn't found in any ACTUAL Native American myths or stories). I don't think it's all that successful, but it's a very interesting idea. The end, dealing with the coming of the Europeans, is the most original part of the book. I found it the most moving too, for I hope that the peoples of the Americas will live, will return. As an attempt to describe Indian thought, ways, and values, ANPAO has its moments, but I felt that a lot of European (white man) values had got mixed in, a lot of influence from that direction no doubt absorbed by the author over the course of his life.
On looking at the reviews on Amazon, I was surprised to find that it is being used as a text or reading assignment in schools. I think that this is a very valuable way to utilize the author's obvious ability, but being "slightly beyond" school, I had a different reaction on reading it. I bought the book to learn more about some specific Native American culture, but realized on reading it that it was more like a potpourri. Let's imagine a similar, potpourri-type effort to present European values and thought. Can you imagine a hero called "Justice" or "Señor Sacrifice" wandering through a mythical Europe on a quest, meeting Thor, Zeus, Don Quixote, King Arthur, and Beowulf ? I don't think such a concoction would do much for me. Should we then accept this book because it's about Native Americans and we want to support their efforts to preserve their cultures and garner more respect for who they are ? I think Native American literature should be judged by the same standard as the rest. No condescension. Momaday, Erlich, Alexie and Silko---top writers by any standard. I'm not sure about ANPAO; it's original, but it has an artificial flavor. As a magical mystery tour of American Indian culture, it could open kids' minds to new ways of thinking and so be very valuable. As purely literature for adults, I have my reservations.

Most odysseys and adventures that I've read are very good books. Out of all of these, ANPAO, by Jamake Highwater, stands out. It stands out because of all the magic mixed with facts. I think ANPAO is for people who like historical fiction books mixed with some action. It not only tells about gods and people that the Indians believed in. It also shows plenty of action, like when Anpao meets the goliath turtle that drowns two boys in the desert. I prefer a lot of action in books I read, so ANPAO fits me perfectly. In every chapter, he is either fighting something or facing a severe problem. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy reading action stories. The book ANPAO is about a young Indian boy named Anpao who wants to marry the chief's beautiful daughter, Ko-ko-mik-e-is. In order to marry her, Anpao must travel to the lodge of the sun and get his scar removed as a sign to Ko-ko-mik-e-is. The reason they can't marry right away is that the sun thinks she belongs to it. On his way to the sun's lodge, Anpao encounters many creatures, such as the evil birds by the lake. At the end of the book, Anpao gets permission to marry Ko-ko-mik-e-is. When he returns to the village, the white settlers invade, and the new couple run off together to get away from the settlers. The character Anpao was believable to me, because before his journey he was a boy who had to learn things about life. Anpao was a normal Indian. At the end of his journey, he was very wise and knew the world very well. Anpao is a believable character to me because people become smarter as they explore more. I enjoyed the use of conflicts in this story, because there were so many. I sometimes could not put this book down, because Anpao was always fighting someone or something. The author made the book easy for me to read because he split it into four different sections. The sections showed the plot of the book in a way that was easy for me to follow. He also used poetry and prayers to show how the Indians felt. Since ANPAO is a historical fiction book packed with action, I highly recommend it. The authour used detailed descriptions when he wrote about the magical creatures. The uses of his poetry and prayers were unique. Anpao's odyssey is one-of-a-kind.

The numerous charactors and situations that Anpao, the protagonist, faces give the old Native American beliefs on topics such as the creation story and the settleing of the white man in the new world. Anpao's long journey brinds him to the mighty Sun god so he can ask a young princess' hand in marriage. It just so happens that Anpao is the god's son. The charactors were written very cleverly wiht the use of personification which brings a deep respect for the animals and the land in the Native American beliefs. Anpao's journey is fantastic and is one that will be memorable for the years to come

This book is an excellent resource for teaching children and adults about Native American culture. Specifically, this book focuses on the philosophy of how Turtle Island children are guided through learning as a circle of experiences. People of a western mind frame can appreciate this book as a collection of traditional stories compiled from several Native American nations woven into a story about one boy's quest to find wisdom and eventually earn the privilege of marrying the object of his desire. Without an understanding of the Medicine Wheel, many crucial events of this book will confuse the western mind. This book is meant to be read more than once in order to grasp the depth of all that it can teach children about gaining wisdom while evolving from children to young adults. This book is best used with middle school students whose age is equivalent to that of Anpao at the beginning of the book. If used in a classroom, it's recommended that the teacher read "Seven Arrows" by Hyemeyohsts Storm or the "Native People Native Ways" series by White Deer of Autumn in order to gain an appreciation for the complexities of Anpao as a cultural resource.

Anapo, is by far one of the most enthralling books of all time. Each time it is read a new sence of existance and peacefullness fills the reader. There is never a dull moment while Anpao journeys to the sun to ask permission to marry his one true indian princess love, and on the way discovers himself with the help of many of nature's friends, and lessons. All the American Indian legends are mixed together perfectly to make this a story that can be read again and again and passed through generations!

A Native American Adventure Set in peaceful, worry-free Native American village. Anpao by Jamake Highwater tells a story of a young Native American man, who is sent off on a great quest. Lots of methods and beliefs in the Native American culture are expressed in this book. To say that this book doesn’t have a new idea and isn't intriguing and informative is quite balderdash. In a Native American village, there is a very beautiful girl, whom everyone wants to marry. Her name is Ko-ko-me-kis. One young man, named Anpao, is determined to marry her, and to do so. Ko-ko-me-kis says that she belongs to the Sun her father. She tells Anpao that she will marry him, if he travels to the house of the Sun to be granted permission. For proof that he traveled to the Sun, he must ask the Sun to remove the scar from his face. Anapao sets off on the journey and he meets many obstacles and many challenges on his journey. This story is gripping to the end. The experience to different religious beliefs and descriptions of how the world came to are two reason why I would recommend this book. The views in Native American religion are very different than that of Christian, Jewish, and Muslim beliefs. The animals talk, and the Sun and the Moon are viewed as people. People are half animal, half human, and some people might like the different view on religion. The point of this religion I believe is that everything matters as much as everything else, that everything and everyone has a meaning. Another reason why I would recommend this book is because of the different kind of culture that is talked about. Some of the cultural celebrations, dances, and beliefs of Native Americans are talked about in this book. For example when Anpao did the cultural dance for the night, and when one of the villages Anpao was in started celebrating after they one a war. Some people might like to be aware of other cultures, and this is a good book for someone like that.

Although I thought that this was a decent book, some people might disagree with my opinion. This book is confusing because of all of the different time switches and how Anpao has so many different personalities and identities. It is also very slow moving. Anpao's journey is long, and it may be a little too long for some people. He makes many stops at random villages that some people might think are unnecessary. Yet, all of these parts are needed in this story in order to be filled with great thoughts and experiences.

What an incredible, in-depth leap into the world of Native American mythology. While there are certainly plenty of collections of Indian folk tales, this one manages to make a single boy the hero of so many--truly, "odyssey" is the best way to describe the book. Anpao is still treated as a real, soulful character, but Highwater still writes in the simple, beautiful way that well-suits the stories.

This is my favorite book. Not only was it written with the exact precision I strive to imitate, but it was captivating in all ways. I could relate to the hero so much that I could have been the hero, and everything seemed to make sense, like it was written to me. I love Native American culture, but you don't have to in order to appreciate this book; it isn't about that. I would call it the greatest adventure novel of all time.