The Boy Who Made Dragonfly: A Zuni Myth [Abridged, Audiobook] [Audio Cassette]

Tony Hillerman (Author), Debra Winger (Narrator)

Book Description

An enchanting Zuni myth is retold by the bestselling author of Skinwalkers.

Editorial Reviews

From AudioFile

This Zuni tale is an enchanting ancient story about the survival of a people witnessing the changing of their land into the desert we know today. Zuni words are introduced slowly, transcribed by Hillerman from a Zuni myth. A major shortcoming of the presentation is the choice of reader; this celebrity presentation does not work. Debra Winger, the very talented actress, is not Native American; why was she picked to read this? Her generally deep monotone and hesitant treatment are wrong here. A young Zuni boy is the myth's hero; was not one Zuni or Native male reader available for this tape? L.C. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Audio Literature; Abridged edition (February 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0944993443
• ISBN-13: 978-0944993446
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 4.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,442,800 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #27 in Books > Books on Cassette > Nonfiction > Social Sciences > Native American Studies

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Out of unselfish love, November 2, 2004

By 

bernie "xyzzy" (Arlington, Texas) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Boy Who Made Dragonfly: A Zuni Myth (Audio Cassette)

"And because you have made me out of unselfish love you have touched me with life"

This is a transcript of a story that was verbally passed down through the generations of the Zuni. It was recorded in 1883 by Frank Hamilton Cushing. He had become a chief Priest of the Bow society of the Macaw Clan. The story is based on a drought that happened to the Ha'wi-k'uh about 1300; before the coming of the Europeans (1539-1540).
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The basic tail is of a people that treated food like mud, and were extremely rude to their corn sprits that were in the form of two old ladies. Only two children and a discarded old woman paid them any respect. This was very bad as the Zuni is part of nature and therefore nature and strangers are to be treated with respect.

Thus the story is of the drought that sent the people away and leaving the two children and old lady behind.
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If one is desperate to hear the story instead of read it then this media is ok. It is too bad they someone thought they had to abridge such a short story. Every word is necessary to understand the myth. It does not distract from the experience to have a non native American (Debra Winger) read the story. I suggest you buy a copy of the book to find what is missing and for the young ones to see the illustrations.