A spiritual coming-of-age memoir from a poet praised for her "breathtaking complex witness and world-remaking language" (Adrienne Rich).
In this transcendent memoir, grounded in tribal myth and ancestry, music and poetry, Joy Harjo, one of our leading Native American voices, details her journey to becoming a poet. Born in Oklahoma, the end place of the Trail of Tears, Harjo grew up learning to dodge an abusive stepfather by finding shelter in her imagination, a deep spiritual life, and connection with the natural world. She attended an Indian arts boarding school, where she nourished an appreciation for painting, music, and poetry; gave birth while still a teenager; and struggled on her own as a single mother, eventually finding her poetic voice. Narrating the complexities of betrayal and love, Crazy Brave is a memoir about family and the breaking apart necessary in finding a voice. Harjo’s tale of a hardscrabble youth, young adulthood, and transformation into an award-winning poet and musician is haunting, unique, and visionary. 19 photographs
Crazy Brave: A Memoir
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Editorial Reviews
Review
“Stirring. . . . In her harrowing and ultimately hopeful story, Harjo allows the reader to know her intimately, and we are enriched by her honesty.” (Ms.)
“A saga about the survival of spirituality and creativity in the face of generations of racism, dispossession, and familial dysfunction.” (Rebecca Steinitz - Boston Globe)
“A must-read for her fans and a fascinating door into her world for those new to her work.” (Elizabeth Wilkinson - Minneapolis Star Tribune)
“Harjo allows the reader to know her intimately, and we are enriched by her honesty.” (Booklist) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
“A saga about the survival of spirituality and creativity in the face of generations of racism, dispossession, and familial dysfunction.” (Rebecca Steinitz - Boston Globe)
“A must-read for her fans and a fascinating door into her world for those new to her work.” (Elizabeth Wilkinson - Minneapolis Star Tribune)
“Harjo allows the reader to know her intimately, and we are enriched by her honesty.” (Booklist) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
About the Author
Joy Harjo is an internationally known performer and writer of the Mvskoke/Creek Nation. She has written seven books of poetry, including She Had Some Horses and How We Became Human, and lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful
By L. J. Wetzel
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a gorgeous, lyrical, gracefully flowing book about the triumph of the human spirit. It is written with the beautiful economy of words I have come to expect from a poet. I highly recommend "Crazy Brave" to everyone who longs to follow inner guidance. Joy's life is a shining example of successfully doing that, even through great hardship.
On the personal side, I am so grateful to Joy Harjo for this book. While it is about her life, what she could not know is that her life resonated with my life as well, and explained so much to me of why I am how I am. I too had the knowing, and saw things that were not there. I grew up believing I was just white. My mother was just white. My deeply-adored yet alcoholic, darker-skinned father was largely gone by the time I was eight or nine, and only there on the weekends before then. He never once mentioned that we were part Cherokee. I only found out in a letter from his older sister, my Aunt Joy, when I was sixteen that we were. I went into a kind of shock that lasted a really long time. I was excited, but at the same time confused as to who I was!
It was not until I read Joy Harjo's book that it all came together for me that my mystical strangeness was not only about all my past lives, but also deeply about my ancestral blood. Thank you, Joy Harjo, thank you.
On the personal side, I am so grateful to Joy Harjo for this book. While it is about her life, what she could not know is that her life resonated with my life as well, and explained so much to me of why I am how I am. I too had the knowing, and saw things that were not there. I grew up believing I was just white. My mother was just white. My deeply-adored yet alcoholic, darker-skinned father was largely gone by the time I was eight or nine, and only there on the weekends before then. He never once mentioned that we were part Cherokee. I only found out in a letter from his older sister, my Aunt Joy, when I was sixteen that we were. I went into a kind of shock that lasted a really long time. I was excited, but at the same time confused as to who I was!
It was not until I read Joy Harjo's book that it all came together for me that my mystical strangeness was not only about all my past lives, but also deeply about my ancestral blood. Thank you, Joy Harjo, thank you.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I very much enjoyed reading this beautifully written memoir. It presents honestly and frankly the dangers that young women face in growing to maturity, especially for a woman coming from a troubled family of mixed ethnicity. Joy dives into life, and out of love at times gets herself into dangerous situations which seem to offer no way out, but "a knowing" helps her along her path and she is able to find her way and "release her fear" of change. I'm not Indian, and could be wrong about the "knowing" she speaks of, but to me it seems like an intuitional conscience that is in part ancestors speaking through us, guiding and guarding us. I was greatly moved by the concept of ancestors moving in and around us from reading African literature. People made fun of me if I talked of it because it was not part of my culture, but being married to a Japanese woman has confirmed in me something that is sadly lost in Western culture. Thanks, Joy, for this strong hearted book. I can see a second volume to it maybe in another 5-10 years.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By JMazz
Format:Hardcover
Joy has a beautiful way with words and this book is beautifully written -I couldn't put this down. I enjoyed hearing firsthand about her coming to grips with the choices she was making and then with resistance and struggle, turning her life in the right direction. All humans are guided by a great 'knowing", most do not know how to access or simply choose not to listen. I think Joy brings this to the forefront in her story and it calls to all of us to tune in and make choices in line with our life's journey.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Cojee Harjo
Format:Hardcover
When I can't get home to Oklahoma, Oklahoma comes to me in Florida, usually as powwows. Last weekend it came to Gainesville as Joy Harjo, celebrating publication of her newest "baby" - Crazy Brave (which is what Harjo means). I'm a Joy fan anyway, and the July Smithsonian Magazine gave it a rave review, so I ordered it prepublication and had already read it twice when I was fortunate enough to meet her for the first time. It's indescribably magical, soul-touching, and heart-strengthening, as is Joy herself. She jazz-sings her poetic stories like she jazz-sings her saxophone, reaching backward through tribal and personal history and upward through the stars. She brought Crazy Brave and some of her other books and CDs. I came home with an armload to keep company with those treasured ones I already had. I have a new favorite song now, too - on her CD "Native Joy for Real" - "The Had-It-Up-To-Here Round Dance." Heya-hey!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By McGuffy Ann
Format:Hardcover
I have been a follower of Joy Harjo for many years. I have her books and CDs.
Her wisdom is deep, abundant and true. It is born of experience, pain and survival, though she imparts her truths with insight and clarity.
In this memoir, Joy Harjo recalls important aspects of her life. Joy's journey in life has been a difficult one. Being of Native American heritage (though mixed), her experiences are clearly rooted in tradition and spirit. Yet, she has always felt this "knowing". It has been her guide and her saving grace throughout her life. Her ability to trust her inner vision, her "knowing", and this unspoken voice is indeed more than brave. Her example in following this is powerful.
I greatly respect the strong ties to nature and the earth found in Native American spirituality. I incorporate many of these beliefs and thoughts, personally. My own heritage is mixed and rough. Unfortunately, I do not know much about this part of my ancestral history.
In addition to this brave, lyrical memoir and her poetry, Joy Harjo is a gifted musician. I highly recommend all of her creative and important offerings. She is both inspiring and wise.
Her wisdom is deep, abundant and true. It is born of experience, pain and survival, though she imparts her truths with insight and clarity.
In this memoir, Joy Harjo recalls important aspects of her life. Joy's journey in life has been a difficult one. Being of Native American heritage (though mixed), her experiences are clearly rooted in tradition and spirit. Yet, she has always felt this "knowing". It has been her guide and her saving grace throughout her life. Her ability to trust her inner vision, her "knowing", and this unspoken voice is indeed more than brave. Her example in following this is powerful.
I greatly respect the strong ties to nature and the earth found in Native American spirituality. I incorporate many of these beliefs and thoughts, personally. My own heritage is mixed and rough. Unfortunately, I do not know much about this part of my ancestral history.
In addition to this brave, lyrical memoir and her poetry, Joy Harjo is a gifted musician. I highly recommend all of her creative and important offerings. She is both inspiring and wise.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By NaNaT
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Crazy Brave: A Memoir, by Joy Harjo follows her earlier writings in focusing on the romantic image of the Native American. The mystical ambiance ascribed to Native American existence dominates the difficulty of Harjo's life, thus satisfying that New Age-ish version of the Native American. Having lived on a reservation, I prefer what seems to me to be a more "realistic" portrayal, particularly in a memoir. However, Harjo's writing is lovely, moving into that realm with great ease.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Powerful Journey
I love this book. Joy Harjo is obviously a gifted writer. I couldn't put this book down and I was amazed by all of the adversity this artist experienced and how she survived to be... Read more
Published 4 days ago by T.J. III
5.0 out of 5 stars
Idle No More
A beautiful coming of age story by an American treasure. Ms. Harjo paints a story about resilience, fortitude, forgiveness, family and the gift of creativity. Read more
Published 19 days ago by Adele
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Good Portrait
This memoir was very interesting. the life of Joy Harjo was portray with all its flaws but showed the authors salvation through her art and poetry. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Joan Gordon
5.0 out of 5 stars
Compelling Views
I write but I cannot even imagine what I might say about how I felt waiting to be born.
Suddenly I was here, SMH and struggling just to make the best of it without much... Read more
Suddenly I was here, SMH and struggling just to make the best of it without much... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Earlie Work
4.0 out of 5 stars
Crazy Brave
Beautifully written memoir. Sad stories fill this book. It was difficult to get through some of the sorrow described in the book.
Published 4 months ago by Ann F. Morgan
5.0 out of 5 stars
A beautiful book!
Highly recommend for native and non-native women alike, as well as men who search also for the true path of their lives. Joy Harjo is an inspiration and blessing for the world.
Published 5 months ago by Two Cats
5.0 out of 5 stars
Warriors Heart
I found this memoir to be incredibly poignant and deeply insightful. I have always enjoyed Joy Harjo's poetry and will read them again with a different insight into the survival... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Terri May
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not sure what the point was
I was hopeful, but let down as her story developed. It was interesting, but very superficial in its story telling.
Published 6 months ago by Jeffrey E Ward
