The Death of Bernadette Lefthand [Paperback]

Ron Querry (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1995

Winner of two regional book awards and overwhelming praise, this haunting first novel about the mysterious death of a young Indian dancer is a stunning portrayal of the spirit and struggles of the Southwest's native peoples.

Even today, amid the sere hills of Arizona and New Mexico, the Navajo believe witchcraft is at work. Some suspect it is the unseen force behind the brutal murder of Bernadette Lefthand, a young woman renowned on the Jicarilla Apache reservation for her beauty and graceful dancing. Others suspect Bernadette's hard-drinking husband, Anderson George, who has inexplicably disappeared. Gracie, Bernadette's teenage sister, tries to make sense of the vortex of doom in which the young couple seems to have been caught, while Bernadette's Anglo employer, Starr Stubbs, and an unnamed stranger reveal a tale of betrayal and tragedy.

In prose rich with the rhythms and colors of the desert highways, Ron Querry--a member of the Choctaw Nation--paints a vivid portrait of the lives of contemporary Native Americans. A riveting tale of passion, obsession, and destruction, The Death of Bernadette Lefthand is a compelling novel about heritage, family, and the dark magic of the twisted soul.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The winner of two regional book awards, this debut about a beautiful Apache dancer who is murdered describes contemporary Native American life.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Bernadette Lefthand got killed, "but it wasn't in no car wreck," and the police are looking for her Navajo husband. The story instantly pulls its reader into the events surrounding a young Pueblo Indian's bizarre and brutal murder. Set on the Navajo and Jicarilla reservations, this novel explores the effects that poverty, alcoholism, and witchcraft have on the communities. Gracie, Bernadette's younger sister, and Starr Stubbs, the white woman for whom Bernadette kept house, tell most of the story. The chapters flip-flop between the narrators' points of view, cleverly exposing the contrast between Indian and white perspectives and their cultural differences. This excellent debut by a promising new novelist should appeal to anyone interested in the Southwest and Native Americans.
- Joanne Snapp, Randolph-Macon Coll., Ashland, Va.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 218 pages
• Publisher: Bantam (June 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553375369
• ISBN-13: 978-0553375367
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,064,705 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating, March 1, 2000

By 

Nathan T Bisbee (Santa Rosa, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Death of Bernadette Lefthand (Paperback)

With "The Death of Bernadette Lefthand," Ron Querry demonstrates an amazing accuracy for detail. His understanding of subtle differences between two Nations - the Apache and the Navajo - bring his characters to life. The juxtaposition of these modern indigenous sub-cultures takes place within the confines of an equally contradictory landscape - the brutally beautiful American Southwest. If you are interested in the people, cultures, and landscape of the Southwest, you shouldn't miss this novel.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Death of Bernadette Lefthand, July 20, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Death of Bernadette Lefthand (Paperback)

First and foremost, this is a story which is not filled with stereotypes. The cultures of the Navajo, Hopi, and the Apache are well portrayed. I was most surprised at the topic of the book in light of the fact that it is considered taboo to the Navajo. I supposed that's why the author is not of that tribe. Nevertheless, it was thoroughly entertaining, educational, and just plain well written. It deserves all the awards and accolades it has received.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hauntingly beautiful - a classic not to be missed!, December 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Death of Bernadette Lefthand (Paperback)

I cannot fully express how much I enjoyed this book. Beautifully written, with a story that pulls you in and holds you to the very last page. I've read lots of "Indian" books, but this is the true deal. It's the heartbreaking story of a young Apache girl and her senseless death. It is at times dark, mystical, and even humorous. I've recommended it to all my friends and they have LOVED it. Please give it a read. You won't be disappointed.