Grand Avenue [Hardcover]

Greg Sarris (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1994

A wonderful collection of interrelated stories, by the chief of the Miwok tribe, creates a fully formed picture of a California community where native Americans, blacks, Mexicans, and Portugese make their way through a difficult world. A first collection. 15,000 first printing.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In his fiction debut, Sarris (Keeping Slug Woman Alive) offers 10 affecting stories that weave the history of five generations of Pomo Indians in Santa Rosa, Calif., with that of the other ethnic residents of Grand Avenue, "two rows of army barracks separated by a potholed dirt road littered with junk and dirty children." In "How I Got to Be Queen," the author, who teaches English at UCLA and is an elected chief of the Miwok tribe, tells of an Indian girl who defends her sister's relationship with a black man. In "Joy Ride," he imagines a Portuguese man recalling a boyhood affair with an Indian girl. Though Sarris's use of flashbacks are sometimes awkward, the past beautifully complements the present in "The Indian Maid," wherein an opal ring stolen years earlier by the title character now serves as a catalyst for her daughter's education. Indian mysticism, folklore and superstition inform many of the tales. In "Sam Toms's Last Song," a 100-year-old man connives to move in with an elderly basket-weaver who talks to spirits and cures illnesses through songs, only to find himself outwitted by the old woman. Because most of the stories are told in the first person in a nearly unvarying narrative style, it's often difficult to discern one character from another; ironically, however, what emerges from this sameness is an even richer sense of community, albeit a community in which family relationships are strained. As one character observes, "After what all's happened to us, it's a wonder what we do to ourselves." Film rights to HBO; author tour.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Set in a small city in northern California, these ten stories focus on Santa Rosa's poorest neighborhood, Grand Avenue. The most noticeable population on Grand Avenue is a clan of Native Americans, Pomo Indians who live in dilapidated army barracks at the end of the street. Drunkenness, family fights, welfare payments, and illegitimate children abound. Each of the stories is narrated by a different character, yet all the speakers sound the same. The message is that there are no individuals on Grand Avenue; everyone is related by blood and guilt. A particularly good example is "Joy Ride," a tale of a good husband undone by a teenaged temptress. Many of the stories are narrated by middle-aged women, sisters or half-sisters. Surprisingly, timely doses of dark humor and human hope imbue this collection by the author of Mabel McKay: Weaving the Dream (LJ 8/94) with a sort of true joy. For most serious fiction collections.
James B. Hemesath, Adams State Coll. Lib., Alamosa, Col.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 229 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion Books; 1st edition (September 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786860170
• ISBN-13: 978-0786860173
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #666,046 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It is Grand...a must-read!, June 12, 2001

By 

"mim47" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Grand Avenue: A Novel in Stories (Paperback)

As a Native American, I found the book to be a compelling and truthful view of the modern world of urban Indian life. The clean lines of the stories are perfectly juxtaposed with the "stuff" of daily life in the urban rez. Sarris masterfully captures the meat and bread of this group of "Injuns" who are trying to get by the best way they can despite their disenfranchisement and despair. The basket of stories he weaves is a hypnotic mix of laughter and tears. Once the reader embarks on the adventure he simply cannot stop til the very last word. One finds a sort of happiness in the daily doings of these relateds. The humor that exudes from nearly every page ameliorates the drastic situations the characters encounter. I found the issue of "poison" to be the most compelling issue Sarris brings forward in his finely-crafted novel. I hope that non-Indians will take this look carefully as there is poison in every group of humans. If one cannot see it, it will take over. Sarris lays it out for all to see and for the lesson. What will be learned fromt his brilliant novel? There may be poison in your own family, in your neighborhood, down the street, on the freeway, in the government...watch out! be careful!

For Sarris fans, please check out his latest, Watermelon Nights. It is a winner too!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars loved the acting on the movie i saw on cable, April 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Grand Avenue (Hardcover)

trying to find the video . can anyone help me locate the 3-hour movie or tape. Thanks in advance [e-mail]

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good, quick, harsh read......, February 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Grand Avenue (Hardcover)

I read this book a few months ago. I tried to read it a year ago and found myself unengrossed. However, the second try was much better. This collection of short stories about an extended Indian family, thier plight and difficult circumstances are telling and harsh. I found myself relating to the characters' language and thoughts, not to mention family life. I suppose the difficulty in the first try was due to the tragic reality that the author has portrayed in this book. I highly reccomend this book of mondern day Indian life laden with poverty and self reliance. I look forward to reading other Indian authors' works with modern stories of Indian life to tell. Thank you.

Numunu