The Indian Lawyer. [Loose Leaf]

James. WELCH (Author)

Product Details

• Loose Leaf
• Publisher: n.p. 1989; First Edition edition (1989)
• ASIN: B000Y8Z5US
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good read for a stormy night, March 2, 2001

By 

Carl A. Schreiber - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Indian Lawyer (Contemporary American Fiction) (Paperback)

By the second page, I was drawn into this strange world of prisons, Indian Reservations and Helena, Montana (circa 1990).

The story is about two men, Sylvester Yellow Calf--Native-American-ex-high-school-basketball-star-turned-lawyer and Jack Harwood--college-educated accountant with a penchant for felony crimes and doing hard time. Caught inbetween them is Jack's wife, Patti Ann Harwood. Sylvester is an up-and-coming trial lawyer with his sites set on the traditionally Democratic congressional seat in western Montana. He also sits on the parole board that is reviewing Harwood's case. Harwood manages to convince his wife, Patti Ann, into orchestrating an accidental 'meeting' with Yellow Calf. He wants her to get close to Yellow Calf so that he can blackmail him to use his position on the Parole Board to get Harwood released early.

Things take a turn for the worst, when Patti ends up fulfilling her husband's wishes too well. Suddenly, she is caught between the man she is married to and the man she is falling in love with. Harwood and Yellow Calf, too, are caught in a deadly dance of blackmail and power plays.

All in all, an excellent book. The only downside is that you know it eventually ends and the windows on these characters that are so well-fleshed out will be closed. Small price to pay, though, for such a compelling story.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Read!, October 28, 2003

By 

Briana Malmquist (Ronan, MT USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Indian Lawyer (Contemporary American Fiction) (Paperback)

The Indian Lawyer is a great book for many different reasons. I think the book holds a lot of emotional impact for many different people and you don't have to be a fan of James Welch or Montana Literature to enjoy the book. I recommend anyone who just wants a "good read" to read this book- I guarantee you won't be able to put it down!

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Intense, thrilling, brilliantly written, June 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Indian Lawyer (Contemporary American Fiction) (Paperback)

I couldn't put the book down once I started reading. The novel painted an intricate web of characterization between prison life, growing up on a reservation raised by grandparents, the contrast between native and white cultures, politics, and confused romances. The plot was provoking, the story well written and cast fully human. I put the book down feeling exhilerated, wanting to explore Mr. Welch's other works.