Customer Reviews

Mean Spirit

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Mean Spirit" is a fictionalized, but very vivid portrayal of the hardships faced by Native Americans in the former "Indian Country" (Oklahoma) during the 1920s. Most of the main characters are members of the Osage people, who were and to some extent still are better off than many other native peoples because the land alloted to them in Oklahoma sits atop a pool of oil and they retained the mineral rights. However, as Hogan points out, this material wealth was a very mixed blessing in many ways. First and foremost, the Osage became the objects of the manipulations and schemes of various oil barons and others (very likely with the tacit support of the local and even federal authorities) often with fatal consequences - and this is the main theme of the book. Although written in the engrossing style of a thriller, "Mean Spirit" is not a whodunnit novel. It is rather an exploration of the consequences of the U.S. government's policies consistently (either directly or indirectly) aimed against the interests of Native Americans, aided and abetted by society in general. It also shows that even after active fighting and expulsion ended, the war against the Native Americans continued by other means. These messages are skillfully incorporated in a very believable and realistic story (indeed, many characters and situations are based on actual people and events), which is frequently interspersed with some refreshing, very dry humor. "Mean Spirit" is a fantastic novel and a great work of contemporary fiction.

This book, about the killing of Osage Indians by whites for the oil on the Indians' land, is almost spiritual in its descriptions of the Indians and their world. This world is one in which the land is alive just as man is, and the closeness that people have with the land makes for a more complete life. Hogan's descriptions make the reader feel for the Indians and even yearn for the simplicity of the old Indian ways that are shown to be being lost throughout the book.

I knew the history of this novel was accurate after I'd read it. Members of the Osage tribe were known for having oil monies. During the time of this book, many of them were defrauded or killed for their wealth.

My Dad grew up close to the scene of this book. After he'd read it, he said that it was quite accurate in its portrayal of what went on in those days.

Linda Hogan's words are powerful, and MEAN SPIRIT demonstrates this most admirably. In this novel we cry out against the outrageous atrocities committed on the Osage during the oil boom in Oklahoma. The fact that many of the incidents are based on true history makes me ashamed to be an American, a white person and an Oklahoman. But that is the power of her writing -- Linda Hogan doesn't preach to the reader, but she allows the reader to draw her own conclusions about the real and supposed crimes, crimes of law and of love and morality. Read this novel and be warned -- you will laugh, but you will also cry, as your sense of outrage and injustice moves you to examine your own life, and your family's history. My family settled on Oklahoma land when it opened up for white settlement -- I'm afraid to find out if they were participants in these crimes. If you, like me, come from a "proud" settler heritage, read this book and see what the original inhabitants think of our coming

Linda Hogan has created a world to be entered and cherished. The pain of native americans shines thru her narrative but does not eclipse their bonds to each other and the earth. A wonderful, trascendent reading experience.

The essence of my recommendation for Mean Spirit is this- I carried the "after glow" of the reading experience around for a while- and then spontaneously ordered another copy gifted to my significant other, and then 10 more copies that I have since distributed to my daughters, granddaughters and significant friends. I only have the word capacity myself to say that for me the book is somehow magical in the depth and complexity of it's story telling- revealing the capacity for humor and sorrow, simplicity and infinite complexity that is woven into every moment of life.

You know when you read a book and your sad when its over because you just want to keep living in that moment of what's going on in the book? Well I had that with this book. I could not put it down. I don't know how many hours of sleep that I lost because of this book. Amazing, truly amazing book. The feelings the imagery conveyed in the mind are just indescribable. This book need to be made into a movie. A very well directed movie that is. Will someone get Oprah on the phone and let her know about this book please?

A beautiful book, Mean Spirit explores a sad time in American history. Set in Oklahoma, the book traces what happens to the oil-rich Indians as greedy, exploiters do whatever it takes to claim the land as theirs.

...though I didn't necessarily enjoy the book as much as I anticipated. Perhaps it was the enormous catalog of characters that were introduced. While none of the characters seemed gratuitous (they all seemed to figure in by the end), I had a hard time following them throughout the story. In any event, I'm happy to have read such a tragic and thoughtful novel.

Very Emotional, Moving and Captivating