"Darkness: the place where light best reveals itself." In the potent and poignant language of fine literature, this stunningly honest autobiographical novel grants candid views of chronic illness, blindness, and Native American racial identity, against the backdrop of a world often determined to demean, degrade, and disenfranchise. Though Amy Krout-Horn's inheritance brings illness, it also brings strong medicine, medicine remembered on a cellular level, derived from the profound wisdom of her Lakota ancestors. But can the ancient council fire's "spark" that ignited within a young girl's heart continue to guide the woman, even as the monster drags her into the "darkest darkness"? Like the reverberations of a native drum, Amy Krout-Horn's visceral voice resounds, imparting the message that, sometimes, our bloodlines become our lifelines.
My Father's Blood
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About the Author
Amy Krout-Horn worked as the first blind teaching assistant at the University of Minnesota's American Indian Studies Program. A staunch advocate for social and environmental justice, she writes and lectures on native history and culture, diabetes and disability, and humanity's connection and commitment to the natural world. She is currently at work on her third novel.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
It's difficult to sufficiently express the connection I felt reading Amy Krout-Horn's autobiographical novel. As her self-portrait style character of both European and Native American descent comes to identify more strongly with her Lakota ancestry, I am reminded of the phrase--the prayer--All My Relations. I am aware that those words have a particular significance in this story. Finding her way is, in fact, a gradual process, since her father's Lakota blood is not the primary heritage she learns about as a young girl. Rather, she is raised in mainstream, small-town, upper Midwest America, with the religion, history, and values that come with that territory. To that, I can most certainly relate, just like Amy, but ultimately, cannot truly identify with it.
The young girl's American dream is challenged at a young age. Her trials are deeply emotional as are the trials of all young girls. Yet the comparison with most other young girls stops there. Forced to make her own way in a world that relentlessly removes her from security, she recovers again and again from the dark nature of despair. Krout-Horn allows the reader to experience both the brutality and the poetry of life right along with her. And, I think, therein lies the depth of this early memoir. She writes with a flourish that is not flowery, with a poignancy that is not contrived. I did find the omniscience of the narrator slightly disconcerting, in the case of a memoir, yet the book is presented as a novel, so of course, it's obviously a matter of style.
Yes, I feel more deeply connected, having read My Father's Blood, even as I feel more deeply the great chasms of separateness, culture to culture--as I mourn the separation of individuals from one another, created by our all-consuming culture of consumerism.... Read more ›
The young girl's American dream is challenged at a young age. Her trials are deeply emotional as are the trials of all young girls. Yet the comparison with most other young girls stops there. Forced to make her own way in a world that relentlessly removes her from security, she recovers again and again from the dark nature of despair. Krout-Horn allows the reader to experience both the brutality and the poetry of life right along with her. And, I think, therein lies the depth of this early memoir. She writes with a flourish that is not flowery, with a poignancy that is not contrived. I did find the omniscience of the narrator slightly disconcerting, in the case of a memoir, yet the book is presented as a novel, so of course, it's obviously a matter of style.
Yes, I feel more deeply connected, having read My Father's Blood, even as I feel more deeply the great chasms of separateness, culture to culture--as I mourn the separation of individuals from one another, created by our all-consuming culture of consumerism.... Read more ›
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By W. Davis
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have a personal interest in this book, and that may influence my review. I knew Amy and her family personally when she was growing up, so I was very familiar with many of the things that happened in Amy's life.
It was a very moving book, and impacted me emotionally. Amy fights the demon inside her, and it has a very negative impact on her life. But in the end, in spite of the damage the demon does to her physically and mentally, she finds her purpose in life, and breaks out of her cacoon.
The book is very well written, and you walk side by side with Amy as she deals with the challenges of her life. Anyone who has diabetes or has a family member with diabetes should read this book.
It was a very moving book, and impacted me emotionally. Amy fights the demon inside her, and it has a very negative impact on her life. But in the end, in spite of the damage the demon does to her physically and mentally, she finds her purpose in life, and breaks out of her cacoon.
The book is very well written, and you walk side by side with Amy as she deals with the challenges of her life. Anyone who has diabetes or has a family member with diabetes should read this book.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By J. Knox
Format:Paperback
I was honored to read this book before it came out, and upon receiving the final copy I felt compelled to read it again. My Father's Blood is a tender and beautiful story that explores the author's experience with illness, prejudice and pain and then explores how she found determination and remarkable strength by honoring the past. This is a book about family, love, spirituality and the hope, and it is truly inspirational. I recommend it to everyone.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Some of the most beautifully written literature I have ever read.
November 29, 2011
Format:Paperback
Amy Krout-Horn has such depth to her thoughts conveyed in this book that there were times when the words "oh my God" came out of my mouth. Besides being beautifully written, the journey is one you will never forget. Ms. Krout-Horn will be the reference point that I judge all future writers by.
