The Raven Steals the Light: Native American Tales [Paperback]

Bill Reid (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 27, 1996

Presented here are 10 authentic retellings of traditional Haida myths and folktales. The stories range from bawdy tales of how the first Haida were brought to the Queen Charlotte Islands, to poignant narratives of the complexities of love in a world where animals speak, dreams come alive, and demigods, monsters, and people live side by side. 10 illustrations.

Product Details

• Paperback: 152 pages
• Publisher: Shambhala (February 27, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157062173X
• ISBN-13: 978-1570621734
• Product Dimensions: 4.9 x 4.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,714,692 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Haida legend primer, August 30, 2001

By 

Kellyannl (Bronx, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Raven Steals the Light (Paperback)

I brought this book on a trip to Vancouver and Victoria and read it in the evenings after returning to my hotels. As a European American, I found it indispensable to understanding much of the art I saw on vacation (especially Totem Poles). This book relates many of the best known Haida stories, including those of the noble, tragic Bear; the intrepid, versatile human fisherman-hunter Nanasigmit and above all the amoral but always fascinating Raven. Almost all the stories are simple, yet strike a deep chord. Add this to "Looking at Totem Poles" and "Kwakuitl Legends", both also reasonably priced, and you'll be well on your way to understanding the basics of First Nations culture.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Raven Steals the Light, March 30, 2000

By 

Leighton Duerre (New Zealand) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Raven Steals the Light (Paperback)

I grew up in the pacific north-west and experienced many of these stories as a child. This was a wonderful book to bring back most of those memories. It is well written. Simple yet engaging. Once I started I couldn't put it down. I've since used it as a teaching resourse in social studies and will be ordering other copies for fellow teachers I've shown it to and were equally impressed. I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in native legends or mythology.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A tiny book full of great tales!, June 4, 2006

By 

Michael Valdivielso (Alexandria, VA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Raven Steals the Light: Native American Tales (Paperback)

Ten delightful stories, not just of the Raven, but also of the First Men, Bear Mother, Mouse Woman and other early tales from the times of myth. The stories are full of humor, love, speaking animals and bawdy scenes of lust. Boy, does the Raven get into trouble. This version of the book is a tiny, pocket size, edition. Great for carrying on a bus, car, train, plane, and so on.