The power struggle between traditionalists and progressives on a modern-day reservation is at the center of Eric Gansworth’s latest work of fiction. Through the characters and their unique “voices,” he deftly develops the multiple viewpoints and arguments that currently exist on many reservations. These voices include a traditional chief and a modern-day group of young adults who, as neglected children, banded together in a traditional dance group. The narrative thread that connects these characters uses the metaphor of traditional dance and its relationship to the integrity of Iroquois culture.
A number of the dance group have come to work in the growing empire formed by one of their members—selling tax-free cigarettes and gasoline on reservation land. This new economic base alters the balance of power on the reservation. At the center of the conflict is Fiction Tunny, a dancer and developing love interest of a man in the smoke business. She is also the illegitimate daughter of the chief, who refuses to acknowledge her; to admit she exists would be to admit he is not fit for his role of chief. Fiction’s resentment of her father and the sometimes archaic nature of his life and government are juxtaposed with the predatory nature of the entrepreneur who begins pursuing her sexually at all costs. Fiction seeks a balance, a path that will ground her identity in tradition while following her ever-changing culture into the future.
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About the Author
Eric Gansworth, an enrolled member of the Onondaga Nation, was born and raised at the Tuscarora Indian Nation in Western New York. He received a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in English from Buffalo State College. He is Professor of English and holds a position of Writer in Residence at Canisius College in Buffalo, New York. His previous work includes a novel, Indian Summers, and a collection of poetry, Nickel Eclipse: Iroquois Moon; numerous Native literature anthologies include his poetry and fiction. Eric is also an active artist and has painted the cover illustrations for a number of his books.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Complex and Dynamic,
By zadig (Purchase, NY) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Smoke Dancing: A Novel (Paperback)
One of Eric Gansworth's greatest assets as a writer is his ability to be fair and true to his characters. This quality is especially important given Eric Gansworth's style. "Smoke Dancing", like "Indian Summers", is not a straight-forward first person narrative. There is no single protagonist for you to point to, empathize with, or be duped by. There is no classic antagonist for the reader to jump on and condemn. Main characters are given her/his chance to speak. Fiction Tunny begins the novel and we quickly learn through her about other characters, but some of these characters are soon given their own chapters. Here, they do not defend themselves; they are themselves. By giving the reader the opportunity to peer inside the minds of so many characters, Eric Gansworth allows the reader a rare opportunity to see characters as they see themselves, as well as how others see them. We are not given a phony third person god's eye view of the world, or a single stilted first person perspective to follow throughout. We are given several first person perspectives. And we are given fully realized characters. If Eric Gansworth were to set up "straw-men" only so that he could stand with a foot on their chests, we would know it. He does no such thing. You will grow to love some characters, and perhaps hate some as well, but it will not be Eric Gansworth telling you how to feel. You will find yourself laughing with characters, hammering the end table in frustration at others, crying against injustice, cursing power and greed. You will find yourself in a whole new world, a fictional one that is every bit as real as our own.
4.0 out of 5 stars
A glimpse of reservation life,
This review is from: Smoke Dancing: A Novel (Paperback)
At last a contemporary novel about Native peoples and a realistic look at rez. life. Not only does Gansworth deal with real issues of politics, tribal identity, land loss and environmental damage, he also incorporates information about the traditional and cultural beliefs of the Iroquois. I wish more people would read his books to get a real insight into a Native American society.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Really enjoyed this,
By A Customer
This review is from: Smoke Dancing: A Novel (Paperback)
I found myself really visualizing and caring about the characters in this book, especially "Fiction" (the heroine, who is named that because of the tall tales she likes to tell. I also learned a lot about Native Americans in the eastern U.S., what it is like to live on a reservation, and also try to survive within the U.S. culture and values. There was some great humor and memorable characters, and I liked the plot, which has some twists and some romance and some come-uppance for the "bad guy" - although I even had some sympathy for him too. I recommend this book.
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