Customer Reviews

Stone Song: A Novel of the Life of Crazy Horse

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the second book by Win Blevins that I have read, the first being Ravenshadow. I liked this one immensely. I found it very difficult to put down once I got into the story. From the beginning, with young Curly, who is determined to have a vision quest, but doesn't share what he has seen with his family, it hooks you. Then it takes you through the various times in his life, never letting you forget the conflict that was going on in the country at that time. Blevins did an interesting job of describing the conflicts between the whites and the Indians. He makes you feel like you were actually there. When he described the ones who hung around the forts, you got the impression that you could actually see them in their blankets, waiting to trade for whiskey. In the course of reading this book, I took the liberty to visit the Crazy Horse Foundation website and read the interviews with some of the people who knew him. I'm thinking that Blevins also read those interviews and that may be how he got some of his material. I'm sure he did extensive research before writing this book and to me, it reflects it. I am giving this book five stars. It will make you think and will bring His Crazy Horse (the literal translation of his name) the man to life.

This book affected me like few others. I expected a well written, historical work of fiction on Native Americans - of which I've read a few. What I got was a story that followed me around for weeks and beyond. Blevins did an excellent of portraying the internal struggles of Crazy Horse - his desires, his anger, and his spiritual passion as well as his ultimate integrity and bravery. This is the story of one of the greatest men in history - a true hero. Blevins makes you understand why.

In this superbly crafted fictional biography Blevins portrays Crazy Horse from many angles : insecure adolescent, faithful friend, courageous warrior and non-committed lover guided by the need to fulfil his vision and remain true to his spirit guide.Always a man apart from the others, Crazy Horse makes attempts at escaping from his isolation although ultimately in the knowledge that isolation will be his destiny. The author convincingly describes life among the Lakota,their many warring factions, their social customs and the impact that the broken promises of the "wasicu" have on their very existence.There is of course no way of knowing if Crazy Horse felt as described in this novel (a problem from which all fiction based on a historical person suffers). But the beautiful poetic language crafted by Blevins renders his vision thouroughly believable. A major achievement.

I have read several books about Native Americans by white authors. Somehow I always felt outside of the culture. Stone Song is the first book to invite me into the tipi. Blevins goes far beyond the historical record to capture the spirit of Crazy Horse. By doing so he takes the white reader to unknown places in spirit and mind. This is a must read for lovers of Native American literature

This book was purchased off a bargain book table and began a new era in my life. The characters come richly to life and demand your ferverent attention to thier lives and predicament. I saw Crazy Horse in an incredibly human light and it has inspired me to pursue what I believe will be a lifelong study of Native American issues...current and historical. A definite Must Read for those interested in the Oglala Sioux or Native Americans in general!

I don't know how to describe how this book affected me...all I can say is that it was very deeply and personally. Blevins does a great job of blending the spiritual, personal and political struggles of one of the true heroes of history. The story stayed with me for weeks after closing the book and Crazy Horse now stands in my mind as one of the greatest examples of true integrity and courage. Sorry to all you patriots, but I would've fought on his side in a second, regardless of the odds and been proud of it!

Technically speaking, Stone Song is a work of fiction based around factual characters and events. No one really knows much about the mystic Crazy Horse, but Blevins obviously did his homework. Using stories passed down through generations and well documented occurances ranging from the Fetterman massacre to the Little Bighorn; the teenaged "Curly" to the inevitable ending at Fort Robinson. You follow His Crazy Horse and learn just what might have made him tick.

This is really more than just a novel, it's an intimate look at one of the truely great men, and most tragic episodes in American history. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Crazy Horse, the American West, Native Americans, or for that matter, anyone looking for a good read

I just finished reading this book and thoroughly enjoyed it. I feel as though I know as well as is possible who His Crazy Horse was. I came to know him and to understand some of the customs of his people. The characters were all very clearly defined and full. The historical aspect of the book put many battles and events I have heard of in sequence. This was a book I felt sorry to finish. It is the second of Mr. Blevins I have read (the first was RavenShadow ) and I truly enjoyed both of them. I will definately read his others.

Win Blevins set out in this novel to give us both the "story" of His Crazy Horse, the great Sioux leader, and to paint a penetrating and moving portrait of his inner spiritual life. He succeeds wonderfully. Blevins researched the life of His Crazy Horse and the Sioux culture extensively before writing, and this research enabled him to tell a detailed, imaginative, and very moving story. We see the great vision that His Crazy Horse was given early in life, and how he struggled to remain true to it. He wrestles with the conflicting impulses within him - warrior, visionary, passionate lover, a great but isolated leader whose own people didn't understand him. We also become immersed in the traditional life of the Sioux in their last years of freedom, and experience the beauty and tragedy of their struggle to remain free as the white world collides with theirs. If you're like me, Stone Song will leave you hungry to find your own vision and to bravely engage in the battle to remain true to it

I picked this up at the library having never heard of the author before. The book was so powerful and wonderfully told that I am planning to buy copies for my Mom and Sister-in-Law. The story is engaging and draws the reader into the world of Crazy Horse.

I would buy it for my niece, but she's a bit too young for some of the situations.

This book is a five star book. It should be on the best-seller list and if word-of-mouth works, will be before long. It will definitely become a classic.