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Dalva (Contemporary Classics (Washington Square Press)) Paperback – January 1, 1991

by
Jim Harrison (Author)
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Jim Harrison (Author)
3.9 out of 5 stars 86 customer reviews
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Product Details

  • Series: Contemporary Classics (Washington Square Press)
  • Paperback: 324 pages
  • Publisher: Washington Square Press; Reprint edition (January 1, 1991)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0671740679
  • ISBN-13: 978-0671740672
  • Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 0.9 x 8.2 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (86 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #32,051 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 starsRichly compelling, 4-1/2 stars
By Charlotte Vale-Allen VINE VOICE on October 7, 2002
Format: Paperback
A writer friend recommended Jim Harrison's books to me, Dalva in particular, and I think I must now send my friend a substantial gift.
Dalva is not only a remarkably authentic portrait of a most unique woman (along with her equally unique mother and sister), it is also a book that offers insights into ranching life (Nebraska), the slaughter of the Native American population (the Sioux, in this instance) and a family history that is absolutely fascinating.
The one section (relatively brief) I found not particularly compelling is the one narrated by Michael, the alcoholic professor friend and sometime lover of Dalva who has been given permission to write a chronicle of the Northridge family--incorporating the journals kept by Dalva's great grandfather that begin inside the infamous Andersonville prison. Michael's manic self-indulgence and lack of restraint are, without doubt, faithful to alcoholic behavior but this segment of the book lacks the drive and fascination that are inherent through the rest of the novel. Drunks, even gifted ones, get terribly tedious very quickly.
Altogether this is a sweeping novel that contains not only intriguing personal histories but also offers visions of the land--be it Nebraska or the Dakotas or Arizona--that are so complete as to feel tangible.
Highly recommended.
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3.0 out of 5 starsA Middle-Aged Woman Examines Her Past, 3.5 stars
By Someone Else on March 5, 2012
Format: Paperback
There are several male authors who are generally regarded as having a great ability to write from the perspective of a female character. When I read these authors I disagree with the assessment, most notably because they fail to capture the true complexity that is the essence of being a woman. Jim Harrison is an exception. With the character of Dalva, he explores all the layers of conflict and identity that are part of growing up female in a patriarchal society.

Dalva, at the age of 45, leaves California and returns to her native Nebraska. There she confronts all of her ghosts and finally recognizes that she has defined her entire life by the males she has loved and lost: her grandfather, father, first love, and then the son she was made to give up for adoption. As the book comes to an end, there's a glimmer of hope that she'll put the past to rest and start living for the present.

The subplot deals with Dalva's Sioux heritage. She's only one-eighth Indian, but her white great-grandfather was a great friend of the Sioux and left many journals. The secrets are slowly revealed as a Stanford scholar works his way through the journals.

This novel contains some excellent writing with uniquely expressed wisdom about society and life in general. I could not give it a higher rating because its construction is rather laborious and convoluted, making the reader work too hard to unearth the treasures. [3.5 stars]
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5.0 out of 5 starsGreat character development and consummate plotting
By Will on November 12, 1999
Format: Paperback
It's a few months since I read Dalva, but it has stuck with me. This story is romantic & touching with lots of sympathetic characters who grow and change during the book. The way the different timelines are woven together, and the way the core "problem" of the story is slowly & carefully revealed bespeak great skill by the author. I agree with those who say Dalva is not a realistic portrait of a woman. She is in many ways the fantasy ideal of a lot of men: strong, honest, loyal, self-assured, rich, sexually free. I suspect Harrison is in love with her, and for plenty of good reasons. Harrison is one of my favorite authors, and this is the best of his that I've read.
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5.0 out of 5 starsA fictional charactor that resonates
By mary salmon on January 18, 2001
Format: Paperback
I can only approach this book with utter reverance. Read at a transitional time in my life, as a new wife, a new skydiver and on the brink of middle age there can be no objectiveism. Jim Harrison understands middle aged women, both our sense of freedom and of alienation, a second coming of age. I did not read the review guidelines. Dalva wouldn't.
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5.0 out of 5 starsa book i re-read once a year
By A Customer on November 22, 2000
Format: Paperback
i just wanted to weigh in against the all-girl gangs of jim harrison haters. this is a lovely, funny, deeply moving novel, and, like some of the other women reviewers who have posted here, i find harrison's female characters (not just dalva) completely believeable and quite admirable. if you enjoy this book, i would heartily recommend your listening to the unabridged audiobook version available from recorded books, inc.
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4.0 out of 5 starsA rare fictional creation
By HORAK on January 13, 2004
Format: Hardcover
Living on the coast of California, Dalva hears the deep silence of the Nebraska plains where she was born and longs for the son she had to give up for adoption when she was only sixteen. At forty-five, she has lead a life of many adventures, has had many lovers. Dalva is beautiful, fearless and tormented. Then Dalva starts a journey that will take her back to the origins of her family, to the lover of her youth, Duane, a half-Sioux, and to her pioneering great-grandfather whose diaries relate the violent annihilation of the Plains Indians. This novels tells the story of a remarkable modern woman's search for her son. She is depicted by Jim Harrison as a sensual woman, a woman who always subtly does the seducing of her lovers. I certainly was seduced by her!
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5.0 out of 5 starsLove is not too strong a word
By A Customer on July 12, 1999
Format: Paperback
In contrast to the all-female book club that unanimously hated this book, I find Jim Harrison's female characters to be terrific. I don't expect my fictional characters to act exactly like real life people. Dalva is a romantic heroine for women of the 90s, despite her saddness. Read Dalva, then read the Road Home,Harrison's follow-up.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsA WOMAN'S STORY, TOLD BY A MAN

If you haven't read any Jim Harrison yet, start with this one. It's a brilliant woman's story improbably and beautifully told by a man. Read more

Published 1 day ago by Richard B. Stolley
5.0 out of 5 starsHarrison is one of our best writers. I love this book

Harrison is one of our best writers. I love this book. He is/was a master and gives the gift of a world readers can cozy into and emerge changed.

Published 2 days ago by Say sure
5.0 out of 5 starsReal people

Another great Harrison book. The people in his universe are the best. My current theory is that they all have elements of Huck Finn and Philip Marlowe in different proportions. Read more

Published 4 months ago by A. Cooper
5.0 out of 5 starsDalva, "WHAT A GIRL"

Jim Harrison is my favorite writer; witty and compassionate while being cuttingly observant of the stupid and ridiculous in our society and politics. Read more

Published 5 months ago by David Prentice
4.0 out of 5 starsVery good read. Jim Harrison is one of my favorite ...

Very good read. Jim Harrison is one of my favorite authors.

Published 6 months ago by Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Easily one of the greatest books written by a living American author. Jim Harrison can't write a bad book.

Published 7 months ago by Mike Essig
1.0 out of 5 stars... in "real" cowboy territory and Dalva was not a disappointment....

Jim Harrison always moves me to feel that I am in "real" cowboy territory and Dalva was not a disappointment. Read more

Published 8 months ago by Pamjam
1.0 out of 5 starsI just couldn, t get into this book. ...

I just couldn,t get into this book. I wish I could return it, as I will never read the rest of the book.

Published 8 months ago by Gwen K. Bell
3.0 out of 5 starsPluses and Minuses

The author seemed to ramble in sections which compelled me to skip parts,,, they say the journey to the destination is the best part of the trip but,,, I waited throughout the... Read more

Published 8 months ago by Joanne B. Ecklund
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Really enjoyed this book. Many stories in one.

Published 9 months ago by Jenn

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