American Indian Trickster Tales (Myths and Legends) (Paperback)

by Richard Erdoes (Author, Illustrator), Alfonso Ortiz (Editor)
Key Phrases: raven blanket, honored elder brother, big meatball, Old Man Coyote, Grizzly Bear, Rabbit Boy (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
Erdoes, an illustrator and author, and Ortiz, a recently deceased Tewa Pueblo and distinguished professor of anthropology at the University of New Mexico, have compiled this anthology as a sequel to American Indian Myths and Legends (LJ 11/15/84). Some 106 tales, each identified with its tribe of origin, are divided into 14 parts arranged by theme. Additional information about the various tribes is provided in the appendix, which is arranged alphabetically. Many of the tales are reprinted from other sources and are thus not original. In addition, they are presented as if they were children's stories, so unfortunately the richness of Native American delivery is lost. Still, this is an extremely useful compilation for those libraries with a limited amount of Native American literature. The sexual nature of some of the stories and illustrations make this title inappropriate for school libraries. Recommended for public and academic libraries.?John Burch, Cumberland Coll. Lib., Williamsburg, KY
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description
The authors of the magnificent American Indian Myths and Legends have once again combined their talents as eminent anthropologist and master storyteller/artist to produce a rich and ribald sequel featuring the myriad tricksters of Southwestern and other Native American oral traditions. From the rascally and irascible Coyote, master thief and insatiable lover of the Southwest, to Iktomi, the shapeshifting Lakota spiderman; from Veeho, the Cheyenne daredevil, to Glooscap of the Passamaquoddy; here in one volume are over one hundred tales from sixty tribes, many recorded from living storytellers. American Indian Trickster Tales--with over 150 lively and characteristic illustrations--can be read aloud and enjoyed by readers of every age, and will entrance folklorists, anthropologists, lovers of Native American literature, and fans of both Joseph Campbell and the Brothers Grimm. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (March 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140277714
• ISBN-13: 978-0140277715
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #478,507 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Trickster Tales, November 26, 2006

By	Michael Valdivielso (Alexandria, VA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

American Indian Trickster Tales is a great way to spend the time, be it on a train, boat or jet. Myths and legends about the Coyote, the Spider-Man, the Raven and Master Rabbit. Shape shifters, fill of greed and cunning, this characters are always getting into trouble. The stories are sometimes funny, sometimes gross and sometimes a tad kinky, but they are old as the first humans to come to America and play an important part of Indian culture, past and present. But NOT for kids.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Book, February 27, 2009

By	Heather M. Myers - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: American Indian Trickster Tales (Hardcover)

If you like trickster tales or are interested in Native American folklore this is a great book. The stories are well told, the book itself is well organized. I love that the tales list what tribes they come from, it gives you a great sense of the different Trickster figures that appear in Native legends and stories. This is a must have book for anyone studying Native American stories and legends.

3.0 out of 5 stars Good, but racy, May 28, 2009

By	Michael R. Jeffers (Hereford, AZ United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The stories are offered with little, if any, moral ending. I expected to read the stories and have a sentence or two at the end summarizing why (or why not) the described behaviour is bad.
Also, one reviewer mentioned that the book is not for kids. I concur. This was supposed to be for my 14 year-old's birthday, but the numerous stories about "interactions" between animals and women was a bit too much for me to provide to my boy.