A prescient and complex tale of interconnected criminal and American Indian families around Tuscon Arizona, 'city of thieves'. A theme of the book is European injustice and violence towards Indians, and a prophesied end of European influence in the Americas.

Written in 1991 there are references to cybercrime, increasing natural disasters, ecoterrorism, water shortages and economic depression, the absolute callousness of the rich to the poor, increasing psychosis among white people. It could have been written about today (2023); if anything it has become more relevant over time. ( )

Most of the reviews on LT about this book all mention the length, and the disconnectedness of the narrative - both criticisms are on the money, but shouldn't keep you from reading the book. Length shouldn't matter if the book is good enough. The disconnectedness of the narrative did feel taxing about midway through the book, as I wasn't invested in some of the characters and stories - the early story, which loops back in is easily the best. But Silko is so far underappreciated in the literary world that I didn't waver in my conviction to continue. And, even in the darkest and most difficult pages, Silko always rewards the convicted reader with something. The mystical air and social justice foundation is evocative, especially as it's set in the Hispanic and Native communities, which is relatively unusual. The narrative follows different strands of those communities, spiraling back into the historical context of each. ( )

I'm sad to say I gave up on this book about 100 pages in -- it was too depressing, and didn't have enough of a hook for me. ( )

fiction

Before I read it, I heard this book was long, and BOY IS IT FUCKIN' LONG, Y'ALL. It's so, so long, and I would say the last third sort of feels like you're circling around a drain, slowly. It's certainly a beast to behold, and Silko does a great job of building up to her climax. It's also uh graphic as HELL--at one point, I described it as "indigenous Game of Thrones in Tucson" and I honestly stand by that, so please be wary as you approach this. If there's a trigger warning you can think of, this book has it. But it was definitely an adventure, and one that I will be chewing on for a while to come. ( )