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Title: The Blessing Way (Joe Leaphorn Novels) by Tony Hillerman ISBN: 0-06-100001-9 Publisher: HarperTorch Pub. Date: 15 February, 1990 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.06 (16 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Much more than a mystery!
Comment: Tony Hillerman's The Blessing Way is much more than a mystery - it is a book that allows a close up look at the Navajo and the southwest. The mystery is great and holds the readers interest, but the reader is also taken to a place of enchantment, where one can almost feel the wind and see the beautiful, but barren, landscape. Hillerman is a master of creating characters that seem absolutely lifelike in their mannerisms, approach, and emotions. The culture is presented in a unique, passionate way, that teaches the reader and places a yearning to know more about the Navajo.
I would warn the perspective reader of one thing - if this is your first Hillerman book, be prepared to purchase others. The Hillerman mysteries will grab a hold of you and not let go!
Rating: 4
Summary: Southwestern Fiction A+/ Mystery Writing B-
Comment:
When Hillerman in on the subject of the Southwest and the Navajo, he's killer. His books *feel* realistic--and you can't ask more from a writer than to create an intriguing, detailed, three dimensional world in which interesting people do interesting things. For 2/3 of the book he delivers exactly that; tops is the appearance of the "Wolf" Witch and a chilling game of cat & mouse between him, a professor of Navajo Witchcraft, and the unsuspecting fiance of one of the Bad Guys. I was just ready to stop reading for the night...but didn't.
The Mystery, on the other hand, was ridiculous. I won't spoil it for you (it does that for itself) but I'm betting that--like me--you'll be wishing Hillerman got back to writing about his Southwestern characters instead of the rather silly "hero defeats the bad guys" ending to the case. I hate it when the author gives the ballgame away by revealing whodunnit before the final chapters, opting for chase sequences and action instead of continuing the marvelous narrative of the previous chapters. Worse is this need to tie everything up neatly when the books would be much stronger if he allowed himself to leave some loose ends. I can only guess Hillerman has to do it this way because, well, it's billed as a mystery novel, and that's the way mysteries are written. At least he doesn't go for the old "...and then so-and-so turned up dead" routine in which half the cast gets killed in order to create false drama.
In brief, Hillerman's Southwestern Mysteries are fantastic books when they concentrate on The People and The Landscape, somewhat less interesting when they concentrate on The Solution. This one is the best of his I've read so far, just edging out "Sacred Clowns" and blowing "Thief of Time" away. A good way to spend an evening as long as you're not expecting a mindbender. Savor the solid fiction (something of a rarity in this genre). Hillerman's books feature strong characterizations which go way beyond the usual "blond, cold blue eyes, wearing faded jeans and a big silver belt buckle" sketchs of most other authors. He also has a deft touch with scenes: he puts you right *there* without overloading the text with lazy, catalog-style descriptions. These books would make for very good movies. You'll like this book; and, just as I did, wish for a more powerful ending.
RstJ
Rating: 5
Summary: "He stirs, he stirs, he stirs, he stirs,"
Comment: "Among the lands of dawning, he stirs, he stirs.
The pollen of dawning, he stirs, he stirs.
Now in old age wandering, he stirs, he stirs.
Now on the trail of beauty, he stirs,
Talking God, he stirs..."
It is in the 1970's pre-cell phone where parallel lives take place. We have an Indian wanted for a stabbing who turns up dead. Not just dead but in the wrong place. Not the wrong place but in a mysterious way. There is also a team of archeologists looking into which craft (they just may find it). One archeologist seems to be missing. A strange Navaho has his hat stolen but the silver hat band left. A woman is coming to visit her fiancé is in for an adventure she did not count on. From all of this Joe Leaphorn must make some sort of sense.
It is the descriptiveness of Tony Hillerman that goes beyond the mystery to pant a picture of a different world that we get to glimpse in the process of reading.
Read the book but the addition of the voice of George Guidall ads a dimension to the story by helping visualize the people and correcting pronunciation of certain words. I suggest you read the book and listen to the recorded version.
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Title: Listening Woman (Joe Leaphorn Novels) by Tony Hillerman ISBN: 0061000299 Publisher: HarperTorch Pub. Date: 15 June, 1990 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: Dance Hall of the Dead (Joe Leaphorn Novels) by Tony Hillerman ISBN: 0061000027 Publisher: HarperTorch Pub. Date: 15 March, 1990 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: People of Darkness (Jim Chee Novels) by Tony Hillerman ISBN: 0061099155 Publisher: HarperTorch Pub. Date: 15 January, 1991 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: The Dark Wind (Jim Chee Novels) by Tony Hillerman ISBN: 0061000035 Publisher: HarperTorch Pub. Date: 01 February, 1990 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: Skinwalkers (Joe Leaphorn/Jim Chee Novels) by Tony Hillerman ISBN: 0061000175 Publisher: HarperTorch Pub. Date: 15 April, 1990 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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