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Indian Killer by Sherman Alexie: A Review
by Warren Bull
Alexie uses the form of a
mystery/thriller to write about the issues of identity and racism. A serial
murderer in Seattle terrorizes the city by hunting and killing white people.
The crimes set off waves of hatred and violence directed at Native Americans.
The characters in the book include
John Smith, a Native American raised by white parents who knows very little
about his heritage, Jack Wilson, an ex-cop and novelist who wants so much to be
Native American that he imagines a heritage in the group, Dr. Clarence Mather
who teaches classes about Native Americans and thinks he knows more about them
than his Native American students.
Also present are Truck Smith, a
radio show host who vents bigoted rants against Native Americans that keep
adding pressure to the community and Marie Polatkin, a Native American activist
who struggles against the prejudices and ignorance of those in power.
Alexie writes clearly and
vigorously giving readers a grim, realistic picture of being a minority in a
predominately white society. He shows how racism and ignorance affect both
majority and minority people.
That this book is written like a
mystery is not important. What matters is what Alexie writes about. For a
greater understanding of what Native Americans face in our society, I recommend
this highly.
Thanks, Warren. Lots of chatter on social media about this book. Good to read your review.
ReplyDeleteWarren, I wrote this down to order. I know it's a book I'd like to read and maybe one to pick for one of my book clubs to read, too.
ReplyDeleteI have Sherman Alexie's memoir, You Don't Have to Say You Love Me, high on my TBR list. I've read quite a bit of his work. He does an excellent job of transporting the reader to his world, and his worldview.
ReplyDelete