Our first review, we now have 48 more, check us out on Amazon, B&N or any bookstore. We love feedback. braveknightwriters.comReviewed in the United States on November 2, 2015
What can be said about this novel that may do it justice? So many cliches come to mind: 'tour de force', 'mind-blowing', 'life-changing', etc. And they're all somewhat accurate in describing this excellent first novel penned by a very talented husband and wife duo. But this work deserves much more than just a few overused phrases, none of which accounts for its impact on this reader. In terms of scope, it may not be the so-called "Great American Novel" - neither geographically, since the setting is pretty much limited to a certain region (Havasupai) within the Grand Canyon, nor in terms of its cast of characters, confined mostly to Russ, the story's psychically scarred protagonist, and 'Chief', an old and more than merely spiritual Native American with whom Russ joins in a quest that turns out to mean everything to both men.
At one point, the Chief relates to Russ an old Native-American myth wherein an aged warrior tells his young grandson that within each person's body are two wolves -- one good and one evil -- both always fighting for control over the person whose body they inhabit. When the boy asks his Grandfather which one wins, the old man replies, "the one that you feed".
Having been a reader for just over seventy years now, I can say that most likely everything I've read over that span has gradually influenced my life and my way thinking (not always to the good), some of it more than others. But up until my having read Havasupai, only two books really moved me on the Richter Scale: The Holy Bible and "The Book: On The Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are" by Alan Watts. Suffice it to say that if you do read Havasupai, you will definitely be feeding the "good wolf".
At one point, the Chief relates to Russ an old Native-American myth wherein an aged warrior tells his young grandson that within each person's body are two wolves -- one good and one evil -- both always fighting for control over the person whose body they inhabit. When the boy asks his Grandfather which one wins, the old man replies, "the one that you feed".
Having been a reader for just over seventy years now, I can say that most likely everything I've read over that span has gradually influenced my life and my way thinking (not always to the good), some of it more than others. But up until my having read Havasupai, only two books really moved me on the Richter Scale: The Holy Bible and "The Book: On The Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are" by Alan Watts. Suffice it to say that if you do read Havasupai, you will definitely be feeding the "good wolf".
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