Friday, November 27, 2009

Friday Find: War Dances by Sherman Alexie

War Dances by Sherman Alexie

From National Book Award–winner Alexie comes a new collection of stories, poems, question and answer sequences, and hybrids of all three and beyond. In a penetrating voice that mixes humor with anger, Alexie pointedly asks, “If it is true that children pay for the sins of their fathers, then is it also true that fathers pay for the sins of their children?” Many of the stories revolve around the complexities of fatherhood; in the title story, the Native American narrator recalls his alcoholic father's death as he confronts his own mortality, and “The Ballad of Paul Nonetheless” is the tale of an eccentric vintage clothing salesman whose sexual attraction to his wife fades following the birth of their children. The collection also contains stirring defenses of artistic integrity; “Fearful Symmetry” is an incisive account of working as a young screenwriter for a Hollywood studio, and the poem “Ode to Mix Tapes” endorses hard work as the key ingredient behind any creation.

6 comments:

bermudaonion said...

I still haven't developed an appreciated on short stories, but I would like to. This sounds like quite a mix all in one book.

Shadowplay said...

You've described this so well. It sounds very rich... great job of exposition!

Veens said...

What a great mix! SOunds good!

Bryan R. Terry said...

I love Sherman Alexie. He came and read at my campus about a month ago, but I was unable to get a ticket! So, what good is it being an English Grad Student if that doesn't get you preferential treatment in seeing Sherman Alexie!? (Sorry, don't mean to be bitter.)

Anyway...

My Finds are HERE

Becky said...

I loved this collection! I'm also hosting a giveaway through Monday for this book in hardback. Anyone who is interested can check it out at http://mjmbecky.blogspot.com

Thanks. I'm glad you also had a chance to review this one.

Anonymous said...

This one is on my tbr list, along with all of Alexie's books.