Helpful votes received on reviews:
55% (6 of 11)
Location: Wulai, Taiwan, ROC
In My Own Words:
I am interested in learning how (if) people think, so I read evolutionary psychology, linguistics, and archaeology. I also like to read physics-for-idiots, written so I can understand. Recently a couple friends have been passing on detective novels to me. I have been happily surprised to discover that many of them are extremely well written. You are always welcome to visit my blog at http://talo… Read moreI am interested in learning how (if) people think, so I read evolutionary psychology, linguistics, and archaeology. I also like to read physics-for-idiots, written so I can understand. Recently a couple friends have been passing on detective novels to me. I have been happily surprised to discover that many of them are extremely well written.
You are always welcome to visit my blog at http://talovich.blogspot.com
Mhaway su!
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Reviews
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Ishi's story is too well known to need to be recounted here. In 1911, wandering aimlessly -- or was he going somewhere? Ishi (which wasn't really his name), the last of the Yahi Indians-- or was he? early one morning -- or was it late one afternoon? was taken in by a white community -- or was that taken capture? Theodora Kroeber turns out to have taken considerable liberties in writing her book about Ishi. In retrospect, I should not be surprised, considering the way she dressed California Indian tales in tuxedos and evening gowns for the Inland Whale. But just who was Ishi? What does he represent? How should we envisage him? Starn, who did so much to put Ishi's body back together… Read more
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Other reviewers have summarized the plot very well, so I will leave that out, and keep my comments short. This book reads like a No drama: full of ritualized, stylized drama hidden behind masks. In the end, you never really get inside the characters' lives; a successful novel draws you in, whether you want in or not. Partly, this is characteristic of Japan, circles within circles, barriers within barriers, but partly, I think the author is striving too hard for effect.
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The cover of this book reproduces a masterpiece of Chinese calligraphy -- upside down. I once wrote to the publisher asking why they didn't turn it right-side up, but they never responded. I wonder if they did that intentionally, or through ignorance. That would be like printing a page from the Book of Kells upside down.
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