Have you noticed that it officially looks like fall? (It may not feel like fall with the 70-degree weather, but who’s complaining?) Today is the final book in our Friday Faces: Book Club series. But don’t be sad, we have a few more staff to introduce to you in some special posts coming up. Stay tuned. For now, enjoy discovering the book The Way to Rainy Mountain by N. Scott Momaday and have fun meeting our wonderful staff that read the book.
Momaday, a Kiowa Indian, lyrically writes a heartfelt depiction of the Kiowa Indian oral tradition encompassing all aspects of mythical tradition, historical accounts, and Momaday’s personal experience. The stories in The Way to Rainy Mountain are told in three voices: the first voice is that of Momaday’s father, the ancestral voice, and the voice of the Kiowa oral tradition. The second voice is the voice of historical commentary. The third is Momaday’s personal reminiscences in his own voice.
A deceptively short book, it is rich in message, history and myth – giving voice to oral tradition that was just one generation away from being silenced. It recounts the Kiowa’s journey from Montana to their final settlement in Oklahoma over centuries, including their origin stores, the movement of the tribe, and finally the narrowing of the culture as it was eliminated through the deicide of the Tai-me.
Why should someone add this book to their reading list?
- Michele: This is a quick read with a magical ability to time travel between 3 time periods of a family. The first being the legendary beginning of how the family was created and tales of their thriving start to traditions, love, and their devotion to nature. Next, the historical past with their struggles to keep traditions and heritage strong amongst changes. Lastly, a present-day ancestor remembering the tales, people, and traditions.
- Brenda: If you enjoy reading the folklore of different cultures, then I recommend this short story that tells the story of the Kiowa people. This story is told in 3 alternating voices of the legendary, the historical, and the contemporary.
- Brittaney: This book offers fresh perspectives, interesting conversations, and has stood the test of time. It celebrated its 50 year anniversary and there is a very apparent reason for that.
How did this book impact you?
- Michele: During my reading and currently, I have a longing to be back in my grandparents’ house. The feeling of unconditional love instantly wrapping its arms around you walking in the door. The author writes of a different past from my own but has the ability to connect our worlds through his words.
- Brenda: This book is a reminder that we all come from different backgrounds, but we are all humans. We all have different experiences in life and if we take the time to understand a heritage, you may have a better understanding of where this person is coming from or at least to understand why their thoughts may differ from yours.
- Brittaney: The Way to Rainy Mountain made me pause and ponder the way that I perceive things around me — environment, people, and situations. It is a humbling experience.
What is your go-to reading spot?
- Michele: I like to sit in a well-lit room, in a comfy chair with a fuzzy blanket draped over me. I like to be comfortable no matter if I have 15 minutes or hours to read.
- Brenda: I prefer to read in bed with a warm and cozy blanket.
- Brittaney: My kitchen bench seat is my favorite reading spot. It is positioned next to many windows and I get to enjoy the nature around my home while escaping into the world of my book.
If you could create a new invention, what would you create?
- Michele: 1. Dinner O’matic. Creates healthy dinners in minutes. 2. Beam Travel. Instantly travel to anywhere in the world within minutes.
- Brenda: It would be a microchip that would be injected into the body and you could program it to shut off the pain in the part of your body that hurts until it is all better.
- Brittaney: A less cumbersome book light.
Thank you again to all our staff that participated in our Friday Faces: Book Club. We hope our readers have enjoyed learning about our amazing staff while also learning about some compelling literature.
