Staff Pick: Buffalo Spirits

Buffalo Spirits by Elizabeth Black

An excellent novel alternating between two protagonists. Most of the story is told from the perspective of the author, a white woman living today. Several chapters are from the perspective of a Native American woman who survived the Trail of Tears, forced move to “Indian Territory” in Oklahoma. Anyone who likes Barbara Kingsolver will also enjoy this book; the authors’ styles are similar. This very intense novel fits into many different fiction categories: Kansas history, Kansas environment, Native American history, autobiography, and spirituality. Also, this book won the 2003 Three Oaks Prize. The author writes a regular column for the Lawrence Journal World. Here is a link to a website about the book: http://www.buffalospirits.com/.

-Shirley, Adult Services

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