A Yellow Raft in Blue Water
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1987
384
Novel • Fiction
Montana • 1980s
1987
Adult
14-18 years
920L
Set mainly near Bearpaw Lake, Wyoming, Michael Dorris’s historical fiction, A Yellow Raft in Blue Water, follows the lives of three women from successive generations of a Native American family, telling their stories in reverse chronological order. Rayona, a half African-American girl, grows up on a reservation, and the novel then recounts the stories of her mother, Christine, and Christine’s mother, Aunt Ida.
Mysterious
Contemplative
Emotional
Bittersweet
18,441 ratings
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Michael Dorris' A Yellow Raft in Blue Water intricately weaves the stories of three generations of Native American women, highlighting themes of identity and family. Praised for its lyrical prose and deep character development, some critics note the complex narrative structure can be challenging. Overall, the novel is lauded for its rich cultural insight and emotional depth.
Readers who appreciate multi-generational stories, complex female characters, and Native American themes will enjoy A Yellow Raft in Blue Water by Michael Dorris. Fans of Louise Erdrich's Love Medicine and Amy Tan's The Joy Luck Club will find this novel compelling due to its layered narrative and cultural depth.
18,441 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
384
Novel • Fiction
Montana • 1980s
1987
Adult
14-18 years
920L
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