People of the Whale

People of the Whale, authored by Chickasaw poet and storyteller Linda Hogan, addresses the interplay among Indigenous cultural identity, nature, and the impact of war. Published in 2008, this work falls within the contemporary Native American literature genre. Hogan, known for her background in Native American culture and environmental concerns, uses these elements to shape the narrative. The novel centers around Thomas Just, a Native American from the Pacific Northwest, who returns to his village after serving in the Vietnam War. Bearing the psychological wounds of war, he finds it challenging to reestablish ties with his family and community, especially with his wife, Ruth, and their son, Marco. The story delves into Thomas’s struggle with the aftermath of the war and the erosion of cultural practices. His involvement in a contentious whaling journey highlights the dilemmas of maintaining cultural heritage and environmental stewardship. The novel explores the issues of cultural survival, healing, environmental ethics and the sacredness of nature, and the consequences of war.

This guide refers to the 2010 W. W. Norton & Company Kindle edition.

Content Warning: This guide discusses war, trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, and cultural loss.