40 pages • 1 hour read
The Way to Rainy Mountain
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Book Brief
The Way to Rainy Mountain
Nonfiction | Anthology/Varied Collection | Adult | Published in 196998
Anthology/Varied Collection • Nonfiction
1930s; Great Plains
1969
Adult
14+ years
890L
Super Short Summary
The Way to Rainy Mountain by N. Scott Momaday is a creative nonfiction work recounting the history of the Kiowa nation through a blend of ancestral stories, historiography, and personal memoir. Structured in 24 two-page stories split into three sections—“The Setting Out,” “The Going On,” and “The Closing In”—the book tracks the Kiowas' journey from their origin in the Rocky Mountains to their 1875 surrender at Fort Sill and subsequent reservation life.
Nostalgic
Contemplative
Melancholic
Reviews & Readership
4,642 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
N. Scott Momaday's The Way to Rainy Mountain intricately weaves Kiowa folklore, personal history, and poetry, evoking a rich sense of cultural heritage. Praised for its lyrical prose and vivid storytelling, some critics feel its structure can be disjointed. Overall, it’s a poignant homage to Native American tradition and identity, though it may challenge linear narrative preferences.
Who Should Read The Way to Rainy Mountain?
A reader who enjoys The Way to Rainy Mountain by N. Scott Momaday likely appreciates lyrical prose, Native American heritage, and reflective storytelling. Fans of Sherman Alexie's The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven and Louise Erdrich's Love Medicine will find similar thematic richness and cultural depth.
4,642 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Aho
Aho
N. Scott Momaday’s paternal grandmother, who provides an ancestral voice in the narratives and conveys personal and historical stories that shape the author's exploration of his heritage. She witnessed significant historical events and is a connection to the past.
Mammedaty
Mammedaty
N. Scott Momaday’s paternal grandfather, known as a "peyote man" and a prominent figure of pride within the family. His stories are interwoven into the narrative, offering insights into cultural practices and family legends.
James Mooney
James Mooney
An anthropologist who provided historical accounts of the Kiowa people, which Momaday references in his work. Though he held progressive views for his time, his work reflects the complexities of outsider observations of Indigenous cultures.
98
Anthology/Varied Collection • Nonfiction
1930s; Great Plains
1969
Adult
14+ years
890L
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