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James Welch

Winter In The Blood

James WelchFiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1974

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Book Brief

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James Welch

Winter In The Blood

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1974
Book Details
Pages

160

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Montana • 1970s

Publication Year

1974

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Winter in the Blood follows an unnamed Indigenous American protagonist in Montana as he grapples with loss, identity, and alienation following personal tragedies. He returns to his mother's ranch and embarks on a journey to reclaim stolen possessions, encountering various people and reflecting on his past, particularly the death of his brother and his own disconnection from life. The novel includes depictions of sexual assault.

Melancholic

Mysterious

Contemplative

Unnerving

Nostalgic

Reviews & Readership

4.0

4,654 ratings

67%

Loved it

24%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

James Welch's Winter In The Blood is lauded for its evocative prose and poignant exploration of Native American identity and alienation. Critics praise its atmospheric narrative and depth, but some find its pacing slow and its protagonist disengaging. Overall, it is considered a significant contribution to Native American literature, blending lyrical storytelling with cultural introspection.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Winter In The Blood?

Readers who appreciate the complexities of identity, cultural displacement, and the stark beauty of Native American life embedded in poignant prose will find Winter In The Blood by James Welch captivating. Fans of Sherman Alexie's The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven and Louise Erdrich's Love Medicine will also enjoy this novel.

4.0

4,654 ratings

67%

Loved it

24%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

160

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Montana • 1970s

Publication Year

1974

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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