Synopsis
From the mid-century metropolis of Chicago to the windswept ancestral lands of the Dakota people, to the bleak and brutal Indian boarding schools, this is the story of three women, told in part through the stories of the dolls they carried…
- Sissy, born 1961: Sissy’s relationship with her beautiful and volatile mother is difficult, even dangerous, but her life is also filled with beautiful things, including a new Christmas present, a doll called Ethel. Ethel whispers advice and kindness in Sissy’s ear, and in one especially terrifying moment, maybe even saves Sissy’s life.
- Lillian, born 1925: Born in her ancestral lands in a time of terrible change, Lillian clings to her sister, Blanche, and her doll, Mae. When the sisters are forced to attend an “Indian school” far from their home, Blanche refuses to be cowed by the school’s abusive nuns. But when tragedy strikes the sisters, the doll Mae finds her way to defend the girls.
- Cora, born 1888: Though she was born into the brutal legacy of the “Indian Wars,” Cora isn’t afraid of the white men who remove her to a school across the country to be “civilized.” When teachers burn her beloved buckskin and beaded doll Winona, Cora discovers that the spirit of Winona may not be entirely lost…
Rating
★★★
Introduction
I first became interested in Native American cultures when I began studying them in elementary school. Wherever I’ve lived in the United States, I’ve taken interest in learning about the various local tribes. My beloved comes, in part, from The Blackfeet Nation. He grew up on a reservation in northern California, where many tribes were placed together over the years. The beautiful drum pictured was crafted by a Blackfoot member. My fiancé and I are both especially drawn to Native American jewelry and lore, with their rich focus on nature and spirituality.
Thoughts
With an appreciation for Native American cultures, this book’s title and premise piqued my interest. I started to read it shortly after it was released in August, but had to set it down around a quarter of the way in because the child abuse parts were difficult for me to read. I like to finish what I started, so I circled back to it. I’m glad I did, as it was a worthy read. I think it helped to create more of a personal connection to the sad and horrific stories we’ve all heard about the abuses that Native American people have suffered.
As a reader, there are a few things I would have liked from A Council of Dolls. First, more diversity between the stories would have been nice. Second, leading the stories somewhere instead of dropping them off would have been appreciated. And third, shortening the last part and making it flow better with the rest of the book would have been my preference.
All in all, this is a quick read which offers a unique viewpoint on the challenges of the Native American people.