Green Grass, Running Water   by Thomas King

Sept 2005     A Christmas gift from my loving, book-addict Mother.

Well well well, here was a book to think about. But also, a book to enjoy the humour of. And the story telling of it, WELL! That was one of the other great points. "But what sort of a book is it?" you might wonder. Well, it gives a picture of plains indians life, as it is at present, (at least in one region,) and it gives some of the old stories of the tribes. And it tells the love story of two, and the maturing story of another. And it has... some sort of fantasy aspect, of four magic, half way supernatural men. No; women, who typically seem to be men. They probably think of themselves as Just People, and don't bother too much about gender. It's not too fantastic though. Just a touch.

Then there's the element which I greatly enjoyed, but not all might. There was a somewhat severe criticism of Christianity, from the Indian's view point. They didn't say Christianity was Bad, but they pointed out many things that seem to them silly, ridiculous, self centered... ect. So, I can imagine some Religious-type people being offended by this book. I can also imagine some Religious-type people enjoying it greatly anyhow, and taking pleasure from the opportunity to examine their faith, think about it's grounds, and understand how other people could view it.

Ah, yes. And there is also a great deal of comical criticisms against sexual stereotypes. (Did that make sense?) I meant that there is teasing about society trying to control, form, and manipulate women. This is mostly done through the four creation tales which are interspersed through this book; They are all similar creation stories, which have the First Mother, who floats in the water, and then the world begins. It's a riot. It's done with such easy, biting humor.

Ummm... it's a very good book. (But I've already hinted at that, I think.) I was only a bit confused at parts, understanding if something happened, or was imagined, or was only thrown in by the story-teller for nice effect. And then there's Coyote. The Coyote of plains legend; The trickster. Not malignant, but too playful. To playful at times for Anyone's good. But always with the best intentions. (Or at worst, meaning to make a wonderful joke that no one could help but liking.) I fell in love with this Coyote, and smiled with pleasure at everything it said. Do you know what it made me think of? It completely reminded me of a Kender. ("What?" you ask? A Kender is a little like an elf, but much more troublesome. -And with a personality like Coyote.)

Now, I've been left with only one big question; on page 352, Coyote observes that there's an awful lot of Water imagery, and Floating imagery, in the First Woman creation stories. Coyote decides that it must all mean something. But WHAT? The best that I can think of, is that it could symbolise the amniotic fluid... (umm, how many people reading this will be familiar with that term?) -will symbolise floating in the womb. And that means that the whole world is still waiting to be born (literally.) But does the water also represent sexuality? Does the floating represent peace,and unity? I can't decide.

Anyhow, He's a great, subtle, highly amusing author, and I hope to some day read other of his books, (if they're as good as this one was.)