House of Purple Cedar

So wonderfully written. Life of Chickasaw Indian in the newly formed state Oklahoma. Exposes the attitude towards Natives and how lawless the law was.

I loved this book for so many reasons. Native American history and culture is one of my favorite genre's. I was connected with a Choctaw family for many years. The Ol' Daddy and Ol' Mama of the tribe were alive when I first met them 40+ years ago (she was in her late 80's, he in his early 100's.) I heard, first hand, stories of life on the Trail of Tears. It came through Alabama, where I now live and where there is a small Choctaw population still. Reading Tim Tingle's story is described as literary fiction, but much of the story reads true. Tingle is a story teller. I could not wait to see how this story ended. I loved the short bursts of humor - especially one about young boys stealing Baby Jesus from a nativity, and later when he told us about a Cherokee cousin who had a wooden leg and how he used it to fish. The Best Tall Tale Ever!!! I loved the lore and the spiritual nature of some of the events and characters. This story put me firmly in a place and time. The people who survive this story are humble, resilient, and demonstrate that love is the greatest gift.

I really enjoyed this book. I can't decide if it is fiction or non-fiction, I suspect a bit of both. It is a collection of short stories woven into a history of a Choctaw town in Oklahoma just before the turn of the century. The narrator is Rose, a young child of eleven, (young by our standards, quite mature by the standards of her day). Several chapters from the mid twentieth century are interspersed giving the viewpoint of Rose as an old woman. The book is as rich and colorful native American stories often are. One thing that especially attracted me (besides the story, which draws you in from the start) is the manner of storytelling. These are clearly oral history. The cadences are different to stories that are originally written for reading. The words are nuanced on the page the same as they would be if someone told you the story. A wonderful book. I hope to read more by this author.

Following injustice, Justice, atonement and forgiveness all come together in a gripping novel of good and evil, love and hate.

Well written and sometimes funny and others sad or scary. worth the read! Had to read for a book club and it was the best one yet!

This is an outstanding read. . The first few pages were slow, but as the story developed Tim Tingle's characters came a life. Although the book is fiction there are many references to historical happenings from the authors family and from US history. I learned much about the Choctaw Indians. Great read!

This work captures pain and suffering much like Hardy but in a more accessible way than the Victorian era writer. I recommend the read.

I recomend anyone with eyes to read this book! It took me two days to read it, but I was reading at work and in the evenings! I couldn't put it down. I was a sad, funny, and heart breaking wonderful book. It helps you realize what life was like forThe Choctaws of long ago! It tells you how they belived and how life was for them.