A Novel Approach (To Me)

Author: Drew Hayden Taylor

Genre: Literary Fiction

I must say that this book was one of the most surprising and fun reads I’ve experienced in some time.  There seems to be a theme lately of authors looking at mythical characters or gods and then writing about how they would function in today’s world.  Gods Behaving Badly by Marie Phillips and The Lightening Thief by Rick Riordan are two such novels that come readily to mind.

In this case, Motorcycles and Sweetgrass presents a wonderful and humorous look at an important figure in Ojibway mythology, Nanabush (the trickster). The story approaches Nanabush as a living breathing and very magical person trying to find his way in the modern world.  The author skillfully uses Nanabush’s arrival in Otter Lake both to explore some re-occurring themes in Native communities, as well as to remind us that the lessons Nanabush teaches are still relevant today. Taylors characters–including Lillian (the matriarch of the family), her daughter Maggie (the Chief), Maggie’s son Virgil (who is struggling to find his place in the world), Maggie’s eccentric brother Wayne, and a host of raccoons with a mysterious vandetta against Nanabush–combine to create a wonderful story that will capture your imagination.

The story is written in a very casual style and mimics the experience of being “told” a good story in the oral tradition. You know you are in for a treat when it begins with

“Hey, wanna hear a good story? Supposedly it’s a true one. It’s a long story but it goes something like this…”

The prologue is a flashback to Lillian’s youth.  We find her swimming in the lake with an unnamed man.  The nature of their relationship is a question that weaves through the entire story.  Taylor lets us know that there is something highly unusual about this man through a converstion that he and Lillian have early in the story:

“It’s your new boyfriend, isn’t it. What do women see in him?” the man asked.

“He’s not my new boyfriend.  He’s just some guy. Don’t be angry. With me or him.”

“Everybody used to talk about me. Now they talk about him. I don’t understand. What’s he got that I don’t.  He’s so depressing. What’s his name again?”

“…Jesus.”

This novel touches such heavy subject matter as the damage done by the residential schools, the difficulties of land claims, threats to native culture, the issues that small communities face, and the conflict of traditional native beliefs with the influence of “white” Christianity.  There is a brilliant dream sequence late in the book that follows a conversation between Jesus and Nanabush.  It offers the hope. The two men come to the agreement in the end that the human heart has the ability to hold both belief systems successfully, reaping the benefits of the good offered by each.

If you were to think, based on the content mentioned above, that this book is a difficult read, you would be wholly mistaken.  Taylor approaches this material in a light and humorous, even affectionate, manner.  His portrayal of the struggles and concerns of a modern Ojibway community is a slice of life, not a lecture.  His writing is fast paced and engaging.  There is an honesty to the way he writes that readers will appreciate.

The highest compliment I can give is that I could hardly put the book down.  It was that good.

Taylor is a multi-talented writer and humorist. He has a flair for irony that Nanabush himself would appreciate. Taylor has been recognized by Knopf Canada as one of the New Faces of Fiction for 2010.  You can read his bio and writing credits on his author page.

Oh yes, there is one more character in the book, albeit a silent character, that I’ve yet to mention. It is the 1953 Indian Chief motorcycle that Nanabush rides.  I thought I’d include a picture.  Even if you’ve never ridden one, you’ll want this particular motorcycle when you’ve finished reading the novel…

◊◊◊