The Death of Bernadette Lefthand: 04/09/15

The Death of Bernadette Lefthand by Ronald B. Querry is another recent re-read. This one I originally read while a graduate student at UCLA. Bernadette was an Apache married to a Navajo and the book opens with her sister being called to claim her body.

The story then is about the brief life and subsequent death of Bernadette. It's told from a number of points of view: the sister, her white friend who is bored out of her gourd since the move to New Mexico, and ultimately Bernadette herself.

It's a dark, angry tale filled with unhappy and impoverished characters who have no means of escape or betterment. For those are trying to make the best of things, there's the pow-wow. For those who don't or can't or feel trapped, there's alcohol.

Four stars

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