Shell Shaker Red Shoes, the most formidable
Choctaw warrior of the eighteenth century, was assassinated
by his own people. His death has haunted Native American
historian Auda Billy, who herself is accused in 1991 of
murdering Choctaw Chief Redford McAlester. Moving between
the known details of Red Shoes' life and the riddle of
McAlester's death, LeAnne Howe's novel traces the
centuries-old history of the Billy women whose destiny it is
to solve both murders. "Very few writers can shift a
narrative skillfully between centuries and negotiate an
enemy language, tribal governments and a slew of spirits
while doing so. Very few can translate the soul of such a
legacy into words, and allow the shape of such a story to
weave itself, like stomp dancers around the fire, naturally.
LeAnne Howe has done it. Shell Shaker is an elegant,
powerful and knock out story. I'm blown away." -Joy Harjo,
Mvskoke poet and musician "LeAnne Howe has written a gripping
and magical tale of ancient Choctaw blood lust and
unbreakable family love in modern-day Oklahoma. Shell Shaker
is a delicious read, a powerful journey into the hearts of
some incredibly strong Indian women." -Adrian C.
Louis, author of Skins "A brilliant, surprising,
hilarious, heartbreaking work that layers vision upon vision
and cracks America wide open. LeAnne Howe has created a
literary landscape you have never seen before and will never
forget." -Susan Power,
author of The Grass Dancer "LeAnne Howe's stunning first novel
resonates with Choctaw history and mythic tales while
confronting contemporary tribal issues. Howe seamlessly
integrates a history of desperate and gruesome fights for
survival with modern Faustian pacts with materialism and
wealth. At the heart of the story are generations of Choctaw
peoples who persevere with ritual gestures of 'life
everlasting.' A cast of heroic women carries on traditions
of difficult choices and of dancing with turtle shells,
hence the novel's title. They are complemented with a number
of strong male characters. In this presentation of Choctaw
world view, even the most vile characters can obtain some
redemption. The themes and events of Shell Shaker render
actual occurrences with portentous consequences, yet Howe's
sharp wit and humor punctuate even the most dire
circumstances. Howe echoes and criticizes canonical
literature with plays on 'Hamlet,' the captivity of Nora in
'A Doll's House,' and James Joyce. In one wonderfully
constructed scene a character also takes on traditional
American history that obscures Choctaw and other tribal
histories. Not only has Howe splendidly presented this
sovereign, indigenous history throughout this novel, she
demonstrates its vitality in the present." -P. Jane Hafen,
MultiCultural Review Aunt Lute Books LeAnne Howe Before writing fiction, plays, and
scholarly essays, LeAnne Howe worked in Oklahoma as a
waitress and in a factory making the stems for plastic
champagne glasses. She has worked on Wall Street for a
securities investment firm, and has been a journalist. Most
recently she has taught at Carleton College, Grinnell
College, Sinte Gleska University on Rosebud Sioux
Reservation, and at Wake Forest University. She is an
enrolled member of the Choctaw Nation of
Oklahoma.
P.O. Box 410687
San Francisco, CA 94141