Leslie Marmon Silko

Leslie Marmon Silko is a contemporary Native American writer and a key figure in the First Wave of what literary critic Kenneth Lincoln has called the Native American Renaissance. Silko was born on March 5, 1948, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and is of Laguna Pueblo, Mexican, and white descent. She is best known for her novel 'Ceremony' (1977), which tells the story of a half-Pueblo, half-white man returning to his reservation after being traumatized by his experiences in World War II. Silko's work often centers on the storytelling tradition of her Laguna heritage and the complex histories and identities of Native American people. She has received several awards for her writing, including a MacArthur Foundation Fellowship and the Native Writers' Circle of the Americas Lifetime Achievement Award.

Books

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. Ceremony

    "Ceremony" is a novel that explores the life of Tayo, a World War II veteran of mixed Laguna Pueblo and white heritage. After returning from the war, Tayo struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder and alcoholism. The novel charts his journey towards healing, which involves embracing his Native American heritage and the traditional ceremonies of his people. Along the way, he must confront racism, poverty, and the destructive forces of Western culture, ultimately finding solace and redemption in the ancient rituals and wisdom of his ancestors.

  2. 2. The Almanac of the Dead

    "The Almanac of the Dead" is a complex narrative that explores the histories and struggles of indigenous peoples in the Americas, particularly in the Southwestern United States and Central America. The story is centered around a 500-year-old manuscript known as "the almanac," which prophesizes a massive, revolutionary upheaval led by the indigenous people against the oppressive forces of capitalism and colonialism. The novel delves into themes of resistance, survival, and the power of storytelling, weaving together a multitude of interconnected narratives and characters.