A Yellow Raft in Blue Water

by Michael Dorris

Book Overview

Moving backward in time, Dorris's critically acclaimed debut novel is a lyrical saga of three generations of Native American women beset by hardship and torn by angry secrets.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0446387878
• ISBN13: 9780446387873
• Release Date: March 1988
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
• Length: 372 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Age Range: 13 years and up

Customer Reviews

Brilliant, Funnybone Tickling, Illuminating, Healing Work!

Just finished this novel after having it given to me [dare I say it?] nearly five years ago! For some reason as other unread books were purged from the shelves, Dorris' novel remained waiting...And I am grateful! This book takes you places you never realized you could go as Dorris skillfully, poetically and [at times] bluntly places you square-center to the actions, thoughts, and feelings of these memorable characters that somehow merge into family members before the novel is through! And if you think you've got a handle on things once you get a hold of yourself near the beginning, welll..hmmm...I thought the same thing. :) One of the best reads I've ever had...a stand-alone achievement depicting the universality of human connection, beginning and ending at the heart, the center of it all. Enjoy the laughter and the healing with this one! Bravo Mr. Dorris! Sincerely, Bead

A seminal work

"A Yellow Raft in Blue Water" is one story, a single epoch, but told three times, each telling by one of the three women who shared it: the grandmother, Ida, the mother, Christine, and the daughter, Rayona. But, this book is not just about a single story seen through three different pairs of eyes. It's really a story of the forces that compel each of us to do the things we do, frequently against our own intuition or better judgement ---- and, all of them ring true. Dorris, the author, had incredible insight into human behavior when he wrote this book. Tragically, I understand that he ended his own life by suicide. Although this is fiction, it's a poignant revelation into the consequences of embracing cultural belief systems that have little basis in reality. Ruined or miserable lives are often the result. The daughter, Rayona, like many teenagers, trashes the moors of her elders and shows promise of breaking out of the cruel cycle that held her mother and grandmother captive to an miserable life. This book is a plea: it asks how we know for sure, what we think we know for sure. Granted, that's a bit heavy, but certainly worthwhile for anyone who wonders where happiness lies.

A seminal work.

"A Yellow Raft in Blue Water" is one story, a single epoch, but told three times, each telling by one of the three women who shared it: the grandmother, Ida, the mother, Christine, and the daughter, Rayona. But, this book is not just about a single story seen through three different pairs of eyes. It's really a story of the forces that compel each of us to do the things we do, frequently against our own intuition or better judgement ---- and, all of them ring true. Dorris, the author, had incredible insight into human behavior when he wrote this book. Tragically, I understand that he ended his own life by suicide. Although this is fiction, it's a poignant revelation into the consequences of embracing cultural belief systems that have little basis in reality. Ruined or miserable lives are often the result. The daughter, Rayona, like many teenagers, trashes the moors of her elders and shows promise of breaking out of the cruel cycle that held her mother and grandmother captive to an miserable life.This book is a plea: it asks how we know for sure, what we think we know for sure. Granted, that's a bit heavy, but certainly worthwhile for anyone who wonders where happiness lies.

yellow raft

Yello Raft in Blue Water takes place on a Native American reservation in Montana and explores the lives of three women:Rayona, Christine, and Ida. Ida is the mother of Rayona and the grandmother of Rayona. The book is divided into three sections, one for Rayona's life, one for Christine's life and one for Ida's life. This technique really make the book interesting and more exciting to read because you wonder why characters are acting the way they are or why a situation is the way it is and Michael Dorris journeys back in time and provides the reader with history from the character's prospective. This keeps the reader involved in the story whl the plot moves quickly. The book explores true family love eventhough it isn't always visible to an outsider. Most people would wonder why Christine and Elgin have stayed married for so many years when half of the time they don't life together, but once you see it from their perspective you realize that it's a relationship that they can't live without. Dorris realistically illustrates a love/hate relationship that the couple always has to fall back on. This is important to the story because it gives insight into why Christine has so many problems and why Rayona is exceptionally independant. This book epxresses th generation gap that occurs in today's society. One generation thinks that the other could never understand what they're going through whil the older generation has had a long hard life but sometime decides to keep their stories secret. Ida and Christine had a difficult time understanding each other, which contributed to a strained relationship between Chistine and Rayona. Michael Dorris has writtena wonderful book that really captures your imagination and pulls you into it. I would reccomend this book to anyone and everyone.

A Good read for Mothers and Daughters

This book is wonderful. I just finished reading it yesterday, and I hated it to end. The story focuses on Rayona, Rayona's mother Christine, and Christine's mother Ida. The same story is basically retold from all 3 women's POV. This book shows us how important communication is with in our lives; not just for our benifit, but for the benifit of others. This story shows 3 women changing as they retell whay has happened to them and realize their own mistakes along the way. It is a story full of suprises and you hate to see it end. This is a definate read for mothers who don't understand their daughters, and daughters who don't undersatnd their mothers. If both read this book, they might easliy find that their "misunderstandings" are mearly lacks in communication. But watch out guys, this is a definite "chick flick".