Evidence of Red

LeAnne Howe's Evidence of Red is a complex and exhilarating symphony, with passages of mythic sweep, swatches of history, and poignant memoir - held together with her inimitable take-no-prisoners comic sense. -- Ken McCullough How does she do it? Cross 'Rocky Horror Picture Show' with 'War and Peace' in a voice that sings America's song as deeply as the best musical poetry of Walt Whitman? But no, Howe's voice is so utterly unique, comparisons can't do her justice. Evidence of Red succeeds on every level: emotional, intellectual, spiritual, sensual, political. This volume is a gift from a rich place - wise, generous, exciting, and completely fresh. -- Susan Power LeAnne Howe's Evidence of Red: Poems and Prose cracks open the strictures of literature with passion, enthusiasm, verve, and style! And I mean it is truly coming into being Choctaw style and beyond! You haven't read Howe yet until you experience her ranging in Evidence of Red from oral story style, poetic verse, fiction, dramatic script, even a bit of a musical, take your pick. And then let her lead you into history, intrigue, comedy and comic insight, even mystery, yes, as she impells you and other readers toward decolonization with attitude!! A very fine and fulfilling read. -- Simon J. Ortiz Strong earth based prose/poetry, steeped rich in Choctaw perspective. The poems that include 'Indian Mascot' and 'Noble Savage' are especially humorous. -- Luke Warm Water I am stunned by the beauty, humor, and originality of this book. It feels as new as the Garden of Eden, except Adam is really the Holy Trinity of the Three Stooges, and Eve is a genius Native woman poet-professor. For years, I've hoped that we Native writers will build a 21st century literary rocket and blast off into brand new space. LeAnne Howe (along with Adam, Eve, the Three Stooges, The Lone Ranger and Tonto, Crazy Horse and Custer, and the entire cast of Gilligan's Island, along with Emily Dickinson, Walt Whitman, and five or six smiling Indian elders) has done exactly that. This book is new. -- Sherman Alexie

Evidence of Red contains dramatic events of the creation of a people, interwoven with a haunting narrative of their lost homelands. Howe takes her readers through the chaos of lost lives and the cannibalism of fallen lovers, inviting readers into her world of Choctaw Code Talking.

Winner Of The 2006 Oklahoma Book AwardsEvidence of Red: Prose and Poems rails against lost lands and lovers, heralds death and mad warriors, and celebrates a doomed love affair between Hollywood’s invented characters: “Noble Savage” and “Indian Sports Mascot.” The author, a Choctaw Indian from Oklahoma writes about modern life in America, as well as the strange and humorous encounters she’s had with Arabs in Syria, and Jews in Israel. She writes of growing up in a family of native storytellers who tell of their lives and experiences.