Louis Owens Book order (chronological)

This innovative collection intertwines autobiography, short fiction, and literary criticism, offering a unique perspective on the author's experiences as a mixedblood Indian in America. Owens explores themes of identity and cultural heritage, providing insight into the complexities of navigating multiple backgrounds. The blend of genres enriches the narrative, allowing for a multifaceted exploration of personal and communal stories.

Exploring the complexities of Indian identity and environmental connections, Louis Owens uses humor and personal insights from his mixedblood heritage to critique how literature and film often confine Native American narratives into a sanitized "Indian Territory." He argues that these powerful social and historical forces seek to neutralize Indigenous voices. In contrast, Owens introduces the concept of "Frontier," a vibrant space where cultures can intersect and evolve, challenging the limitations imposed by colonial perspectives.

Set against the backdrop of the New Mexico wilderness, the story follows two half-Cherokee ranchers, Will and Billy, who stumble upon a corpse and a suitcase filled with nearly a million dollars. As they grapple with the moral implications of their find, their decision leads to unforeseen consequences that challenge their friendship and threaten their lives. The narrative explores themes of greed, loyalty, and the harsh realities of their environment.

When Attis McCurtain, a Vietnam veteran of mixed Choctaw and other origins, dies, his uncle commands Attis' younger brother Cole to find and bury his brother's bones, and in the process Cole and his friend Mundo Morales come to terms with their mixed heritages.