"In the Great American Indian novel, when it is finally written, all of the white people will be Indians and all of the Indians will be ghosts."
—Sherman Alexie, How to Write the Great American Indian Novel
Wow, this little tale packs an emotional punch. Told in the second person, should that be a problem for you. It was not for me, as I found it propellled the narrative with an inexorable but tragic kind of flow. You sense where the story is going, but this foreknowledge does not mitigate the wrench as it hits home.
Jesse 'Trueblood' creates VR Native American 'Experiences' for Tourists. A hint of shamanism, the lingering idea of a peyote infused sweat lodge and a spirit animal name for the mark. And the mark comes out spiritually transformed. And Jesse just wonders whether this is all he's worth. He is good at it, but is trapped in the routine, cannot break out because of a failing marriage, a mortgage and student debts. When he tries to vary the script, the Boss has no patience. It is back to the grind, the tried and true.
So it goes until it all goes awry with one customer, with whom Jesse breaks the fourth wall, and ultimately shares a much more authentic experience in the real world. And where this sharing of confidences leads is more tragic then any Virtual Reality.
As a way to illustrate just what might be meant by 'Cultural Appropriation', these 5800 words make a very effective primer to begin a conversation. Perhaps we as readers get an all too authentic 'Indian Experience™' too, as Jesse finds out all about his all too authentic destiny.
Winner of a nebula Award in 2018, and a worthy Hugo nominee.
You can read the story here. https://www.apex-magazine.com/welcome... (less)
—Sherman Alexie, How to Write the Great American Indian Novel
Wow, this little tale packs an emotional punch. Told in the second person, should that be a problem for you. It was not for me, as I found it propellled the narrative with an inexorable but tragic kind of flow. You sense where the story is going, but this foreknowledge does not mitigate the wrench as it hits home.
Jesse 'Trueblood' creates VR Native American 'Experiences' for Tourists. A hint of shamanism, the lingering idea of a peyote infused sweat lodge and a spirit animal name for the mark. And the mark comes out spiritually transformed. And Jesse just wonders whether this is all he's worth. He is good at it, but is trapped in the routine, cannot break out because of a failing marriage, a mortgage and student debts. When he tries to vary the script, the Boss has no patience. It is back to the grind, the tried and true.
So it goes until it all goes awry with one customer, with whom Jesse breaks the fourth wall, and ultimately shares a much more authentic experience in the real world. And where this sharing of confidences leads is more tragic then any Virtual Reality.
As a way to illustrate just what might be meant by 'Cultural Appropriation', these 5800 words make a very effective primer to begin a conversation. Perhaps we as readers get an all too authentic 'Indian Experience™' too, as Jesse finds out all about his all too authentic destiny.
Winner of a nebula Award in 2018, and a worthy Hugo nominee.
You can read the story here. https://www.apex-magazine.com/welcome... (less)