Because of my bias in favor of all accounts and stories of the Old West, I hesitate to state categorically that ["Cheyenne Autumn"] is a great book, but I have a deep suspicion that it is. And I say this in spite of the fact that at times the author annoys and irritates me with her wild partisanship in favor of the Cheyennes. The Indians are shown throughout as high-minded and well-intentioned—even when they are looting, killing and burning. And, with few exceptions, the whites are shown as cowardly, treacherous, drunken and generally repulsive and ridiculous. And yet this very understandable partisanship, particularly in a woman, is part of the strength of this Indian epic. Miss Sandoz … writes of the Cheyennes with deep insight, complete sympathy, and great knowledge.
If you are interested in the history of your own country, don't miss this excellent book.
W. R. Burnett, "The Frozen Flight of Little Wolf and His People," in The New York Times Book Review (copyright © 1953 by The New York Times Company; reprinted by permission), November 22, 1953, p. 6.
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Read the rest of this Criticism with our Sandoz, Mari (Susette) 1896–1966: Critical Essay by W. R. Burnett Access Pass.
