Hobbs writes a good plot. His story line is clear, interesting, and believable. His characters do lean toward the obvious stereotypes for their kind— Cloyd's stoicism, reluctance to conform, and determination do not suggest someone very different from many other Native American characters in literature and film. However, Hobbs saves Cloyd from being a stereotype with his revelation and growth by book's end. As the story concludes, Cloyd has grown far beyond his early, stolid presence.

Walter, too, grows some, although not as much as Cloyd. Walter is nicely drawn by Hobbs through many scenes where Hobbs adds a detail here and a bit of background there. Overall, Walter—although outlined as the typical kindly old man with an unrealized dream—displays enough range of emotion and action to make him, also, a round and well-developed character.

Hobbs employs several symbols throughout to...