Ceremony is a novel telling the tale of Tayo, a WWII vet whose returned home to the Laguna-Pueblo reservation, suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. The novel powerfully portrays difficulties between Native American cultures as the dominant white culture, as well as the ravages of war and alcohol.

The novel is constructed somewhat chronologically, but it jumps around in a similar fashion as another WWII-themed book, Slaughter-House Five (Kurt Vonnegut). However, Silko primarily uses the jumping time settings for flashbacks and dream sequences in which Tayo is tormented by seeing his brother Rocky die, as well as thinking he sees his uncle Josiah's death in Japan.

The novel's plot follows Tayo's road to recovery, as he abandons the health advice of the military doctors in favor of the advice of a medicine man. The advice takes Tayo on through a ceremony, as he finds Josiah's missing cattle, meets an ethereal woman, and both physically and psychologically battles the white-corrupted Native Americans, even though Tayo is the one who's a "half-breed."

The novel is well written as is accessible to both people familiar with some Laguna-Pueblo culture as well as to those who are not. If you know the culture, of course you'll get more out of it.

I really had no problems with the novel. It's structured around Laguna-Pueblo mythology, which isn't very familiar to me, and I likely would have pulled out more if I was, but I still enjoyed the book for its story, characters, and descriptions, which are all very strong. Description of setting and character are probably Silko's most powerful techniques of conveying her message in this book.

I'd recommend it for anyone interested in a story of someone finding their personal worth, their own identity, and their place in society. It may also interest post-war novel fans, with Tayo and his friends' veteran experiences.
The novel is probably written for readers of grade 10 or above.


Recommended: Yes