Schaefer is most well known for [Shane], especially with the famous film version. This diminutive read tells the story of Little Bear, who is a bit of a willing outcast because of his unusual perspective on warring with other tribes. He lights out for a coming of age ritual and experiences a vision. in a starving and sleepless fog, he falls into an undiscovered canyon and breaks his leg. Over the next few months, he recuperates and proves himself to himself. Eventually, he makes his way back to his band where he carries a mystical quality and proves himself to the others. He returns to the canyon with his bride and starts a family there. Soon, he learns that the canyon was less important in his life than his own identity.

The book was enjoyable and well-written. But it gets the fourth star for the detailed understanding Schaefer of the culture Schaefer communicates. it's hard to say whether Schaefer's understanding is accurate, as I'm unfamiliar with the details of this tribe's culture at the time. And I suspect Schaefer would suffer in these modern times from cultural appropriation criticism. But he exhibits an uncommon empathy for the people and an easy demonstration of the shared human condition regardless of the specific ethnicity of the characters.

4 bones!!!! ( )

I read this when I was a teenager and then recently. In the coming-of-age story, Little Bear is a young Cheyenne who must learn to survive alone in a canyon after he falls and breaks his leg. ( )