Little A Novel
Little A Novel by David Treuer, published by Graywolf Press in November 2022, is a poignant exploration of family and cultural heritage. This edition, featuring a new introduction, revisits the narrative first introduced in 1995, where Treuer delves into the intertwined lives of three generations of the Little family. The story begins with the haunting image of an empty grave, setting the stage for a tale that examines the complexities of identity and kinship against the backdrop of historical trauma faced by Native communities.
Readers will find a rich tapestry of characters, including Stan, a Vietnam War veteran, and twins Duke and Ellis, who confront their past while navigating the challenges of life in Poverty. Treuer’s rhythmic prose captures the resilience and humor that emerge even in the harshest circumstances. The novel addresses themes of family life and cultural heritage, offering insights into the struggles and survival of Indigenous peoples. With 320 pages of unadorned storytelling, this edition of Little remains a vital contribution to contemporary literature.
Official synopsis Publisher
Back in print, with a new introduction, the memorable debut by the author of The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee
The grave we dug for my brother Little remained empty even after we filled it back in. And nobody was going to admit it.
So begins Little, first published by Graywolf Press in 1995 when David Treuer was just twenty-four. The narrative unfolds to reveal the deeply entwined stories of the three generations of Little’s family, including Stan, a veteran of the Vietnam War who believes Little is his son; Duke and Ellis, the twins who built the first house in Poverty after losing their community to smallpox and influenza; Jeannette, the matriarch who loved both Duke and Ellis and who walked hundreds of miles to reunite with them. Each of these characters carries a piece of the mystery of Little’s short life.
With rhythmic and unadorned prose, Treuer uncovers in even the most frost-hardened ground the resilience and humor of life in Poverty. From the unbearable cruelty of the institutions that systematically unraveled Native communities at the turn of the century, to the hard and hollow emptiness of a child’s grave, Treuer has orchestrated a moving account of kinship and survival.
In his new introduction, Treuer, now among the foremost writers of his generation, reflects on the germ of this novel and how it fits into his lasting body of work centered on Native life. More than a quarter of a century later, Little proves as vital and moving as ever.
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