Going Native

The sequel to a memorable novel shifts the focus to an academic's desire to understand and articulate his Indian heritage.
An artist friend, whose judgment I value, says that no matter where you turn these days, American Indian motifs keep showing up. She cites as her examples the backgrounds in advertisements in catalogs or on TV, design motifs in clothing, and the increasing trendiness of southwestern Indian jewelry and art. Writing about Native Americans is "in," she tells me. Other ethn...