Review by Choice Review
This attractive book features a stunning photo of author Agnes Alfred, Qwiqwasutinuxw noblewoman of the Kwakwaka'wakw Nation. Those unfamiliar with these Native terms will have to dig to uncover the former name of Kwakiutl, a relatively well-known tribe. This reviewer found it difficult to deal with the complex orthography used to write down the language. Words key to understanding significant sentences contained diacritical marks that held no intuitive pronunciation signals for nonlinguists. The words were translated only once and a glossary was not provided, requiring readers to flip around the text to look up words while trying to read. It is almost impossible to retain enough patience to read the book, as excellent and ambitious an endeavor as it is. The book is rich in detail and full of fascinating information about girls' puberty ceremonies, marriages, a variety of types of potlatches, and the material culture of the Northwest Coast tribes, but the demanding linguistics will deter most readers. Among linguists, however, this book will likely receive the appreciation that it deserves. ^BSumming Up: Optional. For collections serving the most determined graduate students and specialists in anthropology and women's studies. V. Giglio independent scholar
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
