Could the story be simpler? Man adopts dying child, child dies, man grieves. And yet, in the hands of Nasdijj, Navajo author of The Blood Runs like a River Through My Dreams, this experience is a window into the larger question of what's really important in life. Many would agree that for Awee, an 11-year-old boy dying of AIDS, formal schooling is unnecessary and impractical. What it comes down to, Nasdijj discovers, is providing his dear son with as many wonderful experiences as he can, from playing baseball and flying kites to discovering his first lover and volunteering at a Head Start program to feel "the power of giving back." When a child has AIDS, Nasdijj learns, there's "no later-safe
to store your valuables in." Nasdijj also finds himself doing things he didn't want to do. Father and son live in run-down hotels near big-city hospitals, instead of on the reservation, where adequate medical care isn't available. When Awee's pain increases, Nasdijj obtains morphine prescriptions; later, he's forced to buy him street heroin. As Nasdijj depicts the child's ravaged body, many readers might find themselves sympathizing and wondering what parent wouldn't
break any law to give their child some relief from the "ice picks" and "razor blades" of pain. Beyond this disease, Nasdijj writes about love and the way love shows people how to live. This is a powerful and rare display of visceral, emotional writing. (On sale Feb. 4)
Forecast:Poet-healer Nasdijj is an American treasure. Booksellers, prepare: readers who find their way to this gem will want his first book, too.
