She Who Remembers, by Linda Lay Shuler is an emotionally beautiful story of the ancient Anasazi peoples, their daily lives, loves and struggles. Kwani, the main character starts her early adult life homeless and wandering, outcast from her own people. Why was she so hated and outcast at the age of sixteen? Where will she live, how will she live? Alone, with no protector and no experience of how to survive in the dangerous wild land of the desert and mesas, she must learn to hunt and provide for herself. Will she find a Pueblo, with kind people to take her in, or will she come face to face with her peoples enemies and suffer at their hands?

Linda Lay Shuler did a remarkable job of thorough research for her fictional story of Kwani and the Anasazi tribes of the Four Corners region. Ms. Shuler has re-created the lives of people from long ago with her detailed descriptions and story line. From the design of baskets, clothing, hair styles, daily chores, to the complicated and spiritual meanings of ceremonial masks, dances, rituals, prayers and songs of the people, the images she gives us are vivid and touching. She has an expert way of drawing the reader right in to the emotional and exciting aspects of living in caves and cliff dwellings. The experiences and emotions the characters feel are felt also by the reader who does not want to miss one word of this compelling drama.

She Who Remembers was Ms. Shuler's first novel and is one I will keep in my personal library. I purchased the book several years ago, and read it breathessly. I just finished reading it again. Both times the story touched me deeply and brought the characters alive. Characters that became a part of my daily life and nightly reading. Memorable characters not easy to let go of.

Alone in the wilderness, Kwani comes up against enemies, wild animals and situations beyond her control. Who will help her? Will Kokopelli ever come back to her land and maybe find her? Kokopelli! He comes this way every year for the Spring Trading and to bestow his seed upon one woman in each clan. Will he choose her this time? Will he find her, Kwani, and save her and give her what she needs, a home and children? Will Kwani find the man her mother told her about that will be her protector and take her in as family? What has become of the loving mother Kwani had to leave with the clan that made her an outcast?

Kwani's mind wanders amid all the possibilities, the fantasies, the fears and unknown dangers she may face in the wilderness alone. Her mind wanders aimlessly as her feet wander ever southeast to ... where? All she wants is a home, a place to belong, a people she belongs to.

Ms. Shuler has given us a tender story of love and struggles, filled with details of how the ancient Anasazi must have lived. This is a story that leaves one on the edge, waiting for the ever surprising events within a book that is exciting and compelling. A must read for those who love to know about peoples of the past.
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For your reading pleasure:


Other books by Linda Lay Shuler that carries on the legend of She Who Remembers:
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