The Blessing Way
Harper and Row, 1970. First Edition. Hardcover. Item #5215
First Edition, so stated, with complete dust jacket with "$4.95" price in upper right corner of front flap. Book shows some bumping to top of spine, a stain to the front free end page, previous owner name to upper right corner of the half title page. Title page has a diagonal cut across page. Some toning to pages. Dust jacket in removable archival cover and presents with shelf wear along with several closed tears and a small chip to back panel. Still in collectible condition. First Editions of "The Blessing Way" have become popular collectibles in any condition.
In his autobiography, "Seldom Disappointed," Hillerman credits what became "The Blessing Way" with a chance encounter during a work day on the reservation: "Just south of Borrego Pass, a dozen or so horsemen emerge from the pinons up the slope. I stop and watch them cross the road ahead and disappear down the arroyo...these riders were obviously dressed for a ceremony, and the leader of the group was carrying what looked like a flag of some sort...the delegation I saw was the 'stick carrier's camp' bringing some necessary elements to an Enemy Way ceremony...for a couple of Navajo boys just back from fighting the Japanese with the Marines. The ceremony was an Enemy Way to cure them of the evil influences they've encountered being involved with so much death, and to restore them to harmony with their people." Hillerman stated that the ceremony went on to "provide "the best section of my first novel."
Hillerman's novels routinely include dozens upon dozens of geographical locations. "Tony Hillerman's Navajoland: Hideouts, Haunts, and Havens in the Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee Mysteries" cites nearly 40 locations referenced in "The Blessing Way."
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