Mabel McKay: Weaving the Dream (Portraits of American Genius)
In his endeavor to write about McKay, the celebrated Pomo basket weaver and medicine woman, Sarris (English, UCLA) has been able to find his own identity. Part American Indian, Filipino, and Jewish, he was adopted at birth and is now chief of the Coast Miwok tribe. His bonding with this extraordinary individual and his growth during their relationship is described throughout the book. Sarris's catharsis is reflected on the last page: "I squatted in front of her and repeated my questions. 'Why did you do it for me?' She looked me in the eye and said, plain as day, 'Because you kept coming back."' McKay's life, simple yet spiritual, is as quintessential as the baskets she wove. Her stories are poignantly collected and captured in this biography. Recommended for public libraries.Vicki L. Toy Smith, Univ. of Nevada, RenoCopyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.