Green Grass, Running Water Reader Response

Green Grass, Running Water by Thomas King is an interesting book to read. I will admit I had trouble following many parts of the book, and some of the puns went right over my head. King's writing style is different then other books I have read in the past. This novel is filled with different themes, stereotypes and symbolism.

I found the four Indians to be the most intriguing characters throughout the book. The Lone Ranger, Hawkeye, Robinson Crusoe, and Ishmael are all famous fictional white men. Which is ironic because the four Indians are women and well, Indians. They are on a quest "to fix up the world"(133), and seem to have been doing so for a long time. Each has their own story of the beginning of the world, yet they all seem to be related. Which may also represent their own personal stories. The Lone Ranger, Hawkeye, Robinson Crusoe and Ishmael along with Coyote, who is a unique character himself, seem to be narrators, along with active characters in this novel. I am looking forward to discussing these characters and their purpose in the novel more in depth during discussion.


Each character seems to have their own story line, yet all the stories seem to be connected. Lionel is in love with Alberta, who is also dating Charlie, his cousin. Eli's cabin is standing in the way of a major dam project. Latisha runs a restaurant called the Dead Dog Cafe. Norma seems to be the boss figure for all of the characters. Babo is friends with the four elders and works at the hospital they escape from. Dr. Hovaugh is convinced that Lone Ranger, Hawkeye, Robinson Crusoe and Ishmael are responsible for terrible events from the past. And Coyote likes to cause mischief and run through everyone's story.

Along with each character having their own story, they seem to have their own theme as well. For Lionel his theme seems to be mistakes. We learn that he was three major mistakes but his life in general seems to be a mistake. Lionel is unhappy with his life and what he has become. He is forty, sells televisions for a living, has no college education, and is in love with a women who is dating his cousin. Alberta's theme has to do with decisions and commitment. She seems to struggle with this issue throughout the whole book. Her dream is to have a child but no husband. She is dating two men at the same time, neither I believe she is truly in love with. Eli is struggling with the return home. He left the reservation and saw the world, tried to be a white man as Norma states. Then came home and is trying to fit into the world he left.

King writes about many different cultural groups and the way they feel about one another. He mentions the discrimination between whites and the Indians. Westerns seem to play a key role in the novel, depicting the typical opinion of whites and Indians. Americans and Canadians, which I found engaging because I never thought there was a strain between the two countries. King pokes fun at the genders through Alberta's story. Finally he seems to strongly mock Christianity. He weaves parts of Bible stories in his own stories but changes the characters to be rude and selfish. King writes,"That good women makes a garden and she lives there with Ahdamn"(40). Ahdamn is symbolic of Adam and the Garden of Eden. Some of his opinions or mockery of the Christian faith crossed my personal line and made it harder to read.

I was wondering why there was so many references to water in the book. Each story of the beginning states "In the beginning, there was nothing. Just water"(1). When the character's cars go missing there is nothing but a puddle of water. Finally at the end when the dam bursts, which is also the event that brought everyone together.

I was also confused about the character "I". Is this supposed to be a narrator, or is it representing the reader?

All the Indian characters have white first names, why? (Charlie, Eli, Lionel. Norma. Alberta, Harley, Bernice...)

How much of a part does Coyote play in fixing the world, or messing it up? I says, "You are one silly Coyote...no wonder this world is a mess"(262).

King definitely made an impression on me, and I am looking forward to discussing this novel in class to gain a better understanding of the text. I have a lot of questions and I really would like to hear others interpretations of the book.