The Turquoise Ledge

By: Leslie Marmon Silko

Narrated by: Alma Cuervo

Leslie Marmon Silko established herself as “the finest prose writer of her generation” (Larry McMurtry) with her debut novel Ceremony, one of the most acclaimed works of the 20th century. Of mixed Laguna Pueblo, Cherokee, Mexican, and white heritage, Silko brings a unique perspective to her powerful works. In this deeply personal and spiritual book, she combines memoirs, traditional storytelling, and ruminations on the natural world.

©2011 Leslie Marmon Silko (P)2011 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

“…this richly veined, dramatic, and mysterious self-portrait [is] a provocative and numinous memoir…” ( Booklist)

Finally There Was an End

I chose to read this book because I have recently become interested in the history and lives of indigenous people in the US. I had recently listened to Silko’s book, The Ceremony, and thought her memoir would be interesting. And at first it was. She told about her family history and her personal history. Then she tells about moving to Tucson and the focus of the book completely changed. It became more about desert life which was intriguing for awhile. She interwove glimpses of Native American spiritual beliefs and ceremonies. And describes lots and lots and lots about the animals in her life both domestic and wild. One reviewer describes the book as hearing someone read their daily journal. I agree and found it monotonous and tedious. It seemed as if Silko didn’t know what the book was about. In fact, she ends it by saying this seems like a good place to end. And so it ended. I forced myself to finish the listen. The narrator didn’t help matters. Cuervo has a sort of halting style where she hesitates before pronouncing individual words. It is as if she’s reading instead of telling a story or talking naturally. It doesn’t help that the book isn’t written in a style that is conducive to being read out loud. This listen was a long, tedious journey with no destination. But finally there was an end.

Charmed and grateful

I really enjoyed this memoir. The combination of memory, creativity, and lessons on nature, time and experience made me feel as if I was sitting at the kitchen table with a wise, funny and confident friend... there were a couple of times I had the urge to fact check but decided that fact wasn’t the point and let it go and just listen. I’m glad I did.

Deeply reflective and protective in very unique way!

All of natural elements (living and elemental) are written about as fondly as characters while all of the people are more atmospheric in a way that reads as deeply reflective and protective, and truly unique.

The narrative gets a bit strange at times, but

it's a beautifully personal story of the trials and tribulations of dealing with human wretchedness in many different forms.

The Turquoise Ledge

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I bought it before an extended visit to Arizona looking for a native writer’s perspective, her cultural Knowledge of the people and the desert. In my visits to the Four Corners,
I have enjoyed visiting the native reservations and talking with our native peoples. Ms. Leslie Silko combines her descriptions of the natural history of the desert life with her cultural knowledge. I plan to listen to this book again. The narrator is excellent. She brings the author’s book to life.