Rebecca Clarren Libros

The narrative explores the complex history of land ownership in South Dakota, focusing on the author's Jewish ancestors, the Sinykins, who immigrated from Russia and settled on land taken from the Lakota people. Through a blend of investigative reporting and personal reflection, the author examines the legacy of violence and dispossession faced by Indigenous communities, questioning the moral implications of benefiting from such oppression. This work invites readers to confront their roles in this historical context and consider paths toward reconciliation and justice.

Set against the backdrop of the contemporary American West, this novel explores a family's emotional and physical battle to maintain their land amidst the encroaching threat of fracking. With a focus on resilience and the deep connections to the land, it resonates with readers who appreciate the works of Kent Haruf and E Annie Proulx. The narrative delves into themes of environmental conflict and familial bonds, highlighting the personal stakes involved in the fight for their home.

By the time the Sinykins moved to South Dakota, America had broken hundreds of treaties with hundreds of Indigenous nations across the continent, and the land that had once been reserved for the seven bands of the Lakota had been diminished, splintered, and handed for free, or practically free, to white settlers.