Sun Dancer

Modern-day Sioux Indians take back their ancient land in London's sturdy first novel. Narrator Joey Moves Camp has doubts about the old ways, although he speaks Lakota and pierced his flesh and did the sun dance before leaving for his tour in Vietnam. When Joey's mother dies, Joey watches his half-brother, Clement Blue Chest, begin a spiritual transformation from bitter, self-pitying drunk to tribal holy man. Joey clarifies his own beliefs as well, as he helps Clem lead their neighbors to reclaim the ""sacred"" Black Hills by force, including an occupation of Mt. Rushmore, and to reveal their history of betrayal and injustice to the American people. London writes with authority and vividness of various Lakota Sioux ceremonies and rituals. He's not shy about taking sides, but if his portrayals of the novel's villains--FBI agents, meddling missionaries and racist cattlemen--tend toward caricature, his look at the assortment of characters, factions and philosophies on the local reservation is convincingly nuanced. Despite occasional preachiness, this is an intelligent, sure-handed debut, told with passion and skill. Author tour. (July)