In this continuation of his spiritual autobiography, Going Native, Harmer shares his search for a deeper knowledge of the earth and its spirits. The memoir is set in the 1980s, when Harmer's nine-to-five town job has taken him away from the close relationship he once shared with his Okanogan Indian friends in the Pacific Northwest. A close brush with death causes him to search out his old friend, Okanogan Indian elder Clayton Tommy Jr. who offers to tutor him in the "old power way." Passages of heavy dialogue sprinkled with Salish words (which are then interpreted) bog the reader down in places, making the first quarter of the book move slowly, but the pacing soon picks up. Harmer excels in his portrayal of contemporary Native American life, traditions, hunting, spirituality and rituals such as the sweat lodge. He also beautifully describes the natural world along the U.S.-Canadian border, which serves as the backdrop for the story. As Harmer trains in his "power," his "spirit partner" leads him to food, shows him things happening in other places and helps him overcome obstacles. He finds that training for power "made life so real and purposeful, I couldn't imagine turning away from it." Woven throughout the book is Harmer's grief over a lost love and a son who died in infancy—memories he must make peace with if he is to move forward. Fans of Harmer's first book and those interested in Native American spirituality should enjoy this further exploration of his experiences. (Sept.)
