Raven Steals the Light

Raven Steals the Light collects traditional Haida myths and stories retold by artist Bill Reid and poet Robert Bringhurst. The book centers on Raven, the trickster figure of Northwest Coast mythology, and his adventures and misadventures across land and sea. The stories follow Raven's role in shaping the world and its inhabitants through his actions, both intentional and accidental. Reid and Bringhurst present these tales in clear prose that maintains the oral traditions' rhythms and cultural significance. The authors bring their artistic backgrounds to the storytelling - Reid through black and white illustrations that punctuate the text, and Bringhurst through careful attention to language and form. The book includes contextual notes about Haida culture and mythology. These retellings explore universal themes of creation, transformation, and the complex relationship between order and chaos. The stories reveal how wisdom and folly often emerge from the same source, as embodied by the paradoxical figure of Raven.

Readers value this collection of Haida myths for Bill Reid's engaging storytelling and Robert Bringhurst's cultural context. Many note how the stories flow naturally while preserving their traditional roots. Likes: - Clean, accessible retellings that maintain authenticity - Detailed notes on Haida culture and mythology - Reid's personal connection to the material - Black and white illustrations complement the text Dislikes: - Some found the academic tone of introductory sections dry - A few readers wanted more stories included - Several mentioned wanting more illustrations Ratings: Goodreads: 4.17/5 (393 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (47 ratings) Notable reader comments: "The stories read like they're being told around a fire" - Goodreads reviewer "Perfect balance between scholarly and entertaining" - Amazon reviewer "I wish there was more artwork throughout" - Goodreads reviewer

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🔸 The book is a collection of Haida myths retold by renowned Haida artist Bill Reid and poet Robert Bringhurst, featuring the iconic trickster figure Raven, who is central to Northwest Coast Indigenous storytelling. 🔸 Bill Reid, one of the book's authors, was a master carver who created some of Canada's most famous sculptures, including "The Spirit of Haida Gwaii," which appears on the Canadian twenty-dollar bill issued between 2004 and 2012. 🔸 The Haida people traditionally passed these stories down orally through generations, and many were at risk of being lost before they were documented and preserved through works like this collection. 🔸 The book's illustrations are inspired by traditional Haida art forms, which use distinctive curved lines, forms, and shapes known as "formline design" - a sophisticated artistic tradition developed over thousands of years. 🔸 The title story, "Raven Steals the Light," is one of the most significant creation myths in Haida culture, explaining how Raven brought light to a dark world by stealing it from a chief who had kept it hidden away in a box.