Window

Window follows Ray, a teen living in New Hampshire who begins working as an assistant in a photography studio. Through learning the technical craft of processing and developing film, he gains new perspectives on both art and life. Ray's relationship with his mother is strained after his father's departure, and he finds a mentor in his employer Artie. Meanwhile, he observes the dynamics of other families who come to the studio and begins documenting his own world through a camera lens. The story tracks Ray's growth over one pivotal year as he navigates school, family tensions, first love, and his emerging identity as a photographer. His discoveries in the darkroom parallel his expanding understanding of truth and perspective. This coming-of-age novel explores themes of perception versus reality, the power of images to reveal and conceal, and how art can transform both artist and viewer. Through Ray's experiences, the narrative considers what it means to truly see and be seen.

Many readers found Window a challenging and introspective novel that explores Native American identity and family bonds. Amazon and Goodreads reviews highlight Dorris's nuanced handling of adoption themes and cultural displacement. Readers praised: - Complex character development - Authentic portrayal of Native communities - Thoughtful exploration of belonging - Strong parent-child dynamics Common criticisms: - Slow pacing - Dense, sometimes difficult prose - Multiple narrative perspectives that some found confusing - Abrupt ending that left questions unanswered Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (127 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (43 ratings) One reader noted: "The writing rewards patience - stick with it and the emotional payoff is worth it." Another commented: "The shifting viewpoints made it hard to connect with the characters initially, but by the end I was invested in their stories."

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🔹 Michael Dorris was the first single Native American man to adopt a child in the United States when he adopted his son Abel in 1971. 🔹 The character of Rayona in "Window" was partly inspired by Dorris's own adopted children and their experiences navigating both Native American and non-Native worlds. 🔹 The novel is part of a trilogy that includes "A Yellow Raft in Blue Water" and "Cloud Chamber," each telling interconnected stories from different perspectives. 🔹 Prior to becoming a novelist, Dorris founded the Native American Studies Program at Dartmouth College in 1972. 🔹 The book explores themes of identity and belonging through multiple cultural lenses, drawing from Dorris's personal experience as someone of mixed Irish and Modoc Native American heritage.