73 pages • 2 hours read
Leslie Marmon SilkoCeremony
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1977A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In Leslie Marmon Silko's Ceremony, Tayo, a young Laguna Pueblo veteran, struggles with alienation and isolation in post-WWII America, compounded by PTSD. Seeking healing, Tayo turns to traditional Laguna Pueblo legends and ceremonies. With the help of Betonie, a medicine man, and Ts’eh, a mysterious woman, Tayo embarks on a journey to reclaim stolen cattle, restore balance, and confront personal and communal traumas. This novel contains material that might be upsetting to some readers: alcohol addiction, post-traumatic stress disorder, physical violence, sexual violence, torture, ableism, anti-Indigenous slurs, and anti-unhoused and anti-Indigenous biases.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Leslie Marmon Silko's Ceremony intertwines Native American traditions with modern struggles, earning praise for its rich storytelling and deep cultural insights. While commendable for its lyrical prose and complex characters, some readers find its nonlinear structure challenging. Overall, it stands out as a profound exploration of identity and healing, meriting its acclaim despite its demanding narrative style.
Who Should Read Ceremony?
A reader who enjoys Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko is likely interested in Native American culture and post-war trauma. They may also appreciate deep, lyrical prose and complex storytelling as seen in works like Louise Erdrich's Love Medicine or Sherman Alexie's The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsLexile Level
890L