Fiction

Number9Dream

(1,639 posts) Wed Feb 3, 2016, 02:31 PM Feb 2016

Can I get some thoughts from Tony Hillerman fans? (Spoiler alert)

I've been reading '3 Classic Joe Leaphorn Mysteries' by Tony Hillerman. I decided that these would be a good introduction to Joe Leaphorn. Three mysteries in one volume. I finished "The Blessing Way", and enjoyed it very much. I finished "Dance Hall of the Dead", and though I liked most of it, I think the ending went over my head. Hillerman fans correct me if I'm wrong. The killer (Reynolds) was, in turn, killed by three unknown Zunis(?). Was Reynolds killed because these 3 Zunis somehow discovered that he murdered the Zuni teenager? Or was it because of the Zuni religious sacrilege? Both reasons? I hate endings that leave it up to the reader to guess what happened. Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

Started "Listening Woman". I hope it has a good ending.

10 replies

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Can I get some thoughts from Tony Hillerman fans? (Spoiler alert) (Original Post) Number9Dream Feb 2016 OP

I can't help you because I read those years ago TexasProgresive Feb 2016 #1

A John Lennon song off 'Walls and Bridges' Number9Dream Feb 2016 #2

9 comes a lot with Lennon including his birthday. n/t TexasProgresive Feb 2016 #3

Wish I could help, but it's been over 30 years since I read that one. scarletwoman Feb 2016 #4

Thanks for replying Number9Dream Feb 2016 #5

It's been ages hermetic Feb 2016 #6

Thanks for taking the time to provide links and thoughts Number9Dream Feb 2016 #7

I would gladly help but those were the first Hillerman books I read and quite a while back. Enthusiast Feb 2016 #8

I did all of his - but it was a long time ago SoLeftIAmRight Feb 2016 #9

I think "A Thief Of Time" is an absolute classic. Paladin Feb 2016 #10

TexasProgresive

(12,275 posts)

1. I can't help you because I read those years ago

Reply to Number9Dream (Original post)

Wed Feb 3, 2016, 03:40 PM

Feb 2016

I do have a question for you about your namb, Number9Dream. Is that I reference to the Beatles song "Revolution 9"?

Number 9, number 9, number 9, number 9
Number 9, number 9, number 9, number 9
Number 9, number 9, number 9, number 9
Number 9, number 9, number

Then there's this Welsh rabbit wearing some brown underpants
About the shortage of grain in Hertfordshire
Everyone of them knew that as time went by
They'd get a little bit older and a little bit slower but

It's the only record that we ever got anything out of backwards. "Turn me on, dead man."

Number9Dream

(1,639 posts)

2. A John Lennon song off 'Walls and Bridges'

Reply to TexasProgresive (Reply #1)

Wed Feb 3, 2016, 03:49 PM

Feb 2016

TexasProgresive

(12,275 posts)

3. 9 comes a lot with Lennon including his birthday. n/t

Reply to Number9Dream (Reply #2)

Wed Feb 3, 2016, 04:25 PM

Feb 2016

scarletwoman

(31,893 posts)

4. Wish I could help, but it's been over 30 years since I read that one.

Reply to Number9Dream (Original post)

Wed Feb 3, 2016, 08:51 PM

Feb 2016

I got started on Hillerman in the early 80s, started reading his earliest books in order, and then stayed caught up with each subsequent book he wrote through all the years up to and including his final Leaphorn and Chee book which came out in 2006.

Personally, one of the things I always liked about Hillerman's Leaphorn/Chee books is that he left a little space for ambiguity. To me, that's what made his books so much more than ordinary whodunnits. The real question at the heart of each story is this: Will balance and harmony be restored?

Number9Dream

(1,639 posts)

5. Thanks for replying

Reply to scarletwoman (Reply #4)

Thu Feb 4, 2016, 07:42 AM

Feb 2016

I guess the fact that the murderer got what was coming to him restored the balance (harmony not so much). I'll keep what you said in mind as I read "Listening Woman".

hermetic

(8,604 posts)

6. It's been ages

Reply to Number9Dream (Original post)

Thu Feb 4, 2016, 10:54 AM

Feb 2016

since I last read Hillerman but I plan on reading again soon.

This page links to hundreds of reviews of that book. http://www.fictiondb.com/author/tony-hillerman~dance-hall-of-the-dead~63591~b.htm
I read through a few of them and the general consensus seems to be that the ending is confusing, unsatisfactory, leaves you wondering. If you want to take the time to read through all the reviews you might find some that actually speculate on the meaning, but it would still just be speculation.

Maybe there's an interview out there somewhere with Mr. Hillerman where he discusses it. I Googled and found this which seems to be meant for you (node/9). http://ehillerman.unm.edu/ehillerman/node/9

Number9Dream

(1,639 posts)

7. Thanks for taking the time to provide links and thoughts

Reply to hermetic (Reply #6)

Thu Feb 4, 2016, 01:01 PM

Feb 2016

All of you in the Fiction group are just great.

Enthusiast

(50,983 posts)

8. I would gladly help but those were the first Hillerman books I read and quite a while back.

Reply to Number9Dream (Original post)

Thu Feb 4, 2016, 03:04 PM

Feb 2016

My memory of books is not good anyway. Mrs. Enthusiast on the other hand has an incredible book memory. I'll ask her when she gets home.

The endings in the later Leaphorn-Chee books don't leave us with questions and are generally speaking more satisfying.

SoLeftIAmRight

(4,883 posts)

9. I did all of his - but it was a long time ago

Reply to Number9Dream (Original post)

Sat Feb 6, 2016, 08:36 PM

Feb 2016

for me one was the best

skin walkers I think

Paladin

(28,723 posts)

10. I think "A Thief Of Time" is an absolute classic.

Reply to Number9Dream (Original post)

Sun Feb 14, 2016, 12:51 PM

Feb 2016

I like all the Hillerman books, but that one really impressed me.

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