Native American writer Leslie Marmon Silko attacked The Beet Queen in a 1986 review for failing to represent Native American history and causes and for being interested only in "selfreferential writing." Of the tetralogy's four novels, the action of The Beet Queen seems furthest afield. One good way to open up the content of the novel in a discussion is to see the characters in the book, off reservation Native Americans and whites, as an explanation of alternative kinship and friendship ties to the idea of the tribe.

Of course examining the artistry of the narrative, its gaps and jumps in time, its group of characters rather than its hero or heroine, its point of view and 304 symbolic method, are good topics to examine, but the contrast of white and off-reservation Native American lives needs to be pursued.

1. The Beet Queen contrasts voluntary relationships and formal kinship...