Summary

The introduction to Heart Berries is written by Sherman Alexie, a lauded Native American writer who was also Terese Marie Mailhot's professor. He writes that she is "speaking from an ancient place" and describes her as "a generational talent" (xvi). He also describes Heart Berries as more than a memoir, calling it "poetry," "meditation," and full of "hard-earned [...] blue-collar mysticism" (xvii). Alexie believes that Mailhot's work and her talent holds up a metaphorical mirror so that both she and readers can see their inner reflections. Terese is "unafraid" and "wants to 'be torn apart by everything'" (xviii). Alexie believes that "Terese and her stories will put [him] back together" (xviii).

Analysis

Sherman Alexie's introduction acts as both a preview and an advance review for Heart Berries. His high praise of Terese Marie Mailhot, her book, and her writing may pre-shape the reader's impressions of...