THE WHITE DAWN: An Eskimo Saga

by James Houston ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 21, 1971

Based on a real incident in the 1890's, Houston's quietly effective account of a family destroyed by the very presence of three friendly white house guests points no finger; rather it demonstrates the corrosive power of small changes in such a society. The three lost whalers are brought back to camp by Sarkak, the camp leader, who expects no more for his generosity than the glamour of hosting such strange beings. Their infractions of tradition are politely tolerated by the Eskimos, among whom visitors and children are customarily indulged; but the outsiders are unable to appreciate the basis of the latitudes allowed them, fail to understand how they ought to reciprocate, and proceed without fully realizing it to redefine the community around them. Easy native games are revised into competitive sport, sexual and work relationships are altered, and of course alcohol is introduced -- but the most telling conflict comes between Sarkak and the best of the whalers, Kakuktak, whom he has adopted and to whom the relation of son to father means something devastatingly different. Told from the Eskimo point of view with considerable knowledge and the greatest sympathy, this makes a fragile culture readily, readably accessible.

Pub Date: April 21, 1971

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1971

Categories: FICTION