In 2006, a young Japanese hiker was brutally murdered near Supai village in the Grand Canyon. I have always been haunted by that story, and the killer who ran free for so long. I heard author Annette McGivney speak about her related book, Pure Land at the Tucson Festival of Books and I couldn't get that out of my mind either. Her book was sold out at the Festival, so I made the long wait getting it through our public library.
Whew! What an engaging and surprising read. As one would expect from an accomplished adventurer and journalist, it's a meticulous rendering of the lives of seeker Tomomi Hanamure and her teenage murderer, Randy Wescogame. In addition, it's a telling of McGivney's own deep, personal journey of traumatic stress. McGivney's research provided her with personal and historical perspectives to help us understand both the victim and her perpetrator. The spirit captured from Hanamure's diaries is bittersweet, knowing her violent end. But it prepares us for her final words spoken to Wescogame as he stabbed her to death "I respect you."
Hanamure was fascinated by America's beauty and particularly, Native American culture. We learn of her many visits and special interactions throughout the country. Those many magical adventures are balanced by the oppressive history of the Havasupai people, and of the realities of a declining community in Supai village.
If you're looking for a gripping, meaningful read, this may be the next book for you!
Whew! What an engaging and surprising read. As one would expect from an accomplished adventurer and journalist, it's a meticulous rendering of the lives of seeker Tomomi Hanamure and her teenage murderer, Randy Wescogame. In addition, it's a telling of McGivney's own deep, personal journey of traumatic stress. McGivney's research provided her with personal and historical perspectives to help us understand both the victim and her perpetrator. The spirit captured from Hanamure's diaries is bittersweet, knowing her violent end. But it prepares us for her final words spoken to Wescogame as he stabbed her to death "I respect you."
Hanamure was fascinated by America's beauty and particularly, Native American culture. We learn of her many visits and special interactions throughout the country. Those many magical adventures are balanced by the oppressive history of the Havasupai people, and of the realities of a declining community in Supai village.
If you're looking for a gripping, meaningful read, this may be the next book for you!
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