|
In this mystery-adventure novel, “Magic Lance,” author Hal Simmons presents a collision of forces: the dream of a casino-enriched Indian tribe to form a Native American State, and the dream of a small landowner named Lance Burnett to live the traditions of the West. The tribe’s land ambitions send hot signals all the way to Washington, D.C. Powerful politicians, a billionaire landholder, environmentalists and anti-gambling groups join the fray. “Magic Lance” is more than an exciting read. It s an inside look at the complex worlds of tribal gambling casinos and Indian country land rights. Besides, it is beautifully written.
Magic Lance: Mystery & Adventure in the New West
Hal Simmons
Clear Light Publishing (2008)
ISBN 9781574160949
Reviewed by Olivera Baumgartner-Jackson for Reader Views (10/08)
When I was a child, nothing fascinated me more than reading about Indians. It did not matter to me whether the stories were true or fiction, and even less if they were based in North, South or Central America. My fascination with the proud Indians was boundless, and I was immensely disappointed to have learned how few of them survived and what appalling conditions most of them are living in nowadays. In a true serendipity moment I made my first visit to an Indian reservation just this past week, seeing some of the Cherokee Indians in North Carolina, and talking to one of them about the current “state of affairs,” including the casinos, land ownership and more. Therefore I found “Magic Lance” by Hal Simmons even more interesting.
“Magic Lance” is both a fun adventure story and a very insightful story about what happens if the “old ways” get forgotten or simply ignored. The main frame of the story is the planned land acquisition by several Indian tribes trying to get enough land to form an independent Native American state. The casinos provided them with enough money to do so, but they will have to be crafty enough so that their plan will not be discovered too soon and the acquisitions questioned and stopped. One of the ranches that they desire to buy is owned by Lance Burnett’s family. Lance is a typical small rancher, struggling with the economic issues he’s facing on a daily basis, but determined to keep the ranch and stay true to the way of life that is slowly becoming extinct. In addition to the economic troubles he’s facing, Lance is also torn between two fetching females: his wife Jan, who is deeply troubled by the isolation of the ranch life, and the gorgeous and very warm blooded manager of the neighboring ranch, Lightning. Making the whole story even more interesting is Lance’s discovery of what could potentially be the long-lost silver mine of significant importance and the possible curse linked to it.
What made the story especially appealing to me were author’s insights into the way casinos changed the life of the Native American tribes and descriptions of some of the traditions they used to observe. Some of my favorite pages were actually those describing Lucky Joe and his family setting camp on Lance Burnett’s land, as well as those talking about the selection of the new cacique. I felt that the author did a lot of research, and he certainly approached sensitive subjects with compassion.
I would highly recommend “Magic Lance” by Hal Simmons to anybody who enjoys a good adventure story, and even more to those readers who are keen to learn more about the intricate matters involving tribal affairs.
|
