Miraculous Magic: Elissa Washuta Elissa Washuta is a Native American writer known for her compelling memoir, "My Body Is a Book of Rules." In this deeply personal and raw account, Washuta explores her experiences growing up as a member of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe in the Pacific Northwest. She delves into her struggles with mental health, addiction, and sexual assault, while also examining the intersections of her identity as a Native woman navigating a predominantly white society. One of the central themes in Washuta's work is the transformative power of storytelling and the ability to reclaim one's narrative. Through her writing, she seeks to challenge and disrupt existing narratives about Native people and their histories. Washuta reclaims her own story, refusing to be defined solely by trauma or the limited stereotypes often associated with Native Americans.
The most incredible memoir.
— Liberty Hardy, All the Books podcast - BookRiot
The conversation with the reader is sometimes direct, as happens in one of the many wild footnotes that accompany a few of the also numerous epigraphs. She interlaces stories from her forebears with cultural artifacts from her own life TwinPeaks, the Oregon Trail II video game, a Claymation Satan, a YouTube video of Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham to explore questions of cultural inheritance and the particular danger, as a Native woman, of relaxing into romantic love under colonial rule.
Washuta reclaims her own story, refusing to be defined solely by trauma or the limited stereotypes often associated with Native Americans. Instead, she celebrates and explores the complexity and richness of her cultural heritage. In "My Body Is a Book of Rules," Washuta employs a nonlinear narrative structure, blending personal experiences with historical and cultural references.
White Magic: Book summary and reviews of White Magic by Elissa Washuta
Throughout her life, Elissa Washuta has been surrounded by cheap facsimiles of Native spiritual tools and occult trends, "starter witch kits" of sage, rose quartz, and tarot cards packaged together in paper and plastic. Following a decade of abuse, addiction, PTSD, and heavy-duty drug treatment for a misdiagnosis of bipolar disorder, she felt drawn to the real spirits and powers her dispossessed and discarded ancestors knew, while she undertook necessary work to find love and meaning.
In this collection of intertwined essays, she writes about land, heartbreak, and colonization, about life without the escape hatch of intoxication, and about how she became a powerful witch. She interlaces stories from her forebears with cultural artifacts from her own life―Twin Peaks, the Oregon Trail II video game, a Claymation Satan, a YouTube video of Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham―to explore questions of cultural inheritance and the particular danger, as a Native woman, of relaxing into romantic love under colonial rule.
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"A fascinating magic trick of a memoir that illuminates a woman's search for meaning." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Washuta recounts her struggles with sobriety, relationships, and the 'tyrannical rule' of PTSD in her life. Fans of the personal essay are in for a treat." - Publishers Weekly
"Powerful. Washuta's essays refuse the mandate of a tidy resolution. Instead she circles around each subject, inspecting it as symbol, myth, metaphor, and reality, all while allowing her readers space to draw their own conclusions, or to reject the need for any conclusion at all. Like a stage magician, she asks readers to look again. White Magic is an insightful, surprising, and eloquent record of stories of magic and the magic in stories." - Booklist
"Washuta's story and struggles become a metaphor for the toll of colonialism on generations of Indigenous people like herself. Readers of recovery narratives, women's issues, and keenly observed social commentary will be rewarded here." - Library Journal
"[White Magic] is unlike any other book out there and will certainly launch Washuta's meteoric rise." - BookPage
"In this incantatory, impassioned book of essays, Elissa Washuta offers readers a glimpse into a world of magic and spirituality. Washuta's essays interlace themes of inheritance, loss, colonialism, identity, and ownership to beautiful, heart-aching effect in this, yes, wholly magical look at learning how to recognize the power that rests within you." - Refinery29
"Washuta's frank confrontations with, and acknowledgments of, unhealed wounds are validating. evoking the sense of peeling open a letter from an estranged friend. A poignant work by a rising essayist." - Foreword Reviews
"White magic, red magic, Stevie Nicks magic―this is Elissa Washuta magic, which is a spell carved from a life, written in blood, and sealed in an honesty I can hardly fathom." - Stephen Graham Jones, author of The Only Good Indians
"White Magic is funny and wry, it's thought-provoking and tender. It's a sleight of hand performed by a true master of the craft. White Magic is magnificent and Elissa Washuta is spellbinding. There is no one else like her." - Kristen Arnett, author of Mostly Dead Things
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Comparing multilayered narratives to onions can be an effective way of communicating that they possess various levels and many elements that work together simultaneously.
This approach mirrors the fragmented nature of memory and highlights the ways in which personal stories are shaped by larger forces. By weaving together her own experiences with broader social and historical contexts, Washuta illustrates the interconnectedness of individual and collective histories. Washuta's writing is characterized by vivid and evocative descriptions, often drawing on symbolism and metaphor. This lyrical style adds an additional layer of depth to her storytelling, inviting readers to engage with her experiences on a visceral level. Through her words, Washuta creates a sense of intimacy and connection, even when discussing difficult and painful subject matter. Throughout her work, Washuta emphasizes the importance of community and solidarity in healing and reclaiming one's identity. She acknowledges the ways in which colonialism and historical trauma have affected Native communities, but also highlights the resilience and strength of Indigenous peoples. By sharing her own journey, Washuta offers a message of hope and empowerment, encouraging others to embrace their own stories and reclaim their narratives. In conclusion, Elissa Washuta's memoir "My Body Is a Book of Rules" is a powerful testament to the transformative power of storytelling and the importance of reclaiming one's narrative. Through her raw and evocative writing, Washuta challenges existing narratives about Native peoples, offering a nuanced and complex portrayal of her own experiences. Her work serves as a reminder of the strength and resilience of Indigenous communities and the healing potential found in reclaiming one's identity..
Reviews for "The Intersection of Miraculous Magic and Feminism in Elissa Washuta's Literature"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Miraculous magic elissa washuta". The stories felt disjointed and scattered, making it difficult to follow along. I didn't connect with any of the characters, and the themes explored were not compelling enough to hold my interest. Overall, I found the book to be confusing and lacking in substance.
2. Emily - 1 star - I couldn't finish "Miraculous magic elissa washuta". The writing style was pretentious and overly experimental, which made it difficult to engage with the stories. The author seemed more concerned with showcasing their writing skills rather than telling a cohesive narrative. I found myself struggling to connect with the material, and ultimately gave up on it.
3. David - 2 stars - "Miraculous magic elissa washuta" was a disappointing read for me. The stories lacked depth and failed to evoke any emotional response. The characters felt one-dimensional and the plotlines were uninteresting. I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations.
4. Sarah - 3 stars - While I appreciate the unique perspective that "Miraculous magic elissa washuta" offers, I found it to be a challenging read. The author's writing style is dense and requires a lot of effort to understand. The stories felt disjointed and at times, it was difficult to discern what was happening. Overall, I can see the appeal for some readers, but it just wasn't for me.