WINDY STORIES
Storytelling Traditions from the Salmon River Idaho
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About the Book
This collection of homegrown stories, transcribed in poetic format, reflects life along the Salmon River Valley, Idaho at the turn of the century. Delightful and timeless, Windy Stories tells the tales through the storytellers’ eyes. This combination of stories and photos conveys a sense of these pioneers and their beloved place.
“An impressive publication, long in preparation, deep in its analysis of the relationship of the story-tellers to their setting, its history, to each other. History buffs will see unusual slants on historic events in the unadorned narration of children of homesteaders of Idaho. This book has a place in every public library.”
—Kenneth Clark PhD, University of Indiana
“A significant contribution to research into the processes and productions of oral narration. Folklorist Bennett is well equipped to classify and analyze both text and contexts of tales. The materials appear well-organized, well-written and amply illustrated. The beliefs expressed are pleasurable insights into the traditions of informants. Anyone who has floated on or backpacked into the Salmon River ought to
like the humor. Parts of the book are really funny.”
—Dr. Louie Attebery, College of Idaho
“Driving thru spots like the Salmon River Valley one wonders about the folks who live in those barren hills. Marjorie Bennett stopped and asked ‘any good storytellers around here.’ She turned up 6 women and 4 men willing to share a core of community tales about their barren but beloved territory. Here are the tales in their words, wrapped in her gentle chat with brief analysis of their telling styles. Windy Stories is as engaging as a novel. Storytellers, folklorists, and anyone looking for a good read will enjoy it.”
—Dr. Margaret Read MacDonald, author of Scipio Storytelling: Talk in a Southern Indiana Community.
About the Author
Dr. Marjorie H. Bennett earned a PhD in folklore with an emphasis on Northwest oral narratives from the University of Washington. She is a retired teacher and has served as a school folklorist for the Washington and Idaho State Arts Commissions. Bennett is an accomplished folksinger and storyteller.