To Rosalie Swedlin, I sing an honor song for her guidance.
And, of course, to my mother and siblings for loving my stories even when they probably reveal too many family secrets.
And most of all, I want to thank my wife, Diane, and my sons, Joseph and David. It’s hard to live with a writer but they manage to survive me with beauty and grace. I cherish them.
CONTENTS
Table of Contents
Blasphemy
Also by Sherman Alexie
Title Page
Copyright © 2012 by FallsApart Productions, Inc.
Dedication
Contents
Cry Cry Cry
Green World
Scars
The Toughest Indian in the World
War Dances
This is What it Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona
Midnight Basketball
Idolatry
Protest
What Ever Happened to Frank Snake Church?
The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven
The Apporximate Size of My Favorite Tumor
Indian Country
Because My Father Always Said He Was the Only Indian Who Saw Jimi Hendrix Play “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Woodstock
Scenes from a Life
Breakfast
Night People
Breaking and Entering
Do You Know Where I Am?
Indian Education
Gentrification
Fame
Faith
Salt
Assimilation
Old Growth
Emigration
The Search Engine
The Vow
Basic Training
What You Pawn I Will Redeem
Acknowledgments
Blasphemy Page 39