In the earliest part of the 20th century, Natalie Curtis was on a journey with her brother, documenting music, dance and language of the Navajo, Hopi, and Zuni Tribes. This was in part by hand, and in part through the use of a wax-cylinder phonograph. This was also at a time when many sought to ban such things ... people speaking their own language, singing their own songs, dressing in some sort of traditional fashion ...
Not a lot is known about the historical Natalie Curtis, but some is documented and known. Leading up to, during, and after — this is left greatly to the imagination. And this is where Jane Kirkpatrick steps in with a wonderful work of historical fiction, The Healing of Natalie Curtis. David Fleming speaks with Kirkpatrick about the book, what she did before becoming a writer, and what led to writing the first of 41 books by now.
More at jkbooks.com.
