In the third novel in the Booker Series, published in 1999, a Pueblo baby is adopted and raised in the Anglo world.
In middle age, he discovers his ancestry and attempts to reconnect with his tribe. Booker, an Anglo honored by tribal traditionals, plays an important role in restoring the confused man to his culture. Based on thousands of cases of controversial Indian adoptions circa 1945-1976, this book documents the experience and psychology of cultural loss. The narrative provides a vivid literary vision of the stolen birthright of a Native American and his journey to reclaim it. In parallel plots, Booker is visited by his estranged son and daughter, and the Vegas showgirls, Sue and Debbie, become residents of Santa Fe and develop a dancing school with Booker as their surrogate father and houseguest.
Reviews
“Monty Joynes, an “anglo,” (also the name of one of the main characters) presents an insightful novel on the intuitive consciousness vs. the rational, and how these modes play out in the human drama between Native American and white materialist cultures. “What could be the evolutionary purpose in such radical psychological differences?” asks Joynes.
Joynes writes with a refreshing humility, seemingly aware that he is a white man from a white culture. He has to change his consciousness to authentically touch the repressed side of his own heart and mind in order to write about an Indian culture with integrity, understanding, and real respect. By writing this story, he is able to harmonize the two distinct aspects of perception shown by two clashing cultures, creating a new myth of synthesis that could have major healing effects on individual, cultural, and archetypal levels.” Paul Amero, Magical Blend
“We walk with respect around this man, even if he’s white,” says one Pueblo man to another in SAVE THE GOOD SEED by Monty Joynes. The white man they speak of is Booker Washington Jones, once Winn Conover a.k.a. Anglo Who Became Chief Old Woman’s Son, recently relocated to living in New Mexico among Pueblo compatriots. In meeting August (“Ray”) Rey, a “Lost Bird” dissociated from his Pueblo people when he was “adopted” into white society 44 years before, readers are brought close to both sides of the alienation issue. Facts of our government’s anti-Native American history flesh out their story.
SAVE THE GOOD SEED is also about the touching parallel development of two middle-aged men finally finding themselves at home in a culture completely different from the one in which they were raised. The warmth of this moving tale offers us the opportunity to actually share in the exquisite joy and solidarity of the Pueblo people coming together to live out their mission: “In every moment, person or object, is an opportunity for connection. Our role is to be aware of the potential and bring it into realization.”
Heidi Rain, New England Spirit of Change Magazine
Monty Joynes 