I Heard the Owl Call My Name

Written by Margaret Craven

Narrated by Frank Muller

The touching story of a young, mortally ill priest who spends his last days working among the Kwakiutl Indians of British Columbia. Amid the grandeur of the remote Pacific Northwest stands Kingcome, a village so ancient that, according to Kwakiutl myth, it was founded by the two brothers left on earth after the great flood. The Native Americans who still live there call it Quee, a place of such incredible natural richness that hunting and fishing remain primary food sources. But the old culture of totems and potlatch is being replaces by a new culture of prefab housing and alcoholism. Kingcome's younger generation is disenchanted and alienated from its heritage. And now, coming upriver is a young vicar, Mark Brian, on a journey of discovery that can teach him-and us-about life, death, and the transforming power of love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Apr 6, 2012
• ISBN: 9781464044311

Margaret Craven

Margaret Craven was born in Helena, Montana and graduated from Stanford University. Her debut novel, I Heard the Owl Call My Name, was first published in Canada in 1967. The American edition of the book has sold over one million copies and was translated into several languages. She also wrote a novel,Walk Gently This Good Earth, an autobiography, Again Calls the Owl, and a collection of stories, The Home Front. She died in 1980.

Reviews for I Heard the Owl Call My Name

[tripleblessings_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This well-known Canadian novel was very popular in the 1970s. Craven writes very beautiful and moving descriptions of a remote BC coastal indian village, the rhythm of the seasons of hunting and fishing, their traditions and legends, and how their way of life was changing in the early 20th century (the story is set around 1912). Mark, a young priest (Anglican or Catholic?) is sent by the bishop to live in the village of Kingcomb, many hours by boat north of Vancouver, and to care for the people in a widespread community. Gradually he adapts to the first nations people and earns their respect and friendship, and comes to love the culture and the land at the edge of the river and the sea. The people are troubled, as their youth go away to residential school and some move away to the city, changing forever. I wondered if this book, written in 1973 before the residential schools lawsuits and treaty rights court cases, might be limited by a romanticized vision of the native way of life, and a paternalistic idealized view of the role of the white men, government and the church. However it is not so easily stereotyped and dismissed. The bishop and priests are aware of their society's flaws and their own limitations. The RCMP and other white visitors (including a lady anthropologist and a teacher) are shown to be arrogant and ignorant of the people's needs. The Indians have their own problems including issues with alcohol, sexual abuse and violence, which are not easily solved. The simple life in the village is portrayed as an ideal, while shown at the same time to be fading away, and the people know that their way of life will disappear in one or two more generations. So the tone of the book is both celebratory, loving, and nostalgic and sad. In communion with the natural world, the priest and the people find peace, accept hardships and tragedies with dignity, and prepare for death. There is an interesting harmony and balance between the traditional beliefs and the Christian faith.Overall, a very good read, with lots to reflect over.

[auntmarge64 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

In 1960s British Columbia, Mark, a young ordinand, is sent as vicar to a remote group of Indian villages on the upper coast. He doesn't know that the bishop has been informed that Mark is fatally ill and that he is being sent to learn from the Indians and prepare to die. As Mark slowly makes his way among a people strange to him, he finds that the quiet life among the fishing towns he services grounds him, and the Indians slowly accept him and make him one of their own.This book is a gem and reminded me of Willa Cather at her best. Yes, it's sad, and that is known from the first page, but the unfolding of the story leaves the reader feeling a bit blessed herself.

[Christine Hatchard · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The most engrossing and moving story I have read in a long time!

[reeread · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A poignant and gentle story of a priest appointed to a remote British Columbian village of native Indians. He learns about life, death, survival, language and customs as he becomes accepted by the people he ministers to.

[kirconnell · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I first heard about this book when traveling to Colorado. It was in a rack of audiobooks for rent in a convenience store we stopped at. The blip on the back sounded interesting and I have been meaning to read it ever since. I'm glad that I did. It is a simple story of a young, dying priest who is sent to minister to an Indian tribe in remote British Columbia. The tales of his failures and successes among them is most touching and sweet. It brings to mind what should really be important in this life.

[brianinbuffalo · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

While I'm no environmental Neanderthal, I just didn't get into Craven's widely acclamed book. As thin a volume as it is, I just wasn't motivated to finish it.

[joririchardson · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A beautiful and tragic story about some of the last traditional Native American Indians. This book is sad, while still hopeful for the future.The author herself actually lived with the Indian tribe she is writing about, and the rich detail in which she illustrates their culture is apparent and fascinating.(This is random, but I thought I would say...) My favorite character was that of Jim, a young Indian who stubbornly insists that he will marry his sweetheart, even when she is engaged to someone else.I also liked how this story is different from the usual Native American and English relations book. The white men were not portrayed as evil or good. But, even more unusual, the Indians were not described as entirely innocent victims, either.However, for all the things I loved about this book, I still probably would not buy it. While eloquent, I thought it a bit boring as well.Not exciting - but still an epic Native American classic.

[adreese · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

it is very rish book, even though it was sad from the beginning untill the end.

[francescadefreitas · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A tiny, beautiful picture of a village and a man on the edge of change. The depiction of the seasons and landscape of coastal BC are stunning.

[diane · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Narrator voice was very clear and easy to follow. every character truly came alive. great job!!

[drronmccoy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a best seller at the time, but I would be really interested to hear how people think about it these days. It is a very interesting contemporary view of the situation, but fortunately these have progressed since this time. Well written, beautifully read, but I do believe the views if the church are very wring here.