Webblog

Dakota Circle, by Tom Isern, is a venture into Plains folklore. The book includes various stories and tales from the Plains. It also includes common stereotypes that are distinct to the Plains; like the need for a winter survival kit. I noticed in the book the Verendrye tablet story, Isern had used this story in his lectures before; it felt like I was reading a transcript from class. Also, the Salem Sue story was interesting, because having grown up in western North Dakota I frequently wondered "what would make a town erect a large Holstein Cow on a hill and it being visible from ten miles away?" From the book, I came to understand that large animal, fish, and human statues are common in small town North Dakota. The book appears to be focused on traits that are distinctly found in the Northern Plains, more exactly in North Dakota. From the people and their traditions to wildlife, Dakota Circle is a literary guide to North Dakota culture.
Overall, this book was really fun to read, I cannot remember the last time reading a book and actually laying it down from laughing too much. I found that many things that Isern wrote about in this book was too familiar in the sense that it made me think of good old times in North Dakota. The book would effect people in small town North Dakota, because some stories bring about old memories. Even some sad stories in the book reminded me of funny things. The best example being the first time I ever saw a live paddlefish and being scared from just the sight of these creatures; it was actually pretty comedic from point of view of others.