Rating: 
Summary: This book was not good
Review: I read this book for my "cultural expansion" unit in english my sophmore year. The story was one of cultural stuggle, and generational understanding. The author delt with the topic in a way that tried to make the reader empathize with the main character, but made the character make so many unintellegent decisions that i found it hard to empathize with anyone in the book. This book also tried to portray the native american culture and show how it has decayed over the last few decades. While this is all well and good, the author made me feel as indifferent as a history book for their cause. Do not read this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Confusing!
Review: This book starts out with Rayona, then changes to concentrate on Christina, then changes again and concentrates on Aunt Ida. Each chapter brings you to an abrupt end and leaves you wondering whatever happend to the character. During all of this the author flip-flops from present to past to present again. It was not until I finished the book that I had to stop and put the pieces together to come to a conclusion that made any sense. The reason I rated this book 3 stars is because I thought that the characters were very well described in detail. I must say that the reader cant help but feel a connection with the characters.
Rating: 
Summary: A Story Told by Three Generations
Review: When I first started reading this book and was reading about Rayona's life, I had some very definite thoughts about her Mother. Dorris is a skilled writer - he chose the order he told this story in very specifically. He wanted us to have some pre-conceived notions about each of the characters before he unfolded parts of their story.As the book progressed, I found myself loving it more and more. I became involved with the characters and felt their pain. A Yellow Raft in Blue Water is a well-written book that tells the stories of three generations of women. It is the retelling of the same story from three completely different viewpoints - Rayona, her mother and her grandmother. As the story progresses it becomes much more layered and complex. Nothing is as it first appears to be. I'm looking forward to reading Cloud Chamber!
Rating: 
Summary: Kaleidoscopic views
Review: Three women, a granddaughter, Rayona, mother, Christine, and grandmother, Ida, tell the story of their lives, and at times refer to the same events quite differently, as their perspectives are influenced by their past, their fears and experiences. I wonder if Dorris ever watched the movie Rashomon, by Akira Kurosawa, in which the death of a man is told from 4 different points of view, resulting in a confusing yet rich picture of what had happened. The same thing happens when the three women in the novel talk about those common events. In summary, awesome, awesome narrative; it is terrible that Dorris will not write again. This is a memorable book with a surprising ending.
Rating:
Summary: Enthralled From the First Page
Review: Michael Dorris had my attention from page one. He writes the remarkable story of 3 women whose lives are entwined through generations. Mr. Dorris has written three separate stories that join together through the lives of the three special women he writes about. Rayona begins the journey in the present as she tries to find her identity as a child of mixed blood, Native American and African American. There were times I could feel her confusion and anger as she struggles for her own identity. Christine is Rayona's mother and follows in the second part of our story. She also deals with the need for acceptance which she tries to find through liquor and men. Sadness and personal tragedy appear to be as much a part of Christine's life as breathing is to most of us. Ida is the matriarch of the family and also the third woman who ties our characters together. At times I felt Ida was the strongest of the three women and possibly just a little hard hearted. Needless to say I was proven wrong before the end of the story. Three generations of women, all struggling with the same need for acceptance and love in their lives culminates in a truly moving story of courage. I have often asked myself "What took you so long?" as this book was recommended to me some time ago and I put off reading it time and again.
Rating:
Summary: Slow start, tapering finish.
Review: This book is a pleasant read. I found it to be a swift and easy read, but slightly unfulfilling. Towards the end of the book I felt that the author had just given up the story without actually finishing it tidily. However, to give this book it's due merit I must say that it worked quietly on me to like it, as when I first began reading it I really didn't find myself captivated. It took perhaps close to the end of the section about Rayona for me to fully appreciate the story and the story telling style. In my opinion the major flaw in the book is the authors treatment of Ida. This is the 3rd section of the book, what one may imagine to be the highlight of the story, and to a certain extent I suppose it is, but it is short and fails somewhat to deliver. The author seems to have a lack of sympathy for Ida and this results in her failing to see like a fully realised character. Saying that, I have no qualms whatsoever in recommending this book as it is enjoyable and has an interesting and well written story placed in the unusual format of 3 sections of the book written from the perspectives of the 3 main characters. A friend of mine who loved this book said to me that what she liked best about this book, was that after reading each section your opinion changed on each character, and you grew to understand them much more.
Rating:
Summary: This Raft Shall Float on and on and on and on and on
Review: This book rocked! Well I must say Dorris make not having money look like fun...I know I have a lot but I actuall wanted to loose it all and live on the edge like them. Reading this novel I kept thinking you go girl and kick his butt. This was one of the best books with 3 way sex and discriptive I may add. So it you are one to go on thoes porno sites read this book...you will love it!
Rating:
Summary: A Yellow Raft in Blue Water
Review: Long-held secrets and hidden truths are slowly revealed in this beautifully written book presented in three parts - each told through the eyes of a different generation of strong-willed Native-American women. As the plot of this intricate and emotional story unfolds, the reader gets the full impact of the lives of Rayona, Christine, and Ida - a triangle that is both strong as steel and fragile as glass. This was one of the best novels I have ever read, and would recommend it to older teens and adults of all ages. The impact of this story will stay with the reader for many years after the book is tenderly put away or passed on to an eager friend!
Rating:
Summary: Moving and Powerful
Review: A Yellow Raft in Blue Water is a powerful novel that examines the relationship between a daugher, a mother, and a grandmother. Dorris starts the novel through the perspective of the daughter, Rayona, then to the mother, Christine, and finally to the grandmother, Ida, where it all began. As you read A Yellow Raft In Blue Water you learn and feel the struggles of each woman. Often I found myself thinking, 'that's why' as I progressed through each woman's story and connecting the three. Dorris describes this journey as "...bonding and braiding the three strands of their shared past - and future." Michael Dorris created a novel far more powerful than the struggle of the three women. He illustrated the need for family and how the connection to kin, no matter the circumstance and time lapse, is of great importance. He displayed that in time of need you always go back to the familiar...home. This was a very moving and thought provoking novel to read. I would highly recommend this book to everyone!
Rating:
Summary: Overly sentimental exaggeration of poor people's lives
Review: Currently I am reading this book in my ethnic literature class. I don't like it a single bit. Don't get me wrong, I do like to read books, but this book is about nothing. It describes lives of three women and how they struggle with the problems they face because of their ethnic background and gender. Too many sentimentalities in this book simply bore me. Like a soap opera.
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