The Ancient Child juxtaposes Indian lore and Wild West legend into a hypnotic, often lyrical contemporary novel. It is the story of Locke Setman, known as Set, a Native American raised far from the reservation by his adoptive father. Set feels a strange aching in his soul and, returning to tribal lands for the funeral of his grandmother, is drawn irresistibly to the fabled bear-boy.

When he meets Grey, a beautiful young medicine woman with a visionary gift, his world is turned upside down. Here is a magical saga of one man's tormented search for his identity — a quintessential American novel, and a great one. (From Harper Perennial Modern Classics)

N. Scott Momaday is a poet, novelist, artist and teacher who lives in New Mexico. He has a PhD from Stanford University and is a retired Regents Professor at the University of Arizona. He is also the author of House Made of Dawn, Dream Drawings and Earth Keeper.