Black Sun Rising / La Corazonada

“Gifford wrote this short novel early in his career, envisioning it as a movie in the great tradition of Ford, Hawks, and Peckinpah, but westerns weren't being made then, and the story languished; it is now published for the first time in a bilingual edition. It's a compelling tale on multiple levels, as an action-filled western and an unconventional love story, but especially as a vivid recounting of the fascinating history of the Seminole Indians, the legendary warrior tribe who, forced to evacuate their Florida homeland, united with fugitive slaves from the South called Mascogos to form the first integrated Native American tribe in North America. The action picks up in 1851 as the Seminoles are camped in Mexico, near the Texas-Mexico border, negotiating with the Mexican government to be granted land in the state of Coahuila as their own. But before that can happen, the Seminoles must deal with a band of slave hunters led by former Texas Ranger Cass Dupuy, whose daughter, Teresa, has run off with Sonny Osceola, son of the revered Seminole chief Osceola. Gifford brings his signature noir flair to the story, but also draws effectively on classic western themes, evoking Peckinpah's The Wild Bunch, in particular, while giving life to the moving exodus story of the Seminoles and Mascogos in search of a home. It's not too late for that movie.”

– Bill Ott, Booklist (Starred Review)

“A breezy, cinematic Western, one that's touches on deeper themes of empire and race, but never forgets to be entertaining.”

– Justin Souther, Malaprop's Bookstore

“A noir Western full of heart that explores a unique time in American history, Black Sun Rising / La Corazonada is a book that goes above and beyond an action narrative with historical elements: this is a bilingual book that celebrates diversity while showing Gifford is a master storyteller regardless of the genre or story he decides to tackle. . . As with anything by Gifford, this book is worth a read because it takes adventure and violence and wraps them around characters that feel real, so empathy is almost immediate. The breakneck speed of the narrative and the rich historical details are just icing on the cake. Furthermore, making this a bilingual edition was a great idea that hopefully will bring Gifford to new readers both here and in Mexico, where the book was published by Editorial Almadía. While all the directors Gifford had in mind when he started writing the novel were either dead or retired by the time he had finished it, Black Sun Rising / La Corazonada could easily translate to the big screen, and I hope someone makes it happen. In the meantime, go read it. Gifford is one of the best storytellers of our time.”

– Gabino Iglesias, Southwest Review

“These stories make for one of the most important and moving American bildungsromans of all time.”

– William Boyle, Southwest Review