Louis Owens (1948-2002) achieved worldwide recognition with his humorous and fearless novels that explored themes close to Owens's own upbringing as a mixed-blood Choctaw, Cherokee, and Irish-American. His critical works were equally substantive. Readers of his criticism find his work challenging, and casual readers find his fiction highly enjoyable--a remarkable combination that speaks well of Owen's intellectual and creative abilities. In this new collection of essays, editor Jacquelyn Kilpatrick and eleven other contributors examine Owens's fiction and nonfiction from widely varying viewpoints to address issues such as identity, place, literary theory, trickster motifs, and the environment. Also included is the last interview Owens gave, appearing in print for the first time, which provides insights into this complex man's personal life.