The Ecology of the Spoken Word: Amazonian Storytelling and Shamanism among the Napo Runa. Michael A. Uzendoski and Edith Felicia Calapucha-Tapuy. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 2012. 264 pp (original) (raw)

The book explores the storytelling practices of the Napo Quichua people in Ecuador, focusing on the interconnectedness of humans, animals, plants, and places as depicted through their narratives. It emphasizes the aesthetic dimensions of storytelling, employing various analytical techniques to convey the richness of these cultural expressions. Highlighting the challenges and art of translation, the authors examine how to effectively communicate the essence of these storytelling events, including their imagery and performance nuances, while maintaining fidelity to Quichua aesthetics.