The Longest Story Ever Told: Qayaq, The Magical Man

The story of Qayaq is one of the most enduring legends of Alaskan folklore, and now this second edition of the text by Emily Ivanoff Brown presents the myth for the modern reader in vivid detail. Qayaq recounts the epic tale of the hero Qayaq as he leaves his home in Siilvik Lake and journeys across northern Alaska and Canada. Talking animals, supernatural gods, and Qayaq’s many adventures weave together in this lyrical oral narrative, which took days or even weeks for actual tribal storytellers to recite. Enhanced with a new scholarly introduction, Qayaq is a masterpiece of Alaska folklore that shares the richness of Eskimo literary heritage.