While the non-linear flow may present some challenges for linear thinkers, it is well worth the pursuit. Tenaya lives in his memories almost as much as in his current world, but it is no wonder considering the traumatic event which affected his family about 12 years ago.
There are plenty of references to Yosemite NP landmarks and rock climbing for people who enjoy outdoor activities.
The main character, Tenaya, is named after an historic person of the Yosemiti tribe who resisted the white incursion.
I tagged this "Native American" even tho the author isn't identified as belonging to a tribe and it is not certain whether Tenaya belongs to a dispersed tribe or if it is just a construct in his father's mind. In any event, there is a minor theme of the conflict between the Miwoks and the Yosemitis (and how the Park Service conflates the 2 separate tribes). Chapters begin with a few paragraphs of the time of the original conflict and coming of the white soldiers. Likely Hoffmeister wrote these, tho he does give acknowledgement at the end to an historic account.
If you enjoyed the premise of Edward Abbey's "Monkeywrench Gang", you'll be cheering in this book, though Tenaya has no specific agenda for halting development in the park but gets carried away at a few moments. In fact, his impulsiveness, his lack of thought about consequences is one of the downsides of this tale for me. After 20? years (time isn't nailed down too firmly, tho he does admit to being 20 near the end)being an outsider observing tourist children & visitors he has one affair after another with 2 women who approach him. Of course, there are repercussions, but by the end I'm willing to believe they were meant to happen. The question of free will is another minor theme. ( )