House Made of Dawn Summary

After his service in World War II, Abel comes back to his rural hometown in New Mexico in 1945. He stays with his grandfather Francisco, a farmer, and gets to know a young white woman named Angela, who he meets through the local priest, Father Olguin. His time back home brings back a flood of memories regarding his family and his past. Angela and Abel begin an affair, taking part in various local traditions and ceremonies. However, after a particular celebration involving a bull chase and traditional rituals, Abel, in an apparently inexplicable act, murders an albino man.

Years later, Abel is released from prison and placed under an Indian Relocation program in Los Angeles. He starts working at a factory where he befriends Ben Benally who offers to share his apartment. During his stint in Los Angeles, Abel is severely beaten and left nearly dead on a beach, an incident that rekindles his memory of Milly, a social worker who spent time with him and Ben and eventually became his lover. In stark contrast to Abel's exhausting day-to-day life are the compelling sermons delivered by the Priest of the Sun, John Big Bluff Tosamah, detailing the stories of the Kiowa people.

In the later section of the story, Abel leaves for New Mexico, promising Ben to meet someday to sing the ceremonial song "House Made of Dawn." After losing his job, Abel's life spirals out of control, leading to increased alcohol dependence and aggression, and eventually a brutal fight with Ben. Abel disappears, and when he reappears three days later, he is severely beaten. Soon after, Abel returns to his hometown where he finds his grandfather on the brink of death. Following Francisco's death, Abel participates in a ceremonial race, an act symbolizing his ongoing struggle and resilience.