The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is translating "Thirteen Moons," the new book by Charles Frazier.

Frazier and his wife donated $15,000 to the tribe for the project. It is believed to be the first time any new fiction book has been translated into a Native language.

Cherokee elder Myrtle Driver, a fluent speaker, is translating the book, which recalls the forced removal of the Cherokee people. Driver said parts of the story are funnier in Cherokee.

�I think that�s the beauty of it all. This is the most tragic story in the history of the Cherokee people, and this story is going to add some humor and take away some of the pain we still feel,� Driver told The Asheville Citizen-Times.

The book hits the shelves today.

Get the Story:
Eastern Band translates 'Thirteen Moons' (The Asheville Citizen-Times 10/3)
Frazier follow-up taps into Cherokee history (The Asheville Citizen-Times 10/3)

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