`Ganado Red' simple, yet emotionally complex

The aim of Susan Lowell's novella Ganado Red (Milkweed Editions,Box 3226, Minneapolis, Minn. 55403, $9.95) is so simple, yet so fullof possibilities, that creative writing teachers may be tempted toborrow it for their classes - to follow the lives that are touched bya single object as it passes out into the world from the hands of itsmaker. In Lowell's case, the object is a finely made Navajo rug, theGanado red of the title, and in her hands the tales that are wovenaround it are as colorful as the rug itself.

"Ganado Red" is the centerpiece of a slender collection ofstories that was chosen by contest judge Phillip Lopate as the winnerof the first Milkweed National …