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4.34 AVERAGE
4.34 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Although I found it hard to keep track of the family tree, I really liked all the characters in this book. None of them developed much, but we got to learn their stories. The violence was so awful and horrifying, but I think it was an important story to learn about. The racism they faced was subtle and terrible, which I need to know happens in my country too. And I always enjoy learning a little bit more about Aboriginal culture.
This is wildly amazing and also taxing and draining to read at times. What presents as a whodunit crime becomes an exploration of the socioeconomic conditions that would instigate the brutal crime.
There are a lot of content warnings for this, but most predominantly is sexual assault and harm to a 13 year old girl. So, you best be in the mind set for that. While the actual crime is not depicted in extreme detail, it’s centering is reframed from a lot of different perspectives, from privileged racist cop guy to a mother who reports the assault and has to comfort her children shortly after.
It is probably the smartest use of a whodunit, as it directly connects the reader to problems in Canada, such as racism and musing indigenous women. And it does so in such a way that it points to nearly every factor why this could happen. People often weaponize racism as a form of dehumanizing indigenous people, especially on reserves, and cite events like this (as if things like this didn’t happen more often in urban areas regardless, but I digress) as “reasons” and the “problems” on reservations. This completely exposes the generalization and then educates the reader.
It’s really just absolutely stunning, if you’ve got the stomach for it. I will say, I think the narrator does a good job but the themes and characterizations would come together a lot sooner for me had I been reading it, I think.
There are a lot of content warnings for this, but most predominantly is sexual assault and harm to a 13 year old girl. So, you best be in the mind set for that. While the actual crime is not depicted in extreme detail, it’s centering is reframed from a lot of different perspectives, from privileged racist cop guy to a mother who reports the assault and has to comfort her children shortly after.
It is probably the smartest use of a whodunit, as it directly connects the reader to problems in Canada, such as racism and musing indigenous women. And it does so in such a way that it points to nearly every factor why this could happen. People often weaponize racism as a form of dehumanizing indigenous people, especially on reserves, and cite events like this (as if things like this didn’t happen more often in urban areas regardless, but I digress) as “reasons” and the “problems” on reservations. This completely exposes the generalization and then educates the reader.
It’s really just absolutely stunning, if you’ve got the stomach for it. I will say, I think the narrator does a good job but the themes and characterizations would come together a lot sooner for me had I been reading it, I think.
Well written and compelling. At times difficult subject matter - but family love (and dysfunction) is at its core. I had difficulty navigating all the characters as I listened to this on audiobook - but there is apparently a character map/family tree in the physical book.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A story of strong women on the path from trauma to recovery.
Review at The Pluviophile Reader: http://bit.ly/2nprFxB
4/5 stars.
ebook, 269 pages.
Read from March 8, 2017 to March 14, 2017.
Huzzuh! I am nearly done all the shortlisted Canada Reads 2017 books. I think is one of the best selections of books in the last few year (I have been following since 2014) and I know that it is going to be hard for me to select my favourites for the winner. At the rate I am reading I will have all the books read and reviewed before the debates kick off so I will post my thoughts on what I think the top five should be.
It’s winter in Winnipeg and during one cold night a Métis mother named Stella looks out her window to witness a violent assault taking place. Afraid for herself and her children the only thing she can do is call the police. From here the story shifts between narrators, all of whom are connected somehow to the victim of the assault. From the Métis police officer who is not sure how to cope with his Métis identity, to members of Stella’s extensive families, along with their personal histories and individual traumas and pain that they have all had to deal with that are unique to their heritage and upbringing. The narratives string together the real story of the assault that Stella witnessed outside her window and how traumas can change and affect a whole family or community of people overnight.
This book deals with so many tough issues. It discusses with rape culture, Native American and Métis specific cultural issues, as well as topics of identity, family and community. The Native American and Métis characters all struggle with perceptions from the outside world about their race and identity and they come from varying degrees of dysfunctional families. The dysfunction details the realities of growing up poor and different and the tragedies of those that are stuck within a rigid system of expectations.
The women in the book have all dealt with one trauma or another and are intensely strong and resilient, making the book ending overwhelmingly positive and hopeful. While there is no assurance that everything will end up being okay, it emphasises the support of family, community and specifically on other women and how essential that is to heal from the trauma the each individual has faced in the novel.
This book is a phenomenal contender for the winner of Canada Reads 2017. With the question, “What is the one book Canadians need now? “ this book fulfills in answering this question many times over with the multiple topics it breaches. This book outlines rape culture, which is massively important with our neighbours below us stirring the pot politically on feminist topics, as well as discussing and bringing light to the importance of how missing and murdered Native American women are being viewed and treated negatively and are not given the the serious attention that their cause deserves. Additionally, the books ends with hope. That through supporting each other, our backgrounds, identities and communities that a better tomorrow can be attained.
The quality of the writing and character development is superb as the author depicts the realities of living with trauma. I would not recommend this book to people who are sensitive to trauma, especially sexual related traumas, as it does not spare details. It could however prove to be a healing tool for those that are ready to approach it. For everyone else, this is a phenomenal book of trauma and recovery.
Review at The Pluviophile Reader: http://bit.ly/2nprFxB
4/5 stars.
ebook, 269 pages.
Read from March 8, 2017 to March 14, 2017.
Huzzuh! I am nearly done all the shortlisted Canada Reads 2017 books. I think is one of the best selections of books in the last few year (I have been following since 2014) and I know that it is going to be hard for me to select my favourites for the winner. At the rate I am reading I will have all the books read and reviewed before the debates kick off so I will post my thoughts on what I think the top five should be.
It’s winter in Winnipeg and during one cold night a Métis mother named Stella looks out her window to witness a violent assault taking place. Afraid for herself and her children the only thing she can do is call the police. From here the story shifts between narrators, all of whom are connected somehow to the victim of the assault. From the Métis police officer who is not sure how to cope with his Métis identity, to members of Stella’s extensive families, along with their personal histories and individual traumas and pain that they have all had to deal with that are unique to their heritage and upbringing. The narratives string together the real story of the assault that Stella witnessed outside her window and how traumas can change and affect a whole family or community of people overnight.
This book deals with so many tough issues. It discusses with rape culture, Native American and Métis specific cultural issues, as well as topics of identity, family and community. The Native American and Métis characters all struggle with perceptions from the outside world about their race and identity and they come from varying degrees of dysfunctional families. The dysfunction details the realities of growing up poor and different and the tragedies of those that are stuck within a rigid system of expectations.
The women in the book have all dealt with one trauma or another and are intensely strong and resilient, making the book ending overwhelmingly positive and hopeful. While there is no assurance that everything will end up being okay, it emphasises the support of family, community and specifically on other women and how essential that is to heal from the trauma the each individual has faced in the novel.
This book is a phenomenal contender for the winner of Canada Reads 2017. With the question, “What is the one book Canadians need now? “ this book fulfills in answering this question many times over with the multiple topics it breaches. This book outlines rape culture, which is massively important with our neighbours below us stirring the pot politically on feminist topics, as well as discussing and bringing light to the importance of how missing and murdered Native American women are being viewed and treated negatively and are not given the the serious attention that their cause deserves. Additionally, the books ends with hope. That through supporting each other, our backgrounds, identities and communities that a better tomorrow can be attained.
The quality of the writing and character development is superb as the author depicts the realities of living with trauma. I would not recommend this book to people who are sensitive to trauma, especially sexual related traumas, as it does not spare details. It could however prove to be a healing tool for those that are ready to approach it. For everyone else, this is a phenomenal book of trauma and recovery.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence
One of the best books I've read this year. If you get the chance, read it.
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Very confronting but excellent. Captures the different characters so well, and I really like how the characters' arcs aren't all tied up and resolved. It feels very real.
That content warning is not exaggerating. It's handled sensitively, and I particularly like how Emily ultimately tells her own story.
That content warning is not exaggerating. It's handled sensitively, and I particularly like how Emily ultimately tells her own story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Racism, Rape
Moderate: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Death of parent