dancingprince's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Real and necessary.

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micaelamariem's review against another edition

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emotional funny fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

I did not know about the controversy around the author when I picked up this book so this review is solely about the book and not the author.
It was an okay read. Definitely quick and easy to read. I liked the exploration of what it means to be Native American and how the individual is always struggling with the community. There was some stuff that was uncomfortable—I can see why it’s a banned book—and some issues I wish were addressed better than they were, but overall it was an enjoyable read. 

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nrogers_1030's review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring lighthearted sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0


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directorpurry's review against another edition

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emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


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bryelle's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-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

4.5

A teenager boy’s thoughts as he moves through life and major life changes. He tells the story of being a disabled Indigenous boy on the Spokane, WA reservation. 

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elia_elizabeth_'s review against another edition

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dark emotional funny reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75


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justsmileandread's review

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emotional funny inspiring reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0


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vixenreader's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing sad fast-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

4.25

With the allegations against Sherman Alexie, this book may be forever tainted by his legacy. 

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jhbandcats's review

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challenging dark emotional funny informative inspiring reflective sad fast-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

5.0

A devastating semi-autobiographical story of a teenaged Spokane Indian who leaves the reservation to break out of the rez cycle of poverty and alcoholism. 

This book isn’t very long and it’s very funny, and it has short chapters that move really quickly - but it seemed to take me forever to finish it. I’d put it down and then I’d procrastinate rather than reading more. It was because it’s about the most painful story I’ve read in I don’t know how long. It would be sad enough anyway, but the fact that it’s based on Alexie’s experiences makes it heartbreaking. 

I know about Alexie’s sexual abuse of women and the harm that he caused. That infuriates me. For someone so talented and so representative of a minority to take advantage of his position in this way is worse than appalling because it gives a bad name to all in that minority. In addition to my anger, I have mixed feelings about recommending his book. It’s the same with Woody Allen and Roman Polanski movies - how do you separate the reprehensible artist from the spectacular art? Is that even possible? 

I don’t know the answer. I just know that this was a phenomenal book that makes me want to read everything else by Sherman Alexie. 

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kerrygibbons's review

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

5.0


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