jlworley's review against another edition
5.0
Hard to read, as in hard on the heart, but beautifully written. Definitely recommended.
wifeslife's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Suicide, Death, Murder, Pedophilia, Rape, Torture, Racism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Emotional abuse, Grief, Kidnapping, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Forced institutionalization, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Death of parent, and Physical abuse
ardentvampire's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
pbmummy's review
5.0
Wow. Emotional, heartwrentching, devastating, uplifting.......beautiful. I wanted more in certain chapters.
lfraire's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Beautiful book about surviving being broken down and building yourself back up to ultimately discover the possibility of recovery. Enjoyed the hockey and the mock memoir aspects of the narrative - both captivating and personal.
labonneville's review
4.0
Une histoire touchante et trop près de la réalité de ce qui a été vécu chez les Ojibwés et autres communautés autochtones vivant au Nord de l’Ontario dans les années 1960. Un livre qui ouvre les yeux et qui nous fait suivre le chemin d’un jeune garçon, Saul Indian Horse.
jinanpaquin's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
I struggle with rating this book properly, as it moved me a lot more than other books that I have given the same rating to in the past.
The story has many different layers, and is extremely easy to read despite some very difficult topics. The only thing that brought this rating under a 4 star for me was the fact that the story was heavily influenced by hockey, and I thought it to be too much so at times. I was expecting a read that focused much more on residential schools, and so was surprised at how immersed into the game of hockey it became.
However, the reasoning behind this becomes very clear at the end of the book, which got me in all my emotions.
All in all, highly recommend this read for anyone who is looking for a better understanding of the history of residential schools in Canada, and the systemic racism that is unfortunately deep-rooted in Canadian culture. I look forward to reading another Wagamese book in the future.
I struggle with rating this book properly, as it moved me a lot more than other books that I have given the same rating to in the past.
The story has many different layers, and is extremely easy to read despite some very difficult topics. The only thing that brought this rating under a 4 star for me was the fact that the story was heavily influenced by hockey, and I thought it to be too much so at times. I was expecting a read that focused much more on residential schools, and so was surprised at how immersed into the game of hockey it became.
However, the reasoning behind this becomes very clear at the end of the book, which got me in all my emotions.
All in all, highly recommend this read for anyone who is looking for a better understanding of the history of residential schools in Canada, and the systemic racism that is unfortunately deep-rooted in Canadian culture. I look forward to reading another Wagamese book in the future.