kimveach's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
Such a good story - based upon the true fight by the Turtle Mountain band of the Chippewa against the government's plan for the termination of the reservation and support of their people. She brings to life so many different characters and elements of reservation life in the 1950s. I love these characters and hated to leave them when the book ended. I'll be reading more from this author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Colonisation, Kidnapping, Racism, Rape, Trafficking, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual content
Moderate: Drug abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Medical content, and Medical trauma
Minor: Animal death, Death of parent, Grief, and Incest
kylieqrada's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.0
Um ok this just came right out of left field for me and I am so glad it did. I picked this up on a complete whim while scanning a huge chunk of documents at work one day. I've of course heard of Louise Erdrich, but have admittedly been intimidated by her work, which has often been lauded as modern classics. While some of this book definitely did go over my head, I really really enjoyed it!! The main thread of this story, which is based on the author's grandfather, follows Thomas, the chairman of the Turtle Mountain Chippewa Indian Advisory Council, as he works to fight House Resolution 108, which sought to terminate Indian tribes and end treaties put into place in perpetua by the U.S. government in recompense for the theft of Native lands. The story is gorgeously written, and in being told from a range of different perspectives, gives an in-depth look into life on the reservation in the 1950s. I learned alot, and would have given this 5 stars except for one scene that was just not my cup of tea.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Dementia, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Gore, Grief, Medical content, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, Racism, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Xenophobia, Addiction, Animal cruelty, Kidnapping, and Trafficking
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