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charlieeee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Alcoholism and Pedophilia
Minor: Rape, Suicide, and Religious bigotry
julienicole1106's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Excrement, Grief, Cultural appropriation, Abandonment, and Alcohol
lynneliu's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Genocide, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, and Alcohol
Moderate: Confinement, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, and Abandonment
Minor: Mental illness and Death of parent
ursa_mary's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Racism, Sexual violence, and Violence
Moderate: Pedophilia and Blood
whatcassiedid's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Suicide, Religious bigotry, and Colonisation
tlaynejones's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Racism, Violence, Forced institutionalization, and Abandonment
Moderate: Alcoholism and Pedophilia
mariaejike's review against another edition
- 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
The book made me very emotional, all the twists were shocking. I never expected any of them.
But it was a learning experience. To know how Residential schools worked and how it affects children who attended there like Saul.
In general it is an Amazing book, honestly one of the best I’ve read.
If you’re wondering if you should read it then YESSSS.
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, Violence, Alcohol, and Colonisation
belle2008's review
4.75
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Cultural appropriation, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Colonisation
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
No matter how many times I read about it, the realities of the residential school system and the abuses perpetuated there never fail to sicken me. This book was no exception. The escape that hockey offered Saul and his exhilaration on the ice really shone through and captivated my attention, even though I have less than no interest in the game itself. The way racism impinged on that, robbed him of his love for the game, and stole his joy was heartbreaking and infuriating.
This book is a work of fiction. Yet it is filled with undeniable truths. It is beautifully and impactfully written, a painful yet important read, and one I highly recommend.
“When your innocence is stripped from you, when your people are denigrated, when the family that you came from is denounced and your tribal ways and rituals are pronounced backward, primitive, savage, you come to see yourself as less than human. That is hell on earth, that sense of unworthiness. That’s what they inflicted on us.”
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, and Murder
jennifer8632d's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Moderate: Suicide