natalietan's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Violence, and Alcoholism
nineohtworeads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
lori_reads_everything's review against another edition
5.0
I love short stories, but I feel like it's really difficult to find a collection where every story shines on its own - until now. While I certainly had my favorites (the stories of the Wheetago, which I would love to see a full length novel about), I can honestly say that I enjoyed every single story in this collection, and this will definitely be a book I pick up again at some point. The author does a fantastic job of weaving deep and interesting stories in a short number of pages, and they are told so well you feel that you can see everything unfolding.
If you enjoy short stories like I do, this is a must read for sure.
If you enjoy short stories like I do, this is a must read for sure.
esther_habs's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
brenticus's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This was a bit of an odd collection. A mix of sci-fi and Indigenous-style magic, sometimes within the same story and sometimes not. Generally I found that the more a story leaned into sci-fi elements the less impactful it felt.
All of the stories star Tlicho men, most are placed around Fort Smith, and some reference the dance hall called Mocassin Square Gardens. I don't think it had any relevance to any of the stories.
I think "Grandpa" stood out as an exceptionally powerful story, maybe because of losing my own grandfather recently. "I am filled with a trembling light" and "The Promise" both seemed like very strong stories that I think just didn't quite connect the same way for me. The two "Wheetago Wars" stories seemed like they would be interesting in a longer format, but they fell a little flat for me.
Overall I enjoyed this collection, but I did so unevenly and not as much as I'd hoped or expected. Still, if it seems like it might be interesting it's probably worth picking up.
All of the stories star Tlicho men, most are placed around Fort Smith, and some reference the dance hall called Mocassin Square Gardens. I don't think it had any relevance to any of the stories.
I think "Grandpa" stood out as an exceptionally powerful story, maybe because of losing my own grandfather recently. "I am filled with a trembling light" and "The Promise" both seemed like very strong stories that I think just didn't quite connect the same way for me. The two "Wheetago Wars" stories seemed like they would be interesting in a longer format, but they fell a little flat for me.
Overall I enjoyed this collection, but I did so unevenly and not as much as I'd hoped or expected. Still, if it seems like it might be interesting it's probably worth picking up.
amandasamuelson's review against another edition
4.0
Each of these stories felt like a wonderful little gift. They were so fun to read! I was especially drawn to the Wheetago stories.
black_girl_reading's review against another edition
5.0
Richard Van Camp’s Moccasin Square Gardens was the reminder I needed that a short story collection can really do it all and more - not all stories need to be novels. Based all over the Dene territories in the north, this book takes you everywhere in place and time. From funny stories about local politics and community gossip, to gentle love songs to Elders and their knowledge, to terrifying parables about ancient threats unleashed by the current climate crisis, I laughed, I cried, and I was too scared to sleep. Van Camp was new to me when I read The Lesser Blessed earlier this year, and he’s as great at short stories as he is at the novel. So good.
mysta's review against another edition
2.0
I feel bad giving this a two-star review, but it just... didn't work for me.
The stories were well-written and creative, but the style most of them were written in just wasn't my cup of tea, unfortunately, and I had a hard time getting into them.
I did enjoy "Super Indians", which made me genuinely laugh out loud, and "Ehtsée/Grandfather" was beautiful. I almost put the book down at a couple points, but it was worth continuing just for that one.
The stories were well-written and creative, but the style most of them were written in just wasn't my cup of tea, unfortunately, and I had a hard time getting into them.
I did enjoy "Super Indians", which made me genuinely laugh out loud, and "Ehtsée/Grandfather" was beautiful. I almost put the book down at a couple points, but it was worth continuing just for that one.