The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
rieviolet'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
4.5
From a narrative standpoint, I think that Saul's story was very well structured and paced; also, his voice and emotional landscape were explored and captured on the page very vividly and movingly.
The writing is quite understated and matter-of-fact, and while I didn't mind this pared-back style and still found it impactful, it might not click with you if you usually prefer something more flowery and elaborate.
As you progress with the narration, you understand more and more clearly the significant role that hockey plays in Saul's personal journey. Still, I'm not really a sports person and, in all honesty, the parts with more detailed descriptions were not the most interesting to get through.
This is a very heart-wrenching book and it does not shy away from depicting horrific child abuse and its lasting impact or the pervasive societal racism, but it never does so gratuitously.
Despite all, it still ends on a hopeful note, focusing on the possibility of recovery and the healing force of a supportive community.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Kidnapping, Colonisation, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Child abuse, Child death, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Bullying, Forced institutionalization, Hate crime, Death, Grief, Racial slurs, Suicide, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Terminal illness, Abandonment, Blood, Mental illness, and Torture
bookish_growler's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Racism, Child death, Rape, Grief, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Racial slurs, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, and Kidnapping
wifeslife'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
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
pickett22'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? No
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Suicide, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Mental illness, Addiction, Abandonment, Child abuse, Cursing, Confinement, Religious bigotry, Pedophilia, Murder, Colonisation, Child death, Rape, Racism, Kidnapping, Forced institutionalization, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Racial slurs, Grief, Excrement, Death of parent, Death, and Alcohol
sydfreeman'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
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Racial slurs, Murder, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Kidnapping, Child death, Racism, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Homophobia
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: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child death, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, Addiction, Child abuse, Death, Forced institutionalization, Genocide, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Sexual violence, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Suicide, Violence, Murder, Pedophilia, Rape, Religious bigotry, Self harm, Abandonment, Confinement, Grief, Kidnapping, Suicidal thoughts, and Torture
Minor: Death of parent and Mental illness
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: Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Murder, Racism, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Suicide, Pedophilia, and Sexual assault