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naomiauld'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, Death, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Religious bigotry, Abandonment, and Colonisation
Moderate: Alcoholism
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, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicide, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Colonisation
Moderate: Mental illness, Terminal illness, Torture, Blood, and Abandonment
cantfindmybookmark's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Excrement, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
Moderate: Abandonment
julienicole1106's review against another edition
- 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
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
brenticus's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What gets me with this story is that there's minimal drama presented as time goes on. Saul is examining his life through a journal as he goes through rehab, and there are many events that do or could change the course of his life but remain hidden or muted until later. The behaviour of his parents is pushed aside quickly as he focuses on the love of his grandmother; the abuses at the school are background noise while he learns about his love of hockey; the inaction of his foster parents is unaddressed because he just wants to do the best he can for his team. Saul doesn't really know what he's doing, and he doesn't have many people to lean on, and the people who understand what he's going through best don't know how to grapple with it themselves. It's a tragedy unfolding slowly and quietly over the course of his life.
I've read and heard similar stories many times, but something about Saul rings louder and truer than a lot of other tales. Saul and the people he interacts with and even the reader quietly ignore his traumas to focus on his hockey career, to see how high the young virtuoso can fly, but we can't. They're all seething under the surface, and when they boil over it's a gut punch as we realize what we've done. Maybe if more people had tried to help with his past instead of focusing on his hockey ability we wouldn't need to read this book.
All in all, this is probably the best work of Canadian literature I've ever read and I want to recommend it to just about everybody.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicide, and Colonisation