Reviews tagging 'Colonisation'

Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese

20 reviews

naomiauld's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Religious bigotry, Abandonment, and Colonisation

Moderate: Alcoholism

storiesabtjane's review against another edition

challenging dark informative reflective sad 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

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Alcohol, and Colonisation

summer_s's review against another edition

challenging dark hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• 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

5.0

A beautifully told story, well crafted, and expertly handled for the flow between lighter and heavier topics. A good glimpse at the way individual lives and generations were impacted by the Indian Residential "Schools" and the ongoing devastation and healing, all woven into plenty of games of hockey.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism and Colonisation

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

nineohtworeads's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Colonisation

Moderate: Child death

kmshobbs's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Genocide, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, and Colonisation

Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, and Abandonment

rieviolet's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad medium-paced

• 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

This was my first proper approach to First Nations literature and it wasn't an easy read by any means, but a vital and eye-opening one.

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. 

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Content Warnings

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

melissa_h's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad 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

Excellent.  

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Classism

blotchedspots's review against another edition

dark sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying

Minor: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Colonisation

gabbybingka's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Racism, Sexual assault, and Colonisation

pickett22's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad 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? No

5.0

"They scooped out our insides, Saul. We're not responsible for that."

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Excrement, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Colonisation