kendallbist's review
3.0
Me whenever I got to a Pierre chapter: "I just want to sit back, relax, and enjoy my evening, when all of the sudden I hear this agitating, grating voice..."
amandagomez's review
DNF - dunno how I made it to p.134 tbh lol
this story is soullessly written & it makes me lean more into my doubts about this author's background; everything here we know as fact, but the author is unable to take those things and write a compelling story that pulls you in. the writing feels separated from the POV it's trying to achieve, and at times leans into the mystification of Indigenous people. I much prefer reading from queer Indigenous authors directly. You can tell the difference.
this story is soullessly written & it makes me lean more into my doubts about this author's background; everything here we know as fact, but the author is unable to take those things and write a compelling story that pulls you in. the writing feels separated from the POV it's trying to achieve, and at times leans into the mystification of Indigenous people. I much prefer reading from queer Indigenous authors directly. You can tell the difference.
mooncrab's review
4.0
In one word: depressing! There is nothing happy that happens in this book. We receive beautiful, wise teachings but it is demonstrated by horrible happenings. This reflects the tragic plight of Indigenous people and the intensity of it all during the transitional time in which this story takes place. It really is a heart-wrenching, difficult, sad story. I really enjoy the layers of it, spanning generations; it is a unique tale and I haven’t read anything like this before. There were times where the dialogue felt strange but I wondered if it’s because it is supposed to be reminiscent of how people spoke in the 17th century? The writing often felt a little juvenile too, perhaps a reflection of Danielle Daniel’s professional experience as a children’s author. Overall this is a special read, a unique book that will leave a hole in your heart & heaviness in your gut.
lindsmac's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
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
4.0
kellythorne's review
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
terriandree's review
dark
emotional
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
keycmcc's review
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The setting and premise had a lot of potential but the characters didn’t feel fleshed out to me- Maybe the authors writing style just isn’t for me but I found the characters thoughts and actions to be very simplistic. The tragic nature of the story is doing a lot of heavy lifting. Would still recommend.
booksinstilllife's review
5.0
“Because of my help, he was able to survive here and didn't have to go back to France. I gave him children so he could make a mark in this world, for himself and his king. In exchange, I lost my People, my culture, and my way. I've been living in such a fog. But now I see things clearly.”
-
This stunning novel, set in 1600s New France, tells the story of Marie, an Algonquin woman, Pierre, her French settler husband, and their two-spirit daughter Jeanne. While the young family initially settles with Marie’s Deer Clan, when a hunting trip reaps tragic consequences Pierre feels the need to separate himself from the Indigenous people and forge a new life for his family. While Marie settles into her new life of homesteading and farming, she always feels at odds with her husband’s ways and struggles to embrace his Catholic faith.
-
Pierre treats Marie kindly, agrees to raising their children to know both the French and Algonquin culture, and genuinely seeks to do what he feels is honorable and right. Daniel creates this European man’s character so intricately and with such respect that he cannot be vilified outright. And yet, as the story of their lives unfolds, it paints a painful picture of the ways colonization stripped Indigenous women and their children of their power, their culture, and their dignity. I deeply appreciate the way Daniel crafted this story of her ancestors, telling it from multiple points of view so we see the minds and hearts of Marie, Pierre and Jeanne.
-
Go ahead and judge this book by its cover - it is beautiful inside and out.
-
This stunning novel, set in 1600s New France, tells the story of Marie, an Algonquin woman, Pierre, her French settler husband, and their two-spirit daughter Jeanne. While the young family initially settles with Marie’s Deer Clan, when a hunting trip reaps tragic consequences Pierre feels the need to separate himself from the Indigenous people and forge a new life for his family. While Marie settles into her new life of homesteading and farming, she always feels at odds with her husband’s ways and struggles to embrace his Catholic faith.
-
Pierre treats Marie kindly, agrees to raising their children to know both the French and Algonquin culture, and genuinely seeks to do what he feels is honorable and right. Daniel creates this European man’s character so intricately and with such respect that he cannot be vilified outright. And yet, as the story of their lives unfolds, it paints a painful picture of the ways colonization stripped Indigenous women and their children of their power, their culture, and their dignity. I deeply appreciate the way Daniel crafted this story of her ancestors, telling it from multiple points of view so we see the minds and hearts of Marie, Pierre and Jeanne.
-
Go ahead and judge this book by its cover - it is beautiful inside and out.
samanthadoyle's review
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I enjoyed this novel. It was deeply engaging and its blunt prose suited the characters. I found myself wishing for a slightly different ending however. It was sad (which is appropriate), however, the author tried to add some beauty to the tragedy, but it fell flat for me personally.
I’m glad I read this book. My primary focus in Indigenous literature is the voices of Indigenous people who have experienced the more modern genocide and it’s repercussions. I do however think that there is a place for these narratives too - so many Canadians have distantly removed Indigenous ancestry and it is such a shame that it was suppressed and stolen. It is a loss, albeit of a different magnitude. It also had me thinking about who should write these types of stories. I did find it slightly uncomfortable that the author used the first person for the most Indigenous character. But who else should tell the story of cultural assimilation if not those who descend from it? Lots of thoughts and no answers.
I will say that I’m going back to focusing on modern Indigenous voices. They should be the main course, while this novel makes for a thought provoking side dish.