Reviews

The Tao of Raven: An Alaska Native Memoir by Ernestine Hayes

evanroberts's review against another edition

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5.0

More Native stories just making my week! This was a bit more solemn, and less full of action but Tlingit stories! Made me so happy and I got lost in Alaska in these stories

analyticalchaos's review against another edition

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5.0

The way Ernestine Hayes manages to weave in Sun Tzu’s Art of War references along with her own perspectives on Tlingit culture is a sight to be seen. I’ve never read such pure, engaging prose. Each part flowed to the next and showed such complexity. Each paragraph was thought out and crafted with rhythm, purpose, and perspective.

I was wary on how multiple perspectives and formats would effect this pretty short book, but this is a shining example of how to tie your perspectives in with a general theme. It worked.

klovett's review against another edition

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5.0

Ernestine Hayes paints a vivid, and at times poetic, picture of life in Alaska as an Alaska Native. The stories she weaves, some biographical, others seemingly an expression of collective experience, push the reader to see the harm that colonization continues to cause to the Alaska Native community. Although at times heart wrenching, a consistent thread throughout is the perseverance and resilience of this community. Despite the obstacles they face, her protagonists are carried forward by their inner strength and the unbreakable ties of family. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that is interested in learning about the Alaska Native experience or reading a wonderfully written memoir.

lizinthelibrary's review against another edition

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5.0

Beautifully written. Moving and honest.

belle_enth_stid's review against another edition

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5.0

Everything she’s ever written is the best thing I’ve ever read

leighbolin's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

sunflowerjess's review against another edition

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emotional reflective slow-paced

5.0

This is a book to savor, read slowly, reflect on. As a born-and-raised Alaskan, but raised white, this book touched me and challenged me. I'm looking forward to reading more works like this. 

theoneana's review against another edition

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emotional reflective slow-paced

4.0

arrsau's review against another edition

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challenging emotional informative inspiring medium-paced

5.0

twoswans's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional slow-paced

2.5