Scan barcode
katharina90's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
I just couldn't connect with this one. I found the nonlinear storytelling hard to follow which definitely wasn't helping.
The audiobook narration was very oldschool. Announcements like "this is the end of disc 1" were a real throwback.
The audiobook narration was very oldschool. Announcements like "this is the end of disc 1" were a real throwback.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Forced institutionalization, and Colonisation
Minor: Sexual content
lynnannwalsh's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Forced institutionalization, Alcohol, and Colonisation
catapocalypse's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- 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
I first read this over 15 years ago through a university extension course as a high school senior. Many things from it stuck with me over the years, and it was past time to read it again.
This is a brief but powerful book about dealing with PTSD and loss, and finding healing in nature and tradition. Tayo, a man from a Laguna Pueblo family, returns home with severe PTSD after serving in the Pacific in World War II, being captured by the Japanese military (he survives the Bataan Death March), and losing loved ones both in and outside of the war. Neither a stay in a psychiatric hospital nor resting at his family's home do much to improve his condition, and the alcohol his friends turn to only gets him in trouble. Ultimately, he turns to his tribe's traditions in an effort to reconnect with their history, the land, and humanity, to heal and to see to some unfinished business.
The story includes many flashbacks from throughout Tayo's life and snippets of tribal songs and stories in verse. The mix is chaotic at the start, but focuses in on the present as Tayo regains his clarity. It's beautifully crafted.
This is a brief but powerful book about dealing with PTSD and loss, and finding healing in nature and tradition. Tayo, a man from a Laguna Pueblo family, returns home with severe PTSD after serving in the Pacific in World War II, being captured by the Japanese military (he survives the Bataan Death March), and losing loved ones both in and outside of the war. Neither a stay in a psychiatric hospital nor resting at his family's home do much to improve his condition, and the alcohol his friends turn to only gets him in trouble. Ultimately, he turns to his tribe's traditions in an effort to reconnect with their history, the land, and humanity, to heal and to see to some unfinished business.
The story includes many flashbacks from throughout Tayo's life and snippets of tribal songs and stories in verse. The mix is chaotic at the start, but focuses in on the present as Tayo regains his clarity. It's beautifully crafted.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Infidelity, Sexual content, and Death of parent
Minor: Homophobia, Misogyny, and Forced institutionalization