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A review by bookmarkedbybritt
Dream Wheels by Richard Wagamese
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-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
4.25
I must admit, I have been purposely putting off starting on Richard Wagamese’s books. Why, you might ask? Because I knew I would love them and, with his passing, there is a finite number of books to fall in love with.
What I found, though, in Dream Wheels was a book that begs to be read again. Wagamese found such an incredible story in the characters of Joe Willie and Aiden, two men “imprisoned” through very different circumstances. I’m also a sucker for Westerns/cowboy stories, so this heartfelt combination really rang true to me.
The writing was at first challenging as the character perspective changed every few paragraphs, to begin with, with no indication. What I felt as I continued to read, though, was the pace and continuity of the writing was a direct reflection of the healing journey, both physical and mental, of our lead characters. The subtle weaving of words until their stories entwined created such a beautiful and evocative tapestry. I felt their stories, their frustration and anger, so deeply through the choice of language and style. Then, I had the privilege of witnessing their healing, their tradition/teachings and their camaraderie through the same.
At its heart, this story so deftly told of the Indigenous experience in the not-so-distant past in the Canadian west. It was direct in its assertions, but empathic to the choices that the characters made.
It also was just so incredibly hopeful. I took away such an incredible lesson that I desperately needed hear: you are built by the choices you make. It doesn’t matter that you make a “wrong” choice, just that you continue trying to make the right ones for yourself.
I definitely think that lovers of literary fiction/Canadian fiction will resonate with this book. Just remember: lean into the discomfort and discord. You will find a different understanding of this incredible book if you do.
What I found, though, in Dream Wheels was a book that begs to be read again. Wagamese found such an incredible story in the characters of Joe Willie and Aiden, two men “imprisoned” through very different circumstances. I’m also a sucker for Westerns/cowboy stories, so this heartfelt combination really rang true to me.
The writing was at first challenging as the character perspective changed every few paragraphs, to begin with, with no indication. What I felt as I continued to read, though, was the pace and continuity of the writing was a direct reflection of the healing journey, both physical and mental, of our lead characters. The subtle weaving of words until their stories entwined created such a beautiful and evocative tapestry. I felt their stories, their frustration and anger, so deeply through the choice of language and style. Then, I had the privilege of witnessing their healing, their tradition/teachings and their camaraderie through the same.
At its heart, this story so deftly told of the Indigenous experience in the not-so-distant past in the Canadian west. It was direct in its assertions, but empathic to the choices that the characters made.
It also was just so incredibly hopeful. I took away such an incredible lesson that I desperately needed hear: you are built by the choices you make. It doesn’t matter that you make a “wrong” choice, just that you continue trying to make the right ones for yourself.
I definitely think that lovers of literary fiction/Canadian fiction will resonate with this book. Just remember: lean into the discomfort and discord. You will find a different understanding of this incredible book if you do.