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A review by annemaries_shelves
Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
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
5.0
Wagamese destroyed me with this story in the most necessary way possible.
It's an easy-to-read but heavy novel that grapples with trauma caused by Canadian residential schools (in this specific case, a Catholic residential school in Northern Ontario in the 1960s).
The story of Saul, the truths laid bare within his absolutely beautiful writing, the emotional candour, the pacing and narrative structure, and the absolute love for his people and land make Indian Horse one of the most impactful, well-crafted, and beautiful novels I've read.
Wagamese's passion for hockey truly shines through as well, and I found myself at the edge of my metaphorical seat reading about training, playing games - the beauty of the game alongside the racist experiences Saul and the Moose team experienced by white settlers who believe the game of hockey is theirs alone.
I also particularly appreciated how Wagamese incorporate Objibwe culture and worldviews throughout the novel and how integral Saul's culture and language (despite being forcibly stripped from him) is to his identity and journey.
I feel like I could write an entire essay on this novel and all its themes, narrative choices, character development, etc. but I think I'll leave it here for now. Everyone in North America should read Indian Horse.
I'll be thinking about this novel for a long time.
Content/trigger warnings: significant child physical and sexual abuse, colonial trauma, alcoholism, residential schools, suicide/death, racial slurs
It's an easy-to-read but heavy novel that grapples with trauma caused by Canadian residential schools (in this specific case, a Catholic residential school in Northern Ontario in the 1960s).
The story of Saul, the truths laid bare within his absolutely beautiful writing, the emotional candour, the pacing and narrative structure, and the absolute love for his people and land make Indian Horse one of the most impactful, well-crafted, and beautiful novels I've read.
Wagamese's passion for hockey truly shines through as well, and I found myself at the edge of my metaphorical seat reading about training, playing games - the beauty of the game alongside the racist experiences Saul and the Moose team experienced by white settlers who believe the game of hockey is theirs alone.
I also particularly appreciated how Wagamese incorporate Objibwe culture and worldviews throughout the novel and how integral Saul's culture and language (despite being forcibly stripped from him) is to his identity and journey.
I feel like I could write an entire essay on this novel and all its themes, narrative choices, character development, etc. but I think I'll leave it here for now. Everyone in North America should read Indian Horse.
I'll be thinking about this novel for a long time.
Content/trigger warnings: significant child physical and sexual abuse, colonial trauma, alcoholism, residential schools, suicide/death, racial slurs
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Suicide