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catapocalypse's review
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, Blood, Death, Grief, Gun violence, Mental illness, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, and Vomit
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Death of parent, Infidelity, and Sexual content
Minor: Forced institutionalization, Homophobia, and Misogyny
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