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Reviews tagging 'Panic attacks/disorders'
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
1 review
jhbandcats's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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
A devastating semi-autobiographical story of a teenaged Spokane Indian who leaves the reservation to break out of the rez cycle of poverty and alcoholism.
This book isn’t very long and it’s very funny, and it has short chapters that move really quickly - but it seemed to take me forever to finish it. I’d put it down and then I’d procrastinate rather than reading more. It was because it’s about the most painful story I’ve read in I don’t know how long. It would be sad enough anyway, but the fact that it’s based on Alexie’s experiences makes it heartbreaking.
I know about Alexie’s sexual abuse of women and the harm that he caused. That infuriates me. For someone so talented and so representative of a minority to take advantage of his position in this way is worse than appalling because it gives a bad name to all in that minority. In addition to my anger, I have mixed feelings about recommending his book. It’s the same with Woody Allen and Roman Polanski movies - how do you separate the reprehensible artist from the spectacular art? Is that even possible?
I don’t know the answer. I just know that this was a phenomenal book that makes me want to read everything else by Sherman Alexie.
This book isn’t very long and it’s very funny, and it has short chapters that move really quickly - but it seemed to take me forever to finish it. I’d put it down and then I’d procrastinate rather than reading more. It was because it’s about the most painful story I’ve read in I don’t know how long. It would be sad enough anyway, but the fact that it’s based on Alexie’s experiences makes it heartbreaking.
I know about Alexie’s sexual abuse of women and the harm that he caused. That infuriates me. For someone so talented and so representative of a minority to take advantage of his position in this way is worse than appalling because it gives a bad name to all in that minority. In addition to my anger, I have mixed feelings about recommending his book. It’s the same with Woody Allen and Roman Polanski movies - how do you separate the reprehensible artist from the spectacular art? Is that even possible?
I don’t know the answer. I just know that this was a phenomenal book that makes me want to read everything else by Sherman Alexie.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Car accident, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Classism, Grief, Mental illness, Alcoholism, Animal death, Blood, Bullying, Fire/Fire injury, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Death, Domestic abuse, and Colonisation
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