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missyjohnson's review
5.0
Brilliant. There were so very many things written that made me stop and think, that it took me longer to read this book than I thought that it would. The other piece that slowed me down was that it was heart-wrenching. To consider the sadness, loss, alienation, and loneliness was profound. I don't often read where someone is able to do this so consistently and well. I will keep this book to read it again and to try to understand the depth of emotions expressed. Sunlight as a system of measurement, white noise from the television, families, visions, desires, love, laughter and alcohol. read these stories.
vukosgrin's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
ayane13's review against another edition
challenging
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
This is one of Alexie’s first publishing successes. It is a collection of inter-connected short stories. There are several recurring characters, though each story can easily stand alone. The stories focus on the Native American residents of the Spokane Indian Reservation. Thomas Builds-the-Fire is a storyteller who is frequently ignored, but is nevertheless compelled to relate his allegorical tales. Victor Joseph is another central character. We meet him in the first story as a nine-year-old trying to understand and save his parents from their alcohol dependence. Recurring themes include alcohol dependence, a desire to return to tradition, laughter shared with friends, the differences between reservation Indians and urban Indians, and, of course, basketball. Alexie began as a poet, and his writing reflects this. He has an ability to craft a phrase that will take your breath away.
rachelmp's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
nielsfeels's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
laila4343's review against another edition
5.0
Emulating my Goodreads and blog friend, Buried in Print, I stretched out my reading of this short story collection for almost a month! I didn't blow through it like a novel, which had been my short story habit before. I LOVED this collection, savoring my daily story. It's got that Alexie mix of sad and funny, full of quirky details, some mundane, some magical. Each story is an exploration of being an Indian (Alexie's term) in America, both on the reservation and off. Lots of broken families and broken dreams, but also love, basketball glory, dancing, and delicious fry bread. I re-watched the movie "Smoke Signals," which is based on a story here, and it was good, as I remembered it. If you've never read an Alexie story, you really need to pick this up.
therealkathryn's review against another edition
4.0
It took a while to get through these beautifully written stories because, while there is humor and humanity throughout, they are so sad
tarkalson's review against another edition
5.0
This was such a wonderful re-read. Revisiting this book 17 years later this text resonates in a different way for me. There is much melancholy and sadness in this book, but it's so beautifully written. Sherman Alexie poetically paints stories of what reservation life is like for the Spokanes in the Pacific North West. Definitely looking forward to my next Sherman Alexie read, he can depress me, make me laugh, and really crave authentic Native American frybread and chilli. If you gotta recipe, hook a girl up.