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hilariousmae's review against another edition
A novel that feels like a group of connected short stories. This meant that it was easy to skip chapter 14 when an ableist slur was used repeatedly. I would have given Medicine River five stars if it wasn't for that chapter.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
lachelle45's review against another edition
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
lelia_t's review against another edition
4.0
Perfect if you’re looking for a quietly enjoyable read. Just when I would think we were ramping up for trauma drama, we weren’t. And I like that.
Will is a good man who’s been pulled and prodded by others, but is learning to trust and act from his own understanding. Throughout the book, Will’s childhood memories help us - and him - understand both his feeling of disconnection from others and the source of his compassion as he witnesses the struggles of the adults around him, especially the women. Having returned to Medicine River, a town he lived in as a boy, Will is learning to navigate the swirl of rumors, gossip and stories that bind this close-knit community together, and finding ways to forge meaningful connections of his own. Most of the gossip and sense of togetherness is sustained by Will’s friend Harlen, who uses information and misinformation to keep the community he holds dear bound together by acts of kindness, good intentions, and compassionate acceptance.
Will is a good man who’s been pulled and prodded by others, but is learning to trust and act from his own understanding. Throughout the book, Will’s childhood memories help us - and him - understand both his feeling of disconnection from others and the source of his compassion as he witnesses the struggles of the adults around him, especially the women. Having returned to Medicine River, a town he lived in as a boy, Will is learning to navigate the swirl of rumors, gossip and stories that bind this close-knit community together, and finding ways to forge meaningful connections of his own. Most of the gossip and sense of togetherness is sustained by Will’s friend Harlen, who uses information and misinformation to keep the community he holds dear bound together by acts of kindness, good intentions, and compassionate acceptance.
heeyitsamy's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-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
3.0
jburnford's review against another edition
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
4.75
pshepp's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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? It's complicated
novemberscorpio's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
braggu's review against another edition
4.0
Schön, liest sich gut. Verglichen mit Coyote tanzt "nur" ein gutes Buch.
emjay2021's review against another edition
4.0
I will be using this as a required text in my First Peoples English course (it's being offered for the first time in January! Yikes!). Medicine River is a quiet novel; at first glance it's just a series of anecdotes about the narrator, Will, and his family and friends. It seems at first like not much happens (see some of the very disappointed reviews of this book on Goodreads!), but I think it is actually a powerful meditation on many themes pertaining to contemporary Aboriginal life in Canada: identity, tradition, sovereignty, the legacy of colonialism. It also has plenty to say in general about friendship, families, and romantic love. Of course, Thomas King's excellent writing and dry, subtle wit are reason alone to read it.
I chose Medicine River as my assigned text before King's Governor General Award was announced, so I feel pretty prescient!
I chose Medicine River as my assigned text before King's Governor General Award was announced, so I feel pretty prescient!
crunchycrystals's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Ableism, Domestic abuse, and Child abuse
Moderate: Vomit, Infidelity, Death of parent, Suicide, and Gun violence