484 reviews for:

The Strangers

Katherena Vermette

4.22 AVERAGE

spacegloom's review against another edition

5.0

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i see a lot of my family in the strangers, and so this book hurt and healed in equal measure.

hdh's review against another edition

4.75

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

rachnreads's review against another edition

3.25

medium-paced

kayymwil's review against another edition

4.5

dark funny 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: Complicated

vegdogmom's review against another edition

4.0

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This book is tough. The general themes - losing your children to the system, incarceration, generational trauma, etc - are all tough. And the story is bleak.

But, it is excellently written. And despite the tough themes I had no issue returning to it. Cedar's youthful, forward looking voice really helped bring me through the book.

Luckily for everyone the end is hopeful, and if you're having trouble getting through the beginning of this book, I hope you stick it out.

kmosie's review against another edition

3.75

emotional sad medium-paced

readwithtoni's review against another edition

4.0

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4.5

ellenjoannecampbell's review against another edition

4.0

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Vermette is an amazing writer with an intimate knowledge of the lives of urban Indigenous peoples. The Strangers is a very authentic look at the ways that racism, poverty, addictions, and the "system" (Child Welfare) can splinter a family. It's a hopeful ending but it's certainly not all tied up in a bow. I hope that there are more novels by Vermette coming soon! Also, the narration is wonderful.

miraa's review against another edition

4.5

challenging emotional 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: Yes

vanessaleonard's review against another edition

4.75

challenging emotional reflective sad 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: Yes