Reviews - El diario completamente verídico de un indio a tiempo parcial

5.56k reviews for:

El diario completamente verídico de un indio a tiempo parcial

The 5 star rating is a bit of a pill to swallow because of the sexual harassment allegations against the author. HOWEVER, that being said, this is a beautiful, heartbreaking story that I believe should be required reading for every high school student along with The Hate U Give. Both have similar characters, struggling with going to school away from where they live/are raised.

Arnold Spirit decides early in the book that he wants to go to a white school away from his “Rez” which disappoints his friends and community. He struggles throughout the book with not fitting in at his new school and his own people pushing him away because he has betrayed him. The most poignant part of the book for me was when his school beats his old school in basketball, and while they are celebrating, Arnold breaks down because he sees the other team for who they really are, kids who have alcoholic parents, parents who beat them or kids who haven’t eaten today. He deals with the struggle of loving a father who goes on booze binges but still manages to save him $5. He deals with a community riddled by alcohol abuse, drunk driving and poverty. He deals with a grandmother who is killed by a drunk driver, an uncle who is killed by a drunk friend and a sister who is killed by a hot plate that was left on.

The struggles he goes through throughout the book of wanting to fit in, but being so outside everything and struggling with being a teenage boy on top of everything just pulls at your heartstrings. The book ends with him and his friend, after a whole year apart because his friend was so mad at him for leaving, playing basketball again which was just the perfect way to end this rollercoaster of a book.

Is it a perfect representation of a First Nation persons life? Absolutely not. But it helps us all to understand and empathize with walking a day in Arnold Spirit’s secondhand shoes...

jenjones83's review against another edition

3.5

fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Rating: ★★★½

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is a powerful, semi-autobiographical coming-of-age story that tackles serious topics like poverty, racism, identity, and resilience—with a strong voice and sharp wit. Sherman Alexie brings Junior’s world to life through a raw and honest lens, and the illustrations by Ellen Forney add a lot of personality and humor to the narrative.

What really works is the authenticity. Junior’s voice feels real—funny, awkward, angry, and deeply human. The way the book addresses tough issues with both humor and heart is impressive. There are moments that genuinely made me laugh out loud, and others that hit hard emotionally.

That said, the book’s tone occasionally feels uneven. The humor sometimes undercuts the emotional depth, and a few side characters could’ve been more fleshed out. There are also moments that feel rushed or underdeveloped, leaving certain emotional beats less impactful than they could have been.

Still, this is an important book with a unique voice, and I’m glad I read it. It’s the kind of story that opens up conversations and makes you think—even if it doesn’t land perfectly on every page.

jomarie567's review against another edition

4.0

emotional funny hopeful 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

This book covers heavy topics while still being witty and full of personality. I can fully tell who this author is as a person. It was very quick but impactful.