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4.47 AVERAGE
4.47 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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:
Complicated
A beautifully told story, well crafted, and expertly handled for the flow between lighter and heavier topics. A good glimpse at the way individual lives and generations were impacted by the Indian Residential "Schools" and the ongoing devastation and healing, all woven into plenty of games of hockey.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Colonisation
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
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:
Complicated
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
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
4.5 stars
I loved this novel featuring Saul Indian Horse. He was taken from his family and put in "residential school" St. Jerome's. It was a horrible life there, but he found a kind Father who ignited his interest in hockey. From using horse turds as pucks, Saul finds purpose in his life. Then Fred Kelly invites him to live with his family, and he lives out his hockey dream. Will he be able to overcome his tragic past through hockey, or will he not be able to escape the clutches of his trauma?
Saul is such a great character that you root for! I liked the timelessness of this novel and how the reader is exposed to the true horrors of life in a residential school that Indigenous people experienced.
I loved this novel featuring Saul Indian Horse. He was taken from his family and put in "residential school" St. Jerome's. It was a horrible life there, but he found a kind Father who ignited his interest in hockey. From using horse turds as pucks, Saul finds purpose in his life. Then Fred Kelly invites him to live with his family, and he lives out his hockey dream. Will he be able to overcome his tragic past through hockey, or will he not be able to escape the clutches of his trauma?
Saul is such a great character that you root for! I liked the timelessness of this novel and how the reader is exposed to the true horrors of life in a residential school that Indigenous people experienced.
Very good story. The twist is a little shocking at first but after I thought about it I could see the seeds being planted for awhile in the book. The way it ended was also great. Left me wanting more but knowing I didn’t really need more.
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
I really don’t have words for the emotions that I had while listening to this book and frankly still have and I think will carry with me always. This is not the first book or story I’ve read that is about the very recent and very despicable history of Canadian Residential schools, but this one grabbed me and I think maybe has brought this tragedy to a more real place for me. I’m sure I’m not saying this well because I have always been deeply heart broken that this happened. To know that there are/were people on this planet that think/thought it is ok to treat people so horrifically is something I will never be able to come to terms with. I wish to the depth of my soul this world was a safe, fair, and peaceful place for everyone, but it is not, and this story shines a very bright light on a very dark, unfair and unjust experience that is a similar experience for far too many indigenous people.
This story was so well narrated and the writing was amazing. Everyone should read/listen to this.
This story was so well narrated and the writing was amazing. Everyone should read/listen to this.