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4.47 AVERAGE
4.47 AVERAGE
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A quick read but very intense content. I got a little bored during the chapters going into detailed descriptions of the hockey scenes, but it ultimately set up the progression from his love of the game to being consumed by rage from the racism, and as we learn at the end, sexual abuse that he endured.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Racism, Sexual assault
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Racism, Sexual assault
Eye opening to the affects of residential schools in Canada.
Those interested in Indigenous literature will find Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese to be a great first start. At its heart, it’s about a boy who is trying his best to survive and find his place in the world. It’s a heartwarming, powerful, and sorrowful narrative that I thoroughly enjoyed and recommend to everyone of all ages. From its first chapter, I fell in love with the voice of Saul Indian Horse. Raised by his Ojibway grandmother and parents, Saul’s childhood is full of reclaiming lost traditions and running from the fate of his older siblings who were kidnapped and taken to Indian boarding schools in Canada. I loved his grandmother, Naomi, so much and would love to read a story just about her. As the story progresses, Saul sadly finds a similar fate to his siblings at the boarding school. There, amidst the horror and abuse of native children, he finds an escape with hockey. The rest of the story consists of Saul’s growing talent with the sport and his journey as he learns more about the world. It’s a coming-of-age and found family story that dives into themes of loss, sexual abuse, religion, and most importantly, the horrors of Indian boarding schools.
Wagamese does such a beautiful and incredible job of capturing the heart and voice of Saul. My favorite parts are of Saul listening and studying the movements within hockey games. In those scenes, it truly feels like time has stopped and I’m right there watching Saul’s mind at work. Wagamese’s description and dialogue are also wonderful and enjoyable to read. Every scene had a strong impact and meaningful place in the overall narrative of the story. I loved the dynamic between Saul and Martha and Fred, especially near the end.
The only part I wish we could have spent more time at was when Saul stayed with Erv Sift. I thought their dynamic was incredibly wholesome and wanted more interactions between them. I know it’s not realistic at all, but I somehow wanted Erv to come with him back home. I couldn’t help feeling upset that Saul just simply left.
Overall, Wagamese does such an incredible job with this novel. If you’re looking for a great book to make you cry with happiness and sorrow, as well as leave you feeling warm, I definitely recommend this book. It’s a book you walk away with more than just the entertainment of reading it, but part of you heals along with Saul. He’s an incredibly relatable character that anyone can enjoy and fall in love with. Not only that, but it’s a powerful narrative that teaches readers about the treatment of children within Indian boarding schools, and the aftermath of such horrific abuse.
Wagamese does such a beautiful and incredible job of capturing the heart and voice of Saul. My favorite parts are of Saul listening and studying the movements within hockey games. In those scenes, it truly feels like time has stopped and I’m right there watching Saul’s mind at work. Wagamese’s description and dialogue are also wonderful and enjoyable to read. Every scene had a strong impact and meaningful place in the overall narrative of the story. I loved the dynamic between Saul and Martha and Fred, especially near the end.
The only part I wish we could have spent more time at was when Saul stayed with Erv Sift. I thought their dynamic was incredibly wholesome and wanted more interactions between them. I know it’s not realistic at all, but I somehow wanted Erv to come with him back home. I couldn’t help feeling upset that Saul just simply left.
Overall, Wagamese does such an incredible job with this novel. If you’re looking for a great book to make you cry with happiness and sorrow, as well as leave you feeling warm, I definitely recommend this book. It’s a book you walk away with more than just the entertainment of reading it, but part of you heals along with Saul. He’s an incredibly relatable character that anyone can enjoy and fall in love with. Not only that, but it’s a powerful narrative that teaches readers about the treatment of children within Indian boarding schools, and the aftermath of such horrific abuse.
Heartbreaking required reading. Out of all the texts I’ve read about Indian boarding schools, this one is the most earth-shattering and digestible at the same time. If I could read it to my students, I would. Due to the mature content, though, I’ll stick to recommending it to every teen and adult.
I guess I’m just not a sports fan. Also the ending was trite — actually the whole book minus the first 20-50 pages felt canned.
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
For the first half, I thought it was a hockey book. And then things changed.
Although our experiences are nothing alike (different circumstances and my being a white female), I could empathize more deeply because of my experience being bullied as a child and teenager.
For most of the book, I thought I wouldn't be interested in seeing the movie version of this. The end of the book made me change my mind. Even without seeing it, I'm sure the book version will be better. But it'll be interesting to see how they handle the content visually.
Oh, how mildly embarrassing it is to be seen crying while reading it on my breaks at work.
Although our experiences are nothing alike (different circumstances and my being a white female), I could empathize more deeply because of my experience being bullied as a child and teenager.
For most of the book, I thought I wouldn't be interested in seeing the movie version of this. The end of the book made me change my mind. Even without seeing it, I'm sure the book version will be better. But it'll be interesting to see how they handle the content visually.
Oh, how mildly embarrassing it is to be seen crying while reading it on my breaks at work.
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Excrement, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent
Moderate: Abandonment
This book gave false hope and then dashed it all away with a sobering look at reality. I think this book did an okay job of blending sports into a novel so that even if you’re not a fan of hockey you can still be a fan of this book.