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annemariep68's review against another edition
5.0
Audiobook: this was a hard look at the life and near death of a young Métis boy and man. The systemic racism in Canada and the legacy of addiction that continued to haunt him and the terrible life on the street are shared as well as his path out of that life and the importance of connection and family. Read by the author it is real and heartbreaking and will change my understanding and awareness of the people that are forgotten by society. I have seen negative reviews of Jesse Thistle’s narration but I am glad they didn’t hire an actor to read this story but allowed the man himself to tell it. Should be required reading for all Canadians.
kenzibir's review against another edition
5.0
Worth the read, intense but the reality of a lot of people, especially who are indigenous.
skoot's review against another edition
4.0
Very raw. I knew people with stories just like this and think it adds to the compendium of Canadian experience with honour and humility.
yrogan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
smalltownbookmom's review against another edition
3.0
It was just ok for me. Commendable that he made something of himself after the mess he made of his life.
lostinastoryyyy's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
wow... this memoir has left it's mark for sure! i wish mr. thistle nothing but a calm beautiful and happy future
selinayoung's review against another edition
5.0
I highly recommend this book!!! I also acknowledge that it may be triggering for some people.
Jesse tells his story with such genuine honesty and at times humour. The writing is so compelling that you get sucked in and don’t want to stop (or you reread every chapter as I did so I could spend a bit more time with the story and experiences).
It shows that small things can happen that spiral out of control quickly. It also shows the power of the human spirit, the power of family and the importance of connection to self, community and place. “Every step is a gift, every one is sacred and each, in its own little way is a prayer for me.”
You aren’t just a blur Jesse, you are so very much more. “I’m not just a blur to them, I’m no longer a blur to myself.”
I hope everyone who reads this thinks a bit more and acts with more kindness towards others - we don’t know what someone has gone through, is going through, so hold your judgement, acknowledge humanity.
Jesse tells his story with such genuine honesty and at times humour. The writing is so compelling that you get sucked in and don’t want to stop (or you reread every chapter as I did so I could spend a bit more time with the story and experiences).
It shows that small things can happen that spiral out of control quickly. It also shows the power of the human spirit, the power of family and the importance of connection to self, community and place. “Every step is a gift, every one is sacred and each, in its own little way is a prayer for me.”
You aren’t just a blur Jesse, you are so very much more. “I’m not just a blur to them, I’m no longer a blur to myself.”
I hope everyone who reads this thinks a bit more and acts with more kindness towards others - we don’t know what someone has gone through, is going through, so hold your judgement, acknowledge humanity.
jaklyn_heath_reads's review against another edition
*not rated as this is a memoir and I find it unfair to rate someone’s own words about their life and experiences
stivi's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0