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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
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:
Yes
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
I have some mixed feelings about this one.
In the beginning (the first 1/3), it follows a couple of generations of Native Americans, starting with Jude Star who survives the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864 and his son having to go to the Carlisle Indian Industrial School. This first part reminded me of Yaa Gyasi's Homegoing, which follows different generations of one Ghanese family. Though I like this concept, it also has the same problem as Homegoing. When the novel is not that long, and you only focus on a particular character for one or two chapters, I will not remember one specific character after reading the book. They become a mix of characters, difficult to distinguish, and since you barely spend any time with a character, it's harder to connect with them, get to know them and really feel for them. They won't have the same impact on you as with characters you spend over a hundred pages with.
But the history, what was said about the massacre and the schools was really interesting. I would have loved a novel that dove deeper into this part of history. That was what I was expecting, a historical novel. So if Tommy Orange writes one in the future, I will definitely give it a go.
However, this novel is both a prequel (set in 1864-1925) and a sequel (set in 2018) to Orange's debut There There, and the remaining 2/3 follow the later generations, mostly dealing with the aftermath of a shooting at a Powwow that happens in There There. Again, it follows multiple characters, but now, you return to them every few chapters, so I liked that I got to spend more time with these characters. But it was still a bit confusing, who was who and how different characters dealt with their past, their culture and their heritage. Nevertheless, it discussed these concepts well, and talked about the characters' generational trauma, their way of living as modern Native Americans in a society that pretty much overlooks and ignores them, and also a lot about addiction. So there were quite a few things I liked, the subject, the insights into the characters' past, and the historical aspect. And the writing style was also good. But I would have liked two separate novels, one about the massacre, the schools, or something of historical fiction, and one on the more modern part. But I think I will find that second part in There There, and since I liked the subject of Wandering Stars but found fault with the execution, I will give Orange's debut a try and hopefully, it will provide me with more insights.
In the beginning (the first 1/3), it follows a couple of generations of Native Americans, starting with Jude Star who survives the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864 and his son having to go to the Carlisle Indian Industrial School. This first part reminded me of Yaa Gyasi's Homegoing, which follows different generations of one Ghanese family. Though I like this concept, it also has the same problem as Homegoing. When the novel is not that long, and you only focus on a particular character for one or two chapters, I will not remember one specific character after reading the book. They become a mix of characters, difficult to distinguish, and since you barely spend any time with a character, it's harder to connect with them, get to know them and really feel for them. They won't have the same impact on you as with characters you spend over a hundred pages with.
But the history, what was said about the massacre and the schools was really interesting. I would have loved a novel that dove deeper into this part of history. That was what I was expecting, a historical novel. So if Tommy Orange writes one in the future, I will definitely give it a go.
However, this novel is both a prequel (set in 1864-1925) and a sequel (set in 2018) to Orange's debut There There, and the remaining 2/3 follow the later generations, mostly dealing with the aftermath of a shooting at a Powwow that happens in There There. Again, it follows multiple characters, but now, you return to them every few chapters, so I liked that I got to spend more time with these characters. But it was still a bit confusing, who was who and how different characters dealt with their past, their culture and their heritage. Nevertheless, it discussed these concepts well, and talked about the characters' generational trauma, their way of living as modern Native Americans in a society that pretty much overlooks and ignores them, and also a lot about addiction. So there were quite a few things I liked, the subject, the insights into the characters' past, and the historical aspect. And the writing style was also good. But I would have liked two separate novels, one about the massacre, the schools, or something of historical fiction, and one on the more modern part. But I think I will find that second part in There There, and since I liked the subject of Wandering Stars but found fault with the execution, I will give Orange's debut a try and hopefully, it will provide me with more insights.
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
slow-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
emotional
reflective
I wavered between three and four stars for this one. I thought it was well-written with an interesting premise; however, some of the perspectives felt unnecessary and in my opinion detracted from the overall work. The themes of addiction, violence, and family were poignant and real, and I appreciated such a generations-spanning Native narrative.
I’d recommend this to people who like stories about families and searching for one’s people and culture. TW for the aforementioned themes.
I’d recommend this to people who like stories about families and searching for one’s people and culture. TW for the aforementioned themes.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Violence
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
a work of art
Didn’t realize this is book 2 in a series plus it just meanders.
dark
funny
hopeful
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
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes