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avkesner's review against another edition
4.0
I was really excited to read this novel- the first novel in Quebec written by an Indigenous woman. I ended up listening to the audiobook and was drawn into the story, the characters, and the culture. I was moved by the spiritualism of Victoria and her history. A truly unique book I will recommend to others!
#BlueBearWoman #NetGalley
#BlueBearWoman #NetGalley
jen395's review against another edition
4.0
a very beautiful read. despite a lot of tragic events that come up, it's the love, peace, family, and healing that really shine through in this novel
sammysamsam's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
slow-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? No
4.25
jandi's review against another edition
4.0
What a beautiful book; in spite of all the pain and sorrow that permeate it, it is surprisingly hopeful. Victoria, a Cree woman, takes a road trip with her husband to rediscover her roots and define her own identity. In the process, she signs up to search for the remains of her great uncle, and discovers spirituality plays a very large role in her life. The story flips back and forth between the past and the present, and introduces many members of her family, casually mentioning several traumatic events, and centering in a particular one that changes the protagonist's life.
The writing is beautiful, specially when describing the spiritual imagery.
The writing is beautiful, specially when describing the spiritual imagery.
abbie_'s review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
I regret not going for a physical copy of this. It’s the type of book I’d eat up in print, but as an audiobook it didn’t work that well for me. Still, not rating it lower than a three because I know it’s a good book, the format here just didn’t do its content justice.
lauren_endnotes's review against another edition
4.0
• BLUE BEAR WOMAN by Virginia Pésémapéo Bordeleau, translated from the French by Susan Ourious and Christelle Morelli, 2007/2019.
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"Soon a sign warns: “Remote road, continue at your own risk.” We’re being told to exercise extreme caution. Here I’ve come to look in on the country of my Cree origins, and I’m being warned of danger. I’m torn between laughter and scorn."
.
Bordeleau's debut novel in 2007, the "first novel in Quebec written by an Indigenous woman" (described on the publisher's website) is an immersive story of family mysteries, spiritual awakenings, and land/water rights surrounding the construction of a dam in the James Bay region of Quebec.
Victoria learns note about the family mystery of her uncle's disappearance, and begins to have vivid dreams leading her to find out what happened decades ago. Two timelines - the 1960s and 2000s - trace the family's history on their ancestral land and hunting/trapping grounds.
.
"Soon a sign warns: “Remote road, continue at your own risk.” We’re being told to exercise extreme caution. Here I’ve come to look in on the country of my Cree origins, and I’m being warned of danger. I’m torn between laughter and scorn."
.
Bordeleau's debut novel in 2007, the "first novel in Quebec written by an Indigenous woman" (described on the publisher's website) is an immersive story of family mysteries, spiritual awakenings, and land/water rights surrounding the construction of a dam in the James Bay region of Quebec.
Victoria learns note about the family mystery of her uncle's disappearance, and begins to have vivid dreams leading her to find out what happened decades ago. Two timelines - the 1960s and 2000s - trace the family's history on their ancestral land and hunting/trapping grounds.
decembermagpie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident, Racial slurs, Alcohol, Death, Infidelity, Alcoholism, and Grief
showthisbooksomelove's review against another edition
3.0
Trigger warnings: Violent deaths, car accidents, alcoholism, incest, sexual abuse, child abuse, rape, violence against first nations people, marital infidelity.
This is a very unique collection of essays from Bordeleau. Non-linear, these are stories about her quest to discover more of her Cree kin and culture, to discover her home, to discover herself. Through the course of the book, she meets people she’s related to and learns something more about her history. She learns about loss and grief, anger and love.
The hardest part of this book is how non-linear it is. Months or years pass between chapters, sometimes we go back in time, sometimes it seems to move from day to day. None of the stories are really all that connected, just loosely scattered around the overarching theme of belonging. Many of the stories jump into abusive or otherwise challenging topics with little or no warning. This is how life goes. Yet at the same time, I’m used to seeing tragedies unfolding over pages, where you see the worst of it coming before it gets there. There’s no foreshadowing in real life, though, and Bordeleau doesn’t let her readers have that luxury either.
The narrators voice was soothing, but almost overly so. I often zoned in and out of this book, as her voice would sometimes take on a monotone quality, making it difficult to stay engaged. Neither was there usually something interesting happening when I zoned back in, so for most of the book I struggled to rejoin the book as it went along.
This is a very unique collection of essays from Bordeleau. Non-linear, these are stories about her quest to discover more of her Cree kin and culture, to discover her home, to discover herself. Through the course of the book, she meets people she’s related to and learns something more about her history. She learns about loss and grief, anger and love.
The hardest part of this book is how non-linear it is. Months or years pass between chapters, sometimes we go back in time, sometimes it seems to move from day to day. None of the stories are really all that connected, just loosely scattered around the overarching theme of belonging. Many of the stories jump into abusive or otherwise challenging topics with little or no warning. This is how life goes. Yet at the same time, I’m used to seeing tragedies unfolding over pages, where you see the worst of it coming before it gets there. There’s no foreshadowing in real life, though, and Bordeleau doesn’t let her readers have that luxury either.
The narrators voice was soothing, but almost overly so. I often zoned in and out of this book, as her voice would sometimes take on a monotone quality, making it difficult to stay engaged. Neither was there usually something interesting happening when I zoned back in, so for most of the book I struggled to rejoin the book as it went along.
peyton_'s review against another edition
5.0
This is a nice book. I went into this book optimistic that I would like it. I started reading and realized it was a commentary on life, rather than an action-filled adventure. I immediately became hesitant. I don’t like commentaries because I find them dry and tedious to read. Not so in this case. I am actually surprised how much I enjoyed this book. The writing is nothing special, and yet I feel like I have just read a piece of art. I am smiling having finished the book and feel like my life just became better because of it.
It isn’t like other FMNI literature that I have read. The stabs at political commentary and references are subtle and do not take away from the narrative. They are put out there, but not shouted at or shoved down our throats. The spirituality is beautiful. It is not pushing any beliefs, but instead the narrator is just living her life the way she believes is best. That is so refreshing.
I love this book. I am excited to recommend it to others and hopes that it gains popularity. I hope that more of her works will be translated into English. I’d really like to read some of her poetry.
It isn’t like other FMNI literature that I have read. The stabs at political commentary and references are subtle and do not take away from the narrative. They are put out there, but not shouted at or shoved down our throats. The spirituality is beautiful. It is not pushing any beliefs, but instead the narrator is just living her life the way she believes is best. That is so refreshing.
I love this book. I am excited to recommend it to others and hopes that it gains popularity. I hope that more of her works will be translated into English. I’d really like to read some of her poetry.