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benrogerswpg's review
4.0
Enjoyed this great Indigenous book.
I found it pretty funny at times, but also quite an interesting and important read.
Would recommend!
3.9/5
I found it pretty funny at times, but also quite an interesting and important read.
Would recommend!
3.9/5
annieb123's review against another edition
4.0
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Tilly and the Crazy Eights is a sweetly sentimental and kindly written road-trip/bucket list novel by Monique Gray Smith. Released in 2020 by Second Story Press, it's 230 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately; it makes it so easy to find information with the search function.
Although this is a very simply written book and many of the plot turns were foreshadowed heavily, I was surprised by how much heart and honesty it had and how appealing the characters were. Although the writing is simple enough to be a YA novel, the subject matter isn't, there's a lot of distressing background in the narrative including substance abuse, loss of a child, trauma from the residential schools most of the elders were forced to endure, illness, racism, and death. There's also a lot of hope and positive role models, mutual affection and support, learning and respecting traditional culture, and a metric ton of personal growth.
The story is told from several points of view. The voices weren't all very distinct to me, and I did have to go back to double-check which character was which sometimes. The chapters are clearly marked with whichever character's voice is being written. This was especially problematic for me with the audiobook version, since the voices for the female characters weren't differentiated at all to my ear. The audiobook has a run time of 9 hours and 24 minutes and is read by Michelle Thrush.
The language is clean, and there's no on-page sexual content. There is also a positively portrayed LGBTQ+ character who is loyal, likeable, honest, and kind. There are a number of positive portrayals of indigenous people and culture in the book (it's the central theme) alongside some honest hard truths about colonizer culture and the detrimental impact on indigenous culture.
This would likely make a good selection for public library, book clubs, or reading groups. Uplifting and wholesome, if a bit choppy along the way.
Three and a half stars for book, three stars for the audiobook version.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Tilly and the Crazy Eights is a sweetly sentimental and kindly written road-trip/bucket list novel by Monique Gray Smith. Released in 2020 by Second Story Press, it's 230 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately; it makes it so easy to find information with the search function.
Although this is a very simply written book and many of the plot turns were foreshadowed heavily, I was surprised by how much heart and honesty it had and how appealing the characters were. Although the writing is simple enough to be a YA novel, the subject matter isn't, there's a lot of distressing background in the narrative including substance abuse, loss of a child, trauma from the residential schools most of the elders were forced to endure, illness, racism, and death. There's also a lot of hope and positive role models, mutual affection and support, learning and respecting traditional culture, and a metric ton of personal growth.
The story is told from several points of view. The voices weren't all very distinct to me, and I did have to go back to double-check which character was which sometimes. The chapters are clearly marked with whichever character's voice is being written. This was especially problematic for me with the audiobook version, since the voices for the female characters weren't differentiated at all to my ear. The audiobook has a run time of 9 hours and 24 minutes and is read by Michelle Thrush.
The language is clean, and there's no on-page sexual content. There is also a positively portrayed LGBTQ+ character who is loyal, likeable, honest, and kind. There are a number of positive portrayals of indigenous people and culture in the book (it's the central theme) alongside some honest hard truths about colonizer culture and the detrimental impact on indigenous culture.
This would likely make a good selection for public library, book clubs, or reading groups. Uplifting and wholesome, if a bit choppy along the way.
Three and a half stars for book, three stars for the audiobook version.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
thecharmofit's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse and Sexual assault
foldingthepage_kayleigh's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
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
4.5
The summer road trip story I didn’t know I needed! So wholesome ♥️♥️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Infidelity, Cancer, Death, Child abuse, and Genocide
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Vomit
blueberry's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
encounterswiththemoon's review
2.0
Though this is a short book at just about 200 pages, I found myself having a hard time getting through it. I did enjoy the parts where we were able to experience a bit of understanding regarding the Elders & their situations but found myself bored with Tilly. When she went on her spiritual vortex excursion I skimmed through the pages because I just could not engage with her dialogue or her storyline.
When she sends a text to Mabel to let her know she's getting dinner, they come to find her anyway? Maybe I missed the part where this is explained because to me, it makes little sense that Tilly would explain that she was not going to be present for a meal & then the Elders decide that she's missing. It's also written out that they never received her text but, again, I skimmed most of this part because I was disengaged from the story.
This isn't a bad book by any means but it's superfluous. There are heavy subject matters addressed throughout this story & though I appreciate how we didn't have to read into a great deal of detail regarding every event, I felt a bit like I was sitting on a moving train trying to appreciate the scenery as a whole while only being able to set my gaze on a tree at a time.
When she sends a text to Mabel to let her know she's getting dinner, they come to find her anyway? Maybe I missed the part where this is explained because to me, it makes little sense that Tilly would explain that she was not going to be present for a meal & then the Elders decide that she's missing. It's also written out that they never received her text but, again, I skimmed most of this part because I was disengaged from the story.
This isn't a bad book by any means but it's superfluous. There are heavy subject matters addressed throughout this story & though I appreciate how we didn't have to read into a great deal of detail regarding every event, I felt a bit like I was sitting on a moving train trying to appreciate the scenery as a whole while only being able to set my gaze on a tree at a time.
zee's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
Tilly and the Crazy Eights is, at face value, a story of a woman and eight Elders, all Indigenous, going on a road trip to New Mexico hoping to accomplish some bucket list items. But, ultimately, it is a story of healing, reconciliation, and friendship. Eclectic, emotional, and overall just fun.
There were a lot of characters and relationships to keep straight, but Michelle Thrush did a great job narrating so that each character did have their own voice.
There were a lot of characters and relationships to keep straight, but Michelle Thrush did a great job narrating so that each character did have their own voice.
colindac's review
4.0
Indigenous grannies on a road trip was just what I was expecting, and needed at that moment.
ljrinaldi's review
5.0
To call this book a road trip, undermines what this book is really about. Yes, it is a trip from Vancouver, BC to Albuquerque New Mexico, but, as they say, the journey is the reward, not the destination.
To call this book a story about Elders trying to complete their bucket list also diminishes what this book is about. Yes, there is that goal, but there are reasons for the choices they make in the said list.
And to call this story a story of cancer, also diminishes what this story is about. Although Sarah has had cancer, there are eight other people on this trip, as well.
So, suffice it to say, that this is a lot going on in this book.
Tilly become the drive for a group of Elders from an unnamed First Nations group of women and men, who want to complete a bucket list. Each of them has a reason for going on the trip. Sarah, who has been fighting cancer, wants to dance at the world pow wow, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Pancho, wants to visit the redwoods. Lucy wants to visit Las Vegas.
It is not an easy road trip. There are obsticles along the way, and Tilly keeps seeing the vision of her grandmother, who is trying to give her advice.
And then, there is the Residential School scars that are left on some of the group. Or the marriage problems. Or the alcoholism. It is a tight group, but they each have their battles to fight, and live.
I have been to some of the places the group has been to, but not all of them. It was an interested, detailed trip, but the best part, if there can be a best part, was the arrival at the pow wow, and how resonating it made them all feel.
When I was a young teen, I discovered Science Fiction conventions. It was an amazing feeling, being among like-minded people, that shared the same thoughts, the same likes, the same obsessions as you did.
The way the group felt at the pow wow was how I felt discovering others like me, though I'm sure that sounds disrespectful, it is not meant to be.
This is a wonderful, sad, funny, touching story. And this is coming from someone who doesn't like to read journey books. But this was a journey of the soul, as well as the body, and it was and is well worth it. Highly recommended.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
To call this book a story about Elders trying to complete their bucket list also diminishes what this book is about. Yes, there is that goal, but there are reasons for the choices they make in the said list.
And to call this story a story of cancer, also diminishes what this story is about. Although Sarah has had cancer, there are eight other people on this trip, as well.
So, suffice it to say, that this is a lot going on in this book.
Tilly become the drive for a group of Elders from an unnamed First Nations group of women and men, who want to complete a bucket list. Each of them has a reason for going on the trip. Sarah, who has been fighting cancer, wants to dance at the world pow wow, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Pancho, wants to visit the redwoods. Lucy wants to visit Las Vegas.
It is not an easy road trip. There are obsticles along the way, and Tilly keeps seeing the vision of her grandmother, who is trying to give her advice.
And then, there is the Residential School scars that are left on some of the group. Or the marriage problems. Or the alcoholism. It is a tight group, but they each have their battles to fight, and live.
I have been to some of the places the group has been to, but not all of them. It was an interested, detailed trip, but the best part, if there can be a best part, was the arrival at the pow wow, and how resonating it made them all feel.
With pauses between her words, Lucy said, "Look...at..all..the Indians." Her tone was somewhere between a whisper and her regular voice.
When I was a young teen, I discovered Science Fiction conventions. It was an amazing feeling, being among like-minded people, that shared the same thoughts, the same likes, the same obsessions as you did.
The way the group felt at the pow wow was how I felt discovering others like me, though I'm sure that sounds disrespectful, it is not meant to be.
This is a wonderful, sad, funny, touching story. And this is coming from someone who doesn't like to read journey books. But this was a journey of the soul, as well as the body, and it was and is well worth it. Highly recommended.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
hnagle15's review
4.0
I really loved this story. We have an insight into Tilly and the Crazy Eight's lives and how they all experience their road trip differently.
Monique Gray Smith's writing is absolutely beautiful and I loved the way this story was written. This was on the Canada Reads 2021 Longlist and I really, really wish it had made the shortlist because it was such an amazing story.
Monique Gray Smith's writing is absolutely beautiful and I loved the way this story was written. This was on the Canada Reads 2021 Longlist and I really, really wish it had made the shortlist because it was such an amazing story.