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foldingthepage_kayleigh's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This deeply resonated with me and I spent a lot of time crying. I’d recommend this for anyone trying to parse through intergenerational trauma and their own healing journey.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Medical content, Child abuse, Colonisation, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Violence, Death, Death of parent, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Child death, and Abandonment
Moderate: Alcoholism and Alcohol
Minor: Pregnancy
mlouie21's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
kamckim's review against another edition
5.0
Henderson's traditional yet powerful art appeals to readers who are immersed in comics and visual media. Robertson's storytelling meshes contemporary Native live with the stories of causality - and the strength - of a people who have experienced generational trauma. There are no easy answers and no excuses. The issues are presented in a way that seems to say "it is what it is" while also hinting at reconciliation. An issue more complex and powerful than might be expected from a graphic novel. It is important to note that this story is particular to the Plains Cree. Other tribes/peoples dressed differently and experienced hardships at different times than are described in; however, there are some atrocities that are similar and/or shared for all Native descendants.
allireadsmke's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I didn't love this art style. The story itself is very important and so visceral. All of the historical pieces where raw and emotional. However, I felt like the conclusion with his father was wrapped up too nicely. It felt like... "Oh you tried to kill yourself, so now I'm healed and ready to be back in your life." But coming back at that time after 16 years of not trying with your child at all.... Yea that's not going to resolve because you tell them some stories about your life and past. I dunno. I liked it, but something was missing.
jaeliyah's review against another edition
4.0
This is a mostly well-told, thoughtful read. Pro -- it's an honest and genuine story of depression through the lens of people of color in a time when mental illness is so often considered a white person's affliction. Con -- what it lacks in depth it overcompensates for in melodrama, which really makes it more a 3.5.
goldentortoisebeetle's review against another edition
challenging
dark
Another gut punch from this author/illustrator duo. I think this is a compilation of 4 issues of a comic. It's a great length- sometimes the stories from this publishing house feel too short. This one is not rushed. It takes its time to let you feel the emotions.
Three centuries. Seven generations of people. Blood memory is strong; intergenerational trauma is also strong. We watch the characters struggle deeply in each generation. They lose things they can never recover. They grieve their whole lives. They seek so desperately to heal but in recent generations have lost hope altogether. They carry the pain forward.
The unsung hero of this story is the mom. She tells the stories of the ancestors. She moves her husband and son forward into healing by refusing to let them go. I want to hear her story.
Three centuries. Seven generations of people. Blood memory is strong; intergenerational trauma is also strong. We watch the characters struggle deeply in each generation. They lose things they can never recover. They grieve their whole lives. They seek so desperately to heal but in recent generations have lost hope altogether. They carry the pain forward.
The unsung hero of this story is the mom. She tells the stories of the ancestors. She moves her husband and son forward into healing by refusing to let them go. I want to hear her story.
chrispyschaller's review against another edition
3.0
Ambitious portrait of Cree history since the conquest never quite settles long enough on one character.
pixieprose's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This was a powerful, moving story about generational trauma, the evils of colonialism, the power of family, and three importance of forgiveness and healing. This work touches on the issue of residential schools, which is something that in some way touches every indigenous family of North America. It's a touching graphic novel and well worth a read by people of all ages.