musicalpopcorn's review against another edition

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challenging informative reflective medium-paced

3.75


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yellowcape's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.5

Honestly the only reason I deducted a 1/2 ⭐️ is because it took me so long to get through but I must stress this is not at all the thought of the book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, I just found it hard to find the time to read it in what has been a pretty hectic time for me personally. It is very well written and super readable. Coming from someone who has never successfully completed a work of non-fiction until today, that’s some pretty high praise. Just read it honestly it will open your eyes, enrage you, and educate you. 

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lanid's review against another edition

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challenging informative reflective

4.75


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kelly_e's review against another edition

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5.0

Title: The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America
Author: Thomas King
Genre: Non Fiction
Rating: 5.00
Pub Date: November 13, 2012

T H R E E • W O R D S

Timeless • Sharp • Truthful

📖 S Y N O P S I S

Rich with dark and light, pain and magic, The Inconvenient Indian distills the insights gleaned from Thomas King's critical and personal meditation on what it means to be "Indian" in North America, weaving the curiously circular tale of the relationship between non-Natives and Natives in the centuries since the two first encountered each other. In the process, King refashions old stories about historical events and figures, takes a sideways look at film and pop culture, relates his own complex experiences with activism, and articulates a deep and revolutionary understanding of the cumulative effects of ever-shifting laws and treaties on Native peoples and lands.

💭 T H O U G H T S
I will openly admit it has taken me far too long to read The Inconvenient Indian as this is an important and essential non fiction book about Canadian history. Thomas King details systemic and long-standing injustices facing Indigenous people in North America for generations with clarity and wit.

I listened to the audiobook while following along with the physical book, and I cannot recommend this method more. King illuminates centuries of white colonization that has impacted Indigenous communities. It is accessible, meaning it easy to read and will inspire deep thought and reflection. It is a book for understanding. A book for learning. A book for moving into a better future together. There is something for everyone here.

The Inconvenient Indian was my second King book (my first non fiction) it is evident he is a gifted storyteller. The underlying tone is serious, yet King takes a insightful and playful approach in putting this important part of history out there. There is significant and deeper meaning to the words of the page. Simply a put this is a fantastic piece of Canadian literature and a must read for all.

📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• anyone with a social conscience
• all Canadians
• book clubs

🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S

"Instead of trying to kill the Indian to save the child, North America might have gone into partnership with the various nation, and, together, they could have come up with an education plan that would have complemented Native cultures and, perhaps, even enriched White culture at the same time."

"We will never have true civilization until we have learned to recognize the rights of others."

"It was a pleasant conversation, and, the more we talked, the more I felt as though I were talking to a bowl of Jello." 

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karcitis's review against another edition

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challenging dark funny informative medium-paced

5.0


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mg_niso's review

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challenging reflective

3.25


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windspice's review

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funny hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

3.75


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foldingthepage_kayleigh's review against another edition

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challenging informative reflective slow-paced

3.75


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maddyontheoffbeat's review

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hopeful informative reflective slow-paced

4.0

For a non-fiction book, this kept my attention surprisingly well. King's writing style is sarcastic and funny, and it's quite the juxtaposition to the heavy content of this book. I did find myself crying at the end just a little, but this book isn't meant to be lighthearted and fun.  

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tinyd26's review against another edition

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challenging emotional informative reflective slow-paced

3.75

In recent years, I've had a very hard time staying focused and engaged when reading non-fiction. It says a lot that this is the first non-fiction book I've managed to finish in years. I'd imagine if I had a better attention span for the genre, I would have flown through it. And really, considering the amount of detail packed into this modest volume, it is a quick read. King has infused this book with a generous amount of humor (largely sarcasm), which makes it quite engaging, not least of all by countering the gravitas of the subject matter. That being said, King seems to be a BIG fan of lists. I have to admit, I did a good amount of skimming through these after the first few, knowing that I would not retain all the names, anyway. 

King is extremely upfront from the outset that while he respects academic pursuit and includes (a lot of) history here, he is not unbiased, and also includes a good number of more personal anecdotes and less verifiable historical stories. If you're looking for strictly hard-boiled, fact-based history, this isn't the place to get it. But for me the mix of verified history, anecdotes, discussion, and humor worked well. The book is accessible and readable while providing plenty of gut-punchingly impactful information about the history of the relationship between First Nations and North American governments. 

This book was just what I needed to spur me to read more about (it also references plenty of other books which are now on my TBR) the history, struggles, and perspectives of indigenous populations.



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