Reviews

The building tension of the tragic event that frames this novel is so respectfully crafted. Meeting the author was an honor. I sincerely hope to add this to my curriculum.

giulia_sioux's review against another edition

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challenging emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

quaintmetropolis's review against another edition

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emotional reflective 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

4.0

There There starts and ends with a bang. It tells multiple related vignettes of “Urban Indians” living in Oakland, CA, whose stories all coalesce to a forceful concluding event. The community ranges from full Native Americans, mixed race, adopted, and those that grew up without the knowledge of their culture. However, they all carry the complicated nature of Native blood.

Additionally posed is the question of who is the modern Native American? These characters represent their history while subsequently are daunted by it. Many struggle to believe they are “authentic” enough, but some hope to find answers through documentary, short story collections, or finding work at an Indian Center.

The advantages and dangers of an abused, forced community are mirrored with the modernity of technology. One character moves to a reservation in an attempt to find community only to be met with violence, another feels disconnected and learns to embrace their culture solely from the internet, the culminating incident for all is resulted by dangerous advances in technology.

Although not a perfect novel, some of the connections between characters felt forced and structurally there could have been better flow, however I found this an electric read that had me thoroughly gripped and broke my heart. Like the nature of music referenced throughout, Orange’s writing is gritty, filled with anger and dynamism, yet is poetic, lyrical, and emotional.

I loved the prologue and interlude asides that really sang with fury. I’m still unsure of the narrative choices like some characters’ chapters are first person and some third as well as the reason for the chapter in the second person, which had some of the best lines. My theory is those that are on the journey of finding their voice are in the third person, solidifying them into the history and story of Native people, while those that are lost remain in first person. Perhaps the second person POV is a bit of a catch all person for us to inhabit. Like stepping into the shoes of someone trying to find their culture, struggle with addiction as many in the community do, so are partially kicked out, and without having their story reach success or revelation it’s cut short by violence.

I also didn’t feel a common critique that there were too many characters. I felt that Orange wanted to create a sweeping view of a community without answers. I did initially feel that many of these stories are cut short before they were fleshed out, but that is the point of a massacre.

bookiebooks's review against another edition

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challenging emotional informative reflective tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

Content Warnings

catfishmaggie's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

4.25

katiejamesreads's review against another edition

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3.5

Gorgeous writing about history and community (or lack thereof, for some folks). Great audiobook narration. The plot itself was lacking for me, and not enough time with each character to get to know them either. Would recommend to a friend.

kshertz's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This book was incredibly deep and complex, involving multiple characters and timelines! It’s all worth it when it comes together though. You see how interconnected everyone is and how interconnected we all are in the end. I was profoundly moved at the end and even though I know there’s probably a lot I missed, I left the book learning so much and feeling changed by this book which is a mark of a great book in my opinion.

Content Warnings

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