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hanbanshee's review against another edition
5.0
This incredible book goes well beyond a celebration of Indigenous literatures, exploring the role of story in whatever world and community we live in, and the vital importance of moving from "stories that harm" (like pretty much all the dominant narratives about Indigeneity under colonial-settler regimes) and towards "stories that heal," told in the voices of Indigenous writers. Often this healing is not to do with easefulness or escapism, but rather with truth-telling, honesty, relationality, situatedness, queerness, and Survivance (Vizenor).
Highly recommended in both written and audiobook forms. The appendix/notes also contain invaluable resources for any keen readers of literature and scholars of all kinds (especially for those, like myself, who are non-Indigenous settlers thinking-with what it means to live and work on Stolen Land). Daniel Heath Justice is a beautiful writer, scholar, and speaker - a special treat to hear it in the author's own voice.
Highly recommended in both written and audiobook forms. The appendix/notes also contain invaluable resources for any keen readers of literature and scholars of all kinds (especially for those, like myself, who are non-Indigenous settlers thinking-with what it means to live and work on Stolen Land). Daniel Heath Justice is a beautiful writer, scholar, and speaker - a special treat to hear it in the author's own voice.
rutt's review against another edition
4.0
i love questions about how to be and become human, and in the first chapter [a: daniel heath justice|49527|Daniel Heath Justice|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1572452896p2/49527.jpg] tackles exactly that. four dense chapters tackle four questions through brief thoughtfilled literature reviews. this text introduced me to so many more books and authors that i had never heard of. my reading list grows!
fallingletters's review against another edition
5.0
April 26 2020: Almost two years to do the day since I first picked this book, I started reading it once again during Dewey's April Readathon and this time I finished it!
May 8 2018: Will have to finish this when I get back from my summer job, as the library there doesn’t have a copy.
May 8 2018: Will have to finish this when I get back from my summer job, as the library there doesn’t have a copy.
mnboyer's review against another edition
5.0
This is a must read if you are interested in Indigenous literature. I cannot tell you how many times as a BA, MA, and now PhD I have been asked "why literature?" when I discuss my field of study (Indigenous/Maori/American Indian literature). Over and over again I head "aren't there more important issues than books?" because the average person has no idea how significant literature and oral tradition actually is!
Read this book. It will help you find ways to express how important literature is. This was wonderfully written, has a lot of great information, and I am a huge fan of the listing of authors/novels at the end of the work if you are looking for more reading material. Wonderful. Best day of reading I've done in quite some time!
Read this book. It will help you find ways to express how important literature is. This was wonderfully written, has a lot of great information, and I am a huge fan of the listing of authors/novels at the end of the work if you are looking for more reading material. Wonderful. Best day of reading I've done in quite some time!
shinaabikwe's review against another edition
Library loan ended. This is a dense book and I need more time to engage with it. Going to wait until I can purchase for my home library.
rat_girly's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation and Racism
Moderate: Cultural appropriation, War, and Racial slurs
Minor: Alcoholism
jenndaniells's review against another edition
4.0
This book was incredibly helpful and provides a plethora of resources of Indigenous Literature. It is so important to do the work and continually “keep the fire going” as was said in the last chapter. Truth and reconciliation is an ongoing process and it is something that settlers, like myself, need to practice and maintain even within the mundane, every day lifestyles we practice. We are all interconnected to the land and each other. It is important to do the work and continuously learn.
I really loved this quote:
“This, to me, is the heart of decolonization. Love isn’t saccharine sentiment. It’s not easy answers, or getting along all the time. It’s difficult, and fierce, and fabulous. It’s fragile, and it’s strong. It sometimes lasts a lifetime, and sometimes it ends, but it is always - always - ours.” (111)
I’m very happy I read this book. It helped deepen my knowledge on this topic, and will help me teach and navigate the Indigenous literature course in the fall!
My only critique is that I wish I had more context / more analysis of some of the literature that is discussed! It would make it longer, but I’m so fascinated and want to know more!
I really loved this quote:
“This, to me, is the heart of decolonization. Love isn’t saccharine sentiment. It’s not easy answers, or getting along all the time. It’s difficult, and fierce, and fabulous. It’s fragile, and it’s strong. It sometimes lasts a lifetime, and sometimes it ends, but it is always - always - ours.” (111)
I’m very happy I read this book. It helped deepen my knowledge on this topic, and will help me teach and navigate the Indigenous literature course in the fall!
My only critique is that I wish I had more context / more analysis of some of the literature that is discussed! It would make it longer, but I’m so fascinated and want to know more!
cyntismiles's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
5.0
I really enjoyed this book! The premise is pretty simple/straightforward (the title says it all) and contained within that subject. I thought the “arguments”/sections were organized and structured in an understandable and enjoyable way. It is definitely an overview or big picture look at why indigenous literatures matter but I enjoyed exploring this topic. I already agreed that indigenous literature mattered before reading the book but after reading this, I have a lot more reasonings and examples surrounding that idea. The book also connects literature to many aspects of life that I hadn’t necessarily thought of in that way before which I enjoyed.
I also enjoyed the authors reading in the audiobook. They had a clear commitment to an equivalent reading experience to the physical copy as they read the entire bibliography, acknowledgments, dedications etc which I have never seen in an audiobook before.
I enjoyed how this book approached the subject from a very narrative perspective. Because this is a book about literature/art/storytelling, the author referenced a lot of books that sounded very interesting and are now added to my reading list.
I would recommend this to anyone who wants to know more about indigenous literature in the modern era in an overview. If you are already well versed in this topic, this book may be a little too much of an overview/entry point for you.
I also enjoyed the authors reading in the audiobook. They had a clear commitment to an equivalent reading experience to the physical copy as they read the entire bibliography, acknowledgments, dedications etc which I have never seen in an audiobook before.
I enjoyed how this book approached the subject from a very narrative perspective. Because this is a book about literature/art/storytelling, the author referenced a lot of books that sounded very interesting and are now added to my reading list.
I would recommend this to anyone who wants to know more about indigenous literature in the modern era in an overview. If you are already well versed in this topic, this book may be a little too much of an overview/entry point for you.