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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
There were so many parts to this book that I enjoyed and so many parts that left me confused.
In general the 'magical' parts of the story were the most difficult for me to understand. The characters in this storyline blended together and the tale they were telling kept returning to the beginning leaving me baffled for pretty much the entire book.
I did really enjoy the Dead Dog Cafe and Eli's fight over the hydro dam construction. I found both storylines very interesting.
There is so much about this book that I would have missed if I hadn't been reading it as part of a book club read. Many of the character names and Canadian history I didn't catch myself but had pointed out later.
In general the 'magical' parts of the story were the most difficult for me to understand. The characters in this storyline blended together and the tale they were telling kept returning to the beginning leaving me baffled for pretty much the entire book.
I did really enjoy the Dead Dog Cafe and Eli's fight over the hydro dam construction. I found both storylines very interesting.
There is so much about this book that I would have missed if I hadn't been reading it as part of a book club read. Many of the character names and Canadian history I didn't catch myself but had pointed out later.
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
funny
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
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was difficult to follow, but I had no trouble finishing it, and strangely liked it. Seemed to me that King was having fun, and I did too, in a weird kind of way.
I absolutely loved this! It was such a pleasant surprise for a book read for school.
Green Grass, Running Water is a strange book, and it is a confusing book, but don't let that deter you. This book is confusing in a thrilling sort of way, but, slowly, its multiple storylines begin to come together. It's also just a highly enjoyable read. The book is sharp and witty, with a large cast of well-crafted, memorable characters. I found myself surprised how much I ended up liking Charlie's storyline, but my favourites were probably Alberta and Latisha... and Coyote, of course.
Although GGRW does a good job of dealing with Indigenous issues, such as the navigation of an Indigenous identity in the late 20th century and the long-term, damaging effect of racist portrayals of Indigenous peoples in media through history (read: John Wayne movies). But King never really strays from the novel's comedic tones: I particularly enjoyed his satirization of Westerns, Biblical narratives, and Old Classic Novels written by white men through history that involve encounters with Indigenous peoples. A lot of the time, this comes through with some really delightful wordplay. (C.B. Cologne = Cristobal Colon) And it makes the more serious moments hit even harder.
Overall, really enjoyed this, and I'd definitely want to read it again just for pleasure one day.
Memorable quote:
“In a democracy, everyone gets a turn.”
“Nonsense, in a democracy, only people who can afford it get a turn.”
Green Grass, Running Water is a strange book, and it is a confusing book, but don't let that deter you. This book is confusing in a thrilling sort of way, but, slowly, its multiple storylines begin to come together. It's also just a highly enjoyable read. The book is sharp and witty, with a large cast of well-crafted, memorable characters. I found myself surprised how much I ended up liking Charlie's storyline, but my favourites were probably Alberta and Latisha... and Coyote, of course.
Although GGRW does a good job of dealing with Indigenous issues, such as the navigation of an Indigenous identity in the late 20th century and the long-term, damaging effect of racist portrayals of Indigenous peoples in media through history (read: John Wayne movies). But King never really strays from the novel's comedic tones: I particularly enjoyed his satirization of Westerns, Biblical narratives, and Old Classic Novels written by white men through history that involve encounters with Indigenous peoples. A lot of the time, this comes through with some really delightful wordplay. (C.B. Cologne = Cristobal Colon) And it makes the more serious moments hit even harder.
Overall, really enjoyed this, and I'd definitely want to read it again just for pleasure one day.
Memorable quote:
“In a democracy, everyone gets a turn.”
“Nonsense, in a democracy, only people who can afford it get a turn.”
Robert May has lost his mind, he put Moby Dick in this one?? He can't be stopped.
Men suck. I should know because I am one. This book—at least how I read it—is about various men sucking in various ways. King deconstructs colonial gender norms metaphorically in his manipulation of Christian myths, as well as the roles male and female characters play in the story. It's all very satirical, and that's pretty cool, I guess?? I don't know; I found myself not really caring. The way the more mystical Coyote crap is presented here is pretty cool; structurally, it mimics the format of oral storytelling which it seeks to emulate. But it's pretty hard to follow—by the time I figured out what was going on, the book was ending. Maybe that's just because I'm dumb, but I was scratching my head a few times.
But by far, the best stuff in this book is what King says about gender. Men are all Lionels and Charlies; it made me reflect on how I suck in my own man ways. I think the most interesting takeaway I had from this book was how I felt about Alberta. I really did not like her, but I think that says a lot more about me than it does about her. She was annoying, and I thought the way she treated Lionel and Charlie was kinda gross—but again, I think this has more to do with me, Charlie, Lionel, and men in general than it does with Alberta.
I really liked Eli and his and Karen's sections of the book. It's in these parts that King's ideas of Indigenous peoples "dancing" between traditional Indigeneity and contemporary Western culture appear strongest to me. The parts with Charlie and his dad were also super good, and I really liked Charlie's ending. Also, Eli and Sifton are SO in love.
But yeah, this book was super weird, but it was kinda good. I didn't care much for the stuff with Coyote and friends, but I guess that's kinda what this book is about. There's a lot of interesting crap on gender, and I tried to focus mostly on that. King's depiction of men is sadly accurate, and I found his reversal of gender roles within Christian myths to be particularly effective in illustrating men's primary drive from base desires.
If you're into Indigenous stuff, you'll probably get a lot more out of this book than I did. I really only read this because of Robert May and the pretty cover (and Sarah Rose)
There's some stuff about carpets in here, too, so maybe if you're a big carpet fan, you'll find this one enjoyable.
Men suck. I should know because I am one. This book—at least how I read it—is about various men sucking in various ways. King deconstructs colonial gender norms metaphorically in his manipulation of Christian myths, as well as the roles male and female characters play in the story. It's all very satirical, and that's pretty cool, I guess?? I don't know; I found myself not really caring. The way the more mystical Coyote crap is presented here is pretty cool; structurally, it mimics the format of oral storytelling which it seeks to emulate. But it's pretty hard to follow—by the time I figured out what was going on, the book was ending. Maybe that's just because I'm dumb, but I was scratching my head a few times.
But by far, the best stuff in this book is what King says about gender. Men are all Lionels and Charlies; it made me reflect on how I suck in my own man ways. I think the most interesting takeaway I had from this book was how I felt about Alberta. I really did not like her, but I think that says a lot more about me than it does about her. She was annoying, and I thought the way she treated Lionel and Charlie was kinda gross—but again, I think this has more to do with me, Charlie, Lionel, and men in general than it does with Alberta.
I really liked Eli and his and Karen's sections of the book. It's in these parts that King's ideas of Indigenous peoples "dancing" between traditional Indigeneity and contemporary Western culture appear strongest to me. The parts with Charlie and his dad were also super good, and I really liked Charlie's ending. Also, Eli and Sifton are SO in love.
But yeah, this book was super weird, but it was kinda good. I didn't care much for the stuff with Coyote and friends, but I guess that's kinda what this book is about. There's a lot of interesting crap on gender, and I tried to focus mostly on that. King's depiction of men is sadly accurate, and I found his reversal of gender roles within Christian myths to be particularly effective in illustrating men's primary drive from base desires.
If you're into Indigenous stuff, you'll probably get a lot more out of this book than I did. I really only read this because of Robert May and the pretty cover (and Sarah Rose)
There's some stuff about carpets in here, too, so maybe if you're a big carpet fan, you'll find this one enjoyable.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No