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vtruelove's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Listened to this book during a long drive and it was superb! But it will 100% make you cry.
This follows the story of a Cherokee family and how they fall from their culture and are lead back to it by their elders abd community. It spans several generations and addresses the impacts of various forms of addiction on native families. It also addresses how addition can turn into abuse and how people can heal from the effects of both on their lives.
This book was beautifully written and I would 100% recommend it to anyone who's been impacted by addiction or abuse in their lives.
This follows the story of a Cherokee family and how they fall from their culture and are lead back to it by their elders abd community. It spans several generations and addresses the impacts of various forms of addiction on native families. It also addresses how addition can turn into abuse and how people can heal from the effects of both on their lives.
This book was beautifully written and I would 100% recommend it to anyone who's been impacted by addiction or abuse in their lives.
jukebugging's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
- 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
shlymiller's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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
Compelling and deeply hopeful story. I think I would have benefited from reading a physical copy or maybe just having a family tree in front of me. I wasn’t always sure who in Ever’s family was the narrator at any given time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Child abuse, Child death, Death of parent, Drug use, and Drug abuse
biblio_'s review
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Addiction, Child abuse, Drug use, and Physical abuse
atreegrowsinbooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
4.5
Wow did this book wreck me.
I really enjoyed how we got to learn about Ever through the eyes of his family members. I think that’s a very interesting way to allow a reader to get to know a character without directly hearing their perspective.
The narrators were fantastic too, both the author and Rainy Fields had a great speaking presence. I was drawn in by their voices.
I will say, that at times I was a little lost as to who the family member was we were hearing from and how they were related to Ever. I didn’t realize until after I finished the audio and borrowed the ebook version that there is a family tree in the front of the book. That would have been helpful to refer back to during my listen.
While I did like how the conclusion of the book was in Ever’s perspective, I wish we had gotten more directly from him. All in all, a heart wrenching book that I’ll be sure to keep thinking about. Definitely will be looking out for more from this author.
I really enjoyed how we got to learn about Ever through the eyes of his family members. I think that’s a very interesting way to allow a reader to get to know a character without directly hearing their perspective.
The narrators were fantastic too, both the author and Rainy Fields had a great speaking presence. I was drawn in by their voices.
I will say, that at times I was a little lost as to who the family member was we were hearing from and how they were related to Ever. I didn’t realize until after I finished the audio and borrowed the ebook version that there is a family tree in the front of the book. That would have been helpful to refer back to during my listen.
While I did like how the conclusion of the book was in Ever’s perspective, I wish we had gotten more directly from him. All in all, a heart wrenching book that I’ll be sure to keep thinking about. Definitely will be looking out for more from this author.
mabelrooney's review
emotional
medium-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
4.0
slicciardi's review
4.0
I loved the way this travelled across different POVs from people in Ever’s life. The audio was great but i wish i read it. I think it would have been a richer experience
cat_book_lady's review
5.0
I need to be VERY careful here because the last thing I want to do is dishonor such a spectacular book written by Oscar Hokeah, and my words will absolutely pale in comparison to the beauty of his debut novel. There is obviously an unfortunate paucity of Native American authors who have been able to get their stories published, yet we have much to learn by sitting at their feet and inhaling their wisdom. Hokeah brings to the forefront the fierce family ties of both Kiowa and Cherokee generations pulled together by a transcending love amidst grinding poverty and abuse, revealing that even through haunting traumas of ravaging addiction and anger, the comforting blanket of a family's love is strongly magical and healing.
I gleaned much about the power of the human spirit and the strength it takes to battle inner demons. I learned much about the destruction that people can do to each other with words and in deeds. Most importantly, I found a story that will stay with me forever, much like the loving quilt that now wraps around my soul.
I gleaned much about the power of the human spirit and the strength it takes to battle inner demons. I learned much about the destruction that people can do to each other with words and in deeds. Most importantly, I found a story that will stay with me forever, much like the loving quilt that now wraps around my soul.
smlaurie's review
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
4.0
This is a work of fiction, but it seems to be strongly influenced by the story of the author's family. Names and locations seem to have *not been changed. There's no grand plot--it's the chronological story of Ever and his extended family. Every chapter jumps ahead a few years and is told through the perspective of another family member and Ever is always present in their story, starting with his mother when he is a baby.
It's a culturally rich story full of familial connections and hardships lived by imperfect humans that strive for something better. It is those connections that are the center of this story. There is no great climax, but a simple one of hope and resilience, forgiveness and redemption, all possible because of family.
Taylor Swift Reading Challenge #114: End Game/A book with multiple POV.
It's a culturally rich story full of familial connections and hardships lived by imperfect humans that strive for something better. It is those connections that are the center of this story. There is no great climax, but a simple one of hope and resilience, forgiveness and redemption, all possible because of family.
Taylor Swift Reading Challenge #114: End Game/A book with multiple POV.
melisbooked's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
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
5.0
A beautifully written multigenerational story told from different POVs that center around a family and their connections to their indigeneity and each other. I loved the alternating perspectives and was very impressed with this author. This book had echoes of The Five Wounds through its representation of family dynamics.