Reviews

Was going to give this 4 stars but then I didn't like how rushed the ending felt. Otherwise enjoyed the in-depth exploration of the characters over time.

lisamchuk's review against another edition

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4.0

I decided to read Monkey Beach because I was still on and aboriginal literature kick, plus the main character has the same first/middle name combo as me. Couldn't pass that up! When the story opens, Lisamarie's 17 year old brother Jimmy has been lost at sea. From there, the book moves back and forth through time as Lisa tells the story of their childhood and wayward teenage years, growing up in a contemporary Haisla community on the west coast of B.C. She weaves the lives of her family and friends throughout, and includes compelling lessons about native culture and traditional ways of life. As the book progresses, it becomes quite clear Lisa has spiritual gifts and those are integral to her survival as she goes searching for her brother. The narrative is interesting and funny and tragic all at the same time.

This novel was fantastic! It was almost lyrical, full of rich description about nature and customs and folktales. Sometimes books that bounce in time annoy me but Robinson does a superb job of not making the time shifts jarring or confusing. I didn't want the story to end, I was all wrapped up in the setting and lives of the characters.

And then it ended. Just ended. And it's not that it ended badly or that I was unsatisfied, it's just that it ended. I just wanted another page, heck another paragraph. I guess that's the mark of a good book and a thought provoking ended?

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more from contemporary aboriginal literature. I taught me about life in a community in a different part of Canada. It was a great follow up to Indian Horse and I understand why they chose it as a book of the year.

sophia_p_g's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny informative 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

5.0

cecewychwood's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious reflective 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? Yes

2.0

novemberscorpio's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious 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

veganheathen's review against another edition

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5.0

This is one of those books that sticks with you long after you’ve finished it. I keep turning things over in my mind. Towards the end of the book, I realized that Jimmy and Karaoke/Adelaine are also in one of the short stories from Traplines.

Lisa feels like such a real person, as do her friends and family. Robinson is always great at writing people believably. I care about them and want them to succeed, despite or sometimes because of their flaws and idiosyncrasies.

martinvaino's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious reflective sad 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? It's complicated

4.75

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