Reviews

Fragments d'un monde en ruine by Thomas King

cstange17's review against another edition

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emotional informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0

thislibrarianisreading's review against another edition

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challenging funny reflective sad slow-paced

5.0

anneke_b's review against another edition

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5.0

This was a great read, I savoured so many of the poems! A real treat!

ciaralo's review against another edition

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4.0

Brilliant.

colindac's review against another edition

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5.0

What he said.

Folks without an Indigenous, and specifically Canadian historical context won't get it. My mind is blown.

areadingpotato's review against another edition

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5.0

I would number my favourites, but, as it is, it's all of them.

Each piece is something that you could appreciate singularly, yet at the same time the entire collection is a cohesive narrative that is worth following. And rereading.

Note to self: I would like to do an art piece specifically on number 14.

emilyhays's review against another edition

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4.0

I've read one thomas king novel, and one thomas king nonfiction, so I knew I wanted to pick up some poetry. I was a little surprised by the style, it felt a bit literal to me, especially compared to his novel-writing style which is FILLED with allegory and references. Overall though, I did really enjoy this.

honeyblood's review against another edition

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5.0

Nothing passes for favour here.
All talk is razor-toothed.
Take nothing from the hand
that offers friendship.
In this place,
all promises are bruises
in good suits.

amy_fw's review against another edition

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challenging funny reflective medium-paced

5.0

cb_reads_reviews's review against another edition

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4.0

Thomas King, best known for his influential and iconic book about Indigenous history, “The Inconvenient Indian” and novels like “Green Grass, Running Water” and his “Dreadful Water” mystery series has published his first book of poetry, “77 Fragments of a Familiar Ruin.” King, known for his sardonic wit and vivid storytelling brings his talent and his experience to this new collection. Each fragment provokes our understanding of ourselves in this modern and consumer-based society, incorporating mythical characters and animals, like Coyote and Raven, from King’s oft-told stories (hear “The Women Who Fell from the Sky” in King’s Massey Lectures - available on CBC archives and on iTunes). Political without being dogmatic, challenging behaviour and action, as in Fragment no. 34 which suggests an amnesia in the collective will of Canadian society to recognise and address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. This often thought provoking series is an excellent and enjoyable read.