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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
This was my "Book of the Month" club January pick and I appreciated how the author combined Cherokee stories and culture into the narrative. I found it interesting how the death of a loved one has a different long-term impact on members of a family, though I felt myself wondering at times if the action was real or imagined. Once I let myself embrace was I felt was a more non-linear narrative, I enjoyed the read more. I also now know who Jim Thorpe is, as I had to google the name after reading it so many times!
Goodreads deleted my long review so fml. Overall Tsala and Edgar had great to good chapters dealing with trauma and Cherokee mythology and also providing a look into the trail of tears from a first hand perspective.
Sonja was a rough character she actively talked about how she always goes after younger men because she likes them young. This is a gross statement and I understand that she is a hyper sexual female and this is her way of coping but something about a 31 year old going solely after 20-22 year olds is a weird and gross thing regardless of gender.
With Maria’s chapters I loved her discussion on grief and dealing with a loved one developing Alzheimer’s. I also loved Wyatt’s character and the way that he breathed life back into both Maria and Ernest. I did not enjoy how Ernest began to “heal” from Alzheimer’s and his attributing it to the arrival of Wyatt. They discussed that he was now able to remember things because of this child and how they were reminded of their deceased son. It took on a spiritual aspect with Ernest continually saying that he is the spirit of their dead son and that cured him. Idk as someone who has people in their life suffering from Alzheimer’s it felt gross to listen to those chapters because it’s almost a mockery to me because no matter how much you can hope and pray that is not a reality. That plot point soured the whole book and really took a 4 star book dealing with grief into a 2 star book that I would not recommend.
Sonja was a rough character she actively talked about how she always goes after younger men because she likes them young. This is a gross statement and I understand that she is a hyper sexual female and this is her way of coping but something about a 31 year old going solely after 20-22 year olds is a weird and gross thing regardless of gender.
With Maria’s chapters I loved her discussion on grief and dealing with a loved one developing Alzheimer’s. I also loved Wyatt’s character and the way that he breathed life back into both Maria and Ernest. I did not enjoy how Ernest began to “heal” from Alzheimer’s and his attributing it to the arrival of Wyatt. They discussed that he was now able to remember things because of this child and how they were reminded of their deceased son. It took on a spiritual aspect with Ernest continually saying that he is the spirit of their dead son and that cured him. Idk as someone who has people in their life suffering from Alzheimer’s it felt gross to listen to those chapters because it’s almost a mockery to me because no matter how much you can hope and pray that is not a reality. That plot point soured the whole book and really took a 4 star book dealing with grief into a 2 star book that I would not recommend.
Interesting stories throughout. Liked the Native American stories told by the elder. I struggled with the flow and jumping from one person’s narrative to the next. Couldn’t stand Edgar or the gaming side story. Liked Sonja and Maria’s stories the best.
I’m glad I read this novel about indigenous Americans, but I didn’t ‘enjoy’ it per se. It’s so very similar to, and my review is the same as, SHARKS IN THE TIME OF SAVIORS: Dense, cerebral, visceral and haunting, it is the portrait of a family as it slowly falls apart. The multiple POV chapters contain mostly internal monologue and shed light on the effects of racism and colonization.
3.5 stars
I enjoyed this since it gave me a window into the life of Cherokee folklore and I was so intrigued by the magical realism in this book. It didn't quite hit 4 stars for me since I often found myself getting distracted while reading, but I appreciated a peek into a way of life I really know nothing about.
I enjoyed this since it gave me a window into the life of Cherokee folklore and I was so intrigued by the magical realism in this book. It didn't quite hit 4 stars for me since I often found myself getting distracted while reading, but I appreciated a peek into a way of life I really know nothing about.
The audiobook was so good. I don't know if my experience would have been as great if I had read it physically. I loved the different actors for each narrator.
The death of a son and a brother, Ray, effects a Cherokee family in different ways, yet years later during an anniversary of his death a strange tie to the spirit world starts effecting all the family members in unique ways. I thought this was pretty good. I particularly liked Maria and Ernest encountering the foster boy who reminded them of their son and heals her husband's Alzheimer's, and the youngest son, Edgar going to the spirit world and even Sonja's fling with her "love" interest. I appreciated the interplay between their current situations and the past of their ancestor. If anything I just got a little lost on the spirit realm aspect but I thought it was an interesting story.
What a beautiful story depicting generational trauma through a Native family.
The removal and colonization of tribes hundreds of years ago still affects Native families today. Hobson was able to demonstrate this through his artful writing.
I will read anything by this author!
The removal and colonization of tribes hundreds of years ago still affects Native families today. Hobson was able to demonstrate this through his artful writing.
I will read anything by this author!
I want to read indigenous fiction, however so kept getting frustrated because there were a lot of stories going on while simultaneously having nothing going on. Didn’t wanna keep reading, but hopefully will find another indigenous story I can read soon!
I'm perplexed by this book. I get a lot of the symbolism, but the choppy sentences and disjointed story line were not terribly enjoyable for me.