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4.4 AVERAGE
4.4 AVERAGE
Chanie Wenjack was a real Indigenous boy who died in 1966 trying to make his way home after escaping from one of the residential schools where he might have been raped and abused, like so many other Indigenous children torn from his family. He didn't know that his home was 400 miles away, and sadly died of exposure within two days.
This is my second time reading a book about Chanie, [b:Wenjack|30079906|Wenjack|Joseph Boyden|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1469406055s/30079906.jpg|50500001] being the first. It was just as upsetting the second time and will continue to be every time I hear stories like this.
The artwork is absolutely stunning, very beautifully coloured. The song lyrics that accompany them are disturbing and sad, as they should be. I like that there is no dialogue and that the story is told by art and lyrics alone. If you want a bit more depth than what it gives in the synopsis on the back (which tells the whole story) I would recommend reading Wenjack first.
This is my second time reading a book about Chanie, [b:Wenjack|30079906|Wenjack|Joseph Boyden|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1469406055s/30079906.jpg|50500001] being the first. It was just as upsetting the second time and will continue to be every time I hear stories like this.
The artwork is absolutely stunning, very beautifully coloured. The song lyrics that accompany them are disturbing and sad, as they should be. I like that there is no dialogue and that the story is told by art and lyrics alone. If you want a bit more depth than what it gives in the synopsis on the back (which tells the whole story) I would recommend reading Wenjack first.
Gord Downie and Jeff Lemire bring to life a beautiful telling of Chanie Wenjack's life and death. This isn't the first book I have read about Chanie, but honestly is the best. This is one of the most shameful chapters in Canadian history, and it's important that we remember it.
I have been a big fan of the accompanying album for a while (how could I not be), and finally grabbed the book at the library. The book is paced carefully so that as long as you aren't trying to speed read it (and I personally think that the best option is to take the time to absorb it), you can read each portion of the book while the related song plays alongside. I liked the style of the song lyrics being printed followed by the wordless art to go with it in the following pages. Jeff Lemire's style suits the story very well, and the art left me feeling weak.
Definitely recommended to fans of Gord Downie, fans of Jeff Lemire, anyone interested in Canadian history, and anyone just looking for a good graphic novel.
I have been a big fan of the accompanying album for a while (how could I not be), and finally grabbed the book at the library. The book is paced carefully so that as long as you aren't trying to speed read it (and I personally think that the best option is to take the time to absorb it), you can read each portion of the book while the related song plays alongside. I liked the style of the song lyrics being printed followed by the wordless art to go with it in the following pages. Jeff Lemire's style suits the story very well, and the art left me feeling weak.
Definitely recommended to fans of Gord Downie, fans of Jeff Lemire, anyone interested in Canadian history, and anyone just looking for a good graphic novel.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
I balled my eyes out. I read it aloud to get the full poetic effect, and it was really hard to get through. Beautifully illustrated. I appreciate so much that proceeds are donated to the preservation of these stories.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Sexual assault
informative
sad
fast-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
This book is incredibly powerful. I recommend you go through the pages as intended - while listening to the music at the same time. This made reading The Secret Path a highly immersive experience. I dare you to read it and not cry. I DARE YOU. The illustrations are beautiful--yet haunting. Lemire uses blue shading for present day events, and memories of Chanie's family are depicted with warm, vibrant tones. A truly heartbreaking story told in a unique and striking manner.
5 stars.
5 stars.
I've always been a fan of Jeff Lemire and this was amazing. He captures so much in such simple washes of colour and penned in details. Gord Downie's accompanying lyrics are sometimes so fitting and other times I think better suited to being sung, they don't always work well as poetry/in print form.
Beautiful and moving remembrance of not that long ago atrocities against indigenous people in Canada. Lemire's illustrations are superb.
I definitely thought there was going to be dialogue in this short graphic novel, but once I got used to just the song lyrics it actually made everything more emotional. Definitely can finish this fast, but it's worth it. A sad reality in Canada's history.