A review by camilleisreading24
This Town Sleeps by Dennis E. Staples

challenging dark funny hopeful informative mysterious reflective 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

3.75

 A good debut with a well-developed cast of characters. This reminded me a little bit of There, There by Tommy Orange in the way the chapters were more like interconnected vignettes. This book definitely felt more connected than that one, though. There is a lot going on - traumas, unsolved mysteries, the toll of alcoholism on Native communities, homophobia, and a revenant. It is well-written and interesting, I think that readers of indigenous fiction will enjoy this and I would encourage readers who haven't read much fiction set in and around reservations to pick this one up. The barrier to entry is low and it is quite a good book.