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A review by spinesinaline
The Removed by Brandon Hobson
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I am so glad that I unintentionally read this so closely to Why Indigenous Literatures Matter by Daniel Heath Justice, and honestly I’d highly recommend reading them in conversation. Justice’s book is a non-fiction examination of existing Indigenous literatures across genres but part of his examination involves an autobiographical look at his own family and experiences as members of the Cherokee Nation.
Hobson’s book on the other hand is a fictional account of a Cherokee family dealing with loss and ongoing trauma from the very real displacement of the Cherokee Nation, otherwise known as the Trail of Tears. Moving from a more academic text to this emotional and haunting display of what trauma can do to the body, families, and relationships was an incredible way to gain a more embodied sense of this history.
Hobson’s book on the other hand is a fictional account of a Cherokee family dealing with loss and ongoing trauma from the very real displacement of the Cherokee Nation, otherwise known as the Trail of Tears. Moving from a more academic text to this emotional and haunting display of what trauma can do to the body, families, and relationships was an incredible way to gain a more embodied sense of this history.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Addiction, Child death, and Death
Moderate: Police brutality
Minor: Cancer