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jenny_librarian 's review for:
Walking in Two Worlds
by Wab Kinew
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
I don't know what to say about this book.
On one hand, the Anishinaabe rep is detailed and the book gives great commentary on colonization and the genocide of Indigenous people. The Uyghur inclusion also offers a good parallel to show that colonization is still very much a problem in the world today.
On the other hand, the plot itself (or should I say themselves? Because there seem to be multiple main plots vying for the reader's attention rather than one main plot and a few subplots...) is all over the place. There's Bugz' self-esteem, her brother's health, the romance and the neo-nazi/incel group in the game trying to take her down. It's too much and it feels like nothing is really explored as much as the rep.
Reading the author's dedication in the beginning, I think it's safe to assume that the plot took the back seat in favour of having good rep, and it makes for a read that will probably mean a lot more to Anishinaabe people than anyone else. Not a complaint; marginalized people need books written just for them too and I applaud that. But anyone who goes in for anything else than the rep might be disappointed.
Speaking on what I guess was supposed to be the main plot (the video game and the neo-nazi/incel group wanting to beat her) I feel it both went too far an not far enough. I'll expand on the trigger warnings in a bit, but I want to make it clear that what happens in the clearing would have been much worse in real life and, knowing the shitty record of Canadian government involvement when it comes to finding Indigenous women, it would have been the end of the story for Bugz. In that way, I feel the author diminished the harm neo-nazis and incels do in real life. I don't think the scene was necessary, especially since they never get anything back. Nobody comes to Bugz aid outside of her little bubble. We never see any of her viewers and supporters in the 'Verse back her up. However small that group may be, it would have been more realistic to see a few other players try to help inside the game too.
As I said, I also want to mention the long list of trigger warnings. There's A LOT, and it's a damn shame there's no list in the ARC (I hope the final version has it) because most of them come from absolutely nowhere and you're hit with stuff like self-harm and suicidal thought when you least expect it. If you have ANY triggers, read the list carefully before reading the book.
I'm a white woman, so I won't even pretend to understand how Anishinaabe people feel, and I urge you to read ownvoice reviews. I can only state what I felt reading it and, though it's not the best, I think the rep is really good. It's also better than Ready Player One.
I don't know what to say about this book.
On one hand, the Anishinaabe rep is detailed and the book gives great commentary on colonization and the genocide of Indigenous people. The Uyghur inclusion also offers a good parallel to show that colonization is still very much a problem in the world today.
On the other hand, the plot itself (or should I say themselves? Because there seem to be multiple main plots vying for the reader's attention rather than one main plot and a few subplots...) is all over the place. There's Bugz' self-esteem, her brother's health, the romance and the neo-nazi/incel group in the game trying to take her down. It's too much and it feels like nothing is really explored as much as the rep.
Reading the author's dedication in the beginning, I think it's safe to assume that the plot took the back seat in favour of having good rep, and it makes for a read that will probably mean a lot more to Anishinaabe people than anyone else. Not a complaint; marginalized people need books written just for them too and I applaud that. But anyone who goes in for anything else than the rep might be disappointed.
Speaking on what I guess was supposed to be the main plot (the video game and the neo-nazi/incel group wanting to beat her) I feel it both went too far an not far enough. I'll expand on the trigger warnings in a bit, but I want to make it clear that what happens in the clearing would have been much worse in real life and, knowing the shitty record of Canadian government involvement when it comes to finding Indigenous women, it would have been the end of the story for Bugz. In that way, I feel the author diminished the harm neo-nazis and incels do in real life. I don't think the scene was necessary, especially since they never get anything back. Nobody comes to Bugz aid outside of her little bubble. We never see any of her viewers and supporters in the 'Verse back her up. However small that group may be, it would have been more realistic to see a few other players try to help inside the game too.
As I said, I also want to mention the long list of trigger warnings. There's A LOT, and it's a damn shame there's no list in the ARC (I hope the final version has it) because most of them come from absolutely nowhere and you're hit with stuff like self-harm and suicidal thought when you least expect it. If you have ANY triggers, read the list carefully before reading the book.
I'm a white woman, so I won't even pretend to understand how Anishinaabe people feel, and I urge you to read ownvoice reviews. I can only state what I felt reading it and, though it's not the best, I think the rep is really good. It's also better than Ready Player One.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Body shaming, Cancer, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, Colonisation
Minor: Addiction, Animal death, Genocide, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, Grief, War