A review by muzzfuzz
Night of the Living Rez by Morgan Talty

emotional reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I went into this book expecting a series of unconnected horror-ish stories and what I got instead was a moving and heartbreaking collection of vignettes following the same family over decades. I'm not sure if this was a marketing misstep, but either way I'm so glad this book found its way to me.

The stories were originally published as separate pieces, but together they form a very competent novel. I don't mind going back and forth in time, but with just a bit more editing it could have more clear and friendlier to the novel format. The stories are so interconnected that it's difficult for your brain to not try and figure out where in the timeline you are, which detracted from the experience a bit.

Overall, though, a beautifully written, deeply sad, and at times humorous collection. It spurred me to learn more about the Penobscot indigenous community and I am eagerly awaiting Talty's next novel. 
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