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A review by deedireads
Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange
dark
emotional
sad
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? No
4.5
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Damn, Tommy Orange just plain knows how to write sentences.
Wandering Stars isn’t as propulsive as There, There was, but don’t worry; it twists the knife. It begins with a look through the eyes of several generations of Orvil Redfeather’s ancestors, from the Sand Creek Massacre to the Carlisle Indian Industrial School and up through present day. Then we join back up with Orvil and his family in the aftermath of the events of There, There.
I’ve seen people say they didn’t feel like this book pulled together as well as they’d hoped, but I don’t agree. I thought the two sections worked great in concert, and I think the way they highlighted the generational trauma forced upon Native Americans was really effective.
I recommend reading There, There first because it’s truly excellent and the characters here are dealing with its aftermath, so the emotional impact will be greater if you’ve read it. But it’s not 100% necessary. In fact, I read it a long time ago and remembered very few concrete details, but I still loved this one.
Also! The full-cast audiobook was fantastic. I started the first few chapters on audio only (successfully) and loved listening along as I read once I settled in with my print copy.
What’s next, Tommy? I’ll be there.
Damn, Tommy Orange just plain knows how to write sentences.
Wandering Stars isn’t as propulsive as There, There was, but don’t worry; it twists the knife. It begins with a look through the eyes of several generations of Orvil Redfeather’s ancestors, from the Sand Creek Massacre to the Carlisle Indian Industrial School and up through present day. Then we join back up with Orvil and his family in the aftermath of the events of There, There.
I’ve seen people say they didn’t feel like this book pulled together as well as they’d hoped, but I don’t agree. I thought the two sections worked great in concert, and I think the way they highlighted the generational trauma forced upon Native Americans was really effective.
I recommend reading There, There first because it’s truly excellent and the characters here are dealing with its aftermath, so the emotional impact will be greater if you’ve read it. But it’s not 100% necessary. In fact, I read it a long time ago and remembered very few concrete details, but I still loved this one.
Also! The full-cast audiobook was fantastic. I started the first few chapters on audio only (successfully) and loved listening along as I read once I settled in with my print copy.
What’s next, Tommy? I’ll be there.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse and Addiction
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Sexual assault and Mass/school shootings