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A review by libraryvee
The Reason You Walk by Wab Kinew
4.0
Four stars because I'm rating the book, not the man, whom I now have changed my mind about since I've learned about his past domestic assault cases. (But that does colour my opinion, so I have a note at the bottom.)
So! The Reason You Walk is an uneven, but beautiful book. It begins with the story of Tobasonakwut Kinew, an Anishinaabe First Nations man, whose story is one that is just beginning to be recognized: that of a little boy being taken away from his family and culture, and enduring the brutality of a residential school. This is Wab's father, and it gives us context, not just for Wab, but for thousands of First Nations families. The residential school experience had a lasting, negative effect on generations to come. As Wab says, "Children were raised by strangers." So the cycle continues.
But this book isn't about that (although it gives important context, like I said.) It's about forgiveness, and reconciliation, and the path that we all walk together. Wab talks about his childhood spent with an angry, alcoholic father, who eventually cleaned up his life and came full circle. His legacy changed Wab - who chronicles his angry, alcoholic youth as well.
There were some frustratingly vague descriptions of moments where Wab would separate from his partner, or become a father, or have a career change, where he would only use a sentence to describe what happened. I thought these life-changing moments would come with more introspection, to match the tone of the rest of the book. This felt jarring, and distant to me, and accounts for the uneven-ness I felt.
However, there are some truly beautiful moments. There is a chapter dedicated to a vision quest, and another to a Sundance ceremony, which I found mesmerizing and wonderful. Also enlightening. The book really starts to come together in the last third, where we follow Wab's father "Ndede," on the last part of his journey with cancer, and Wab reflects on the lessons and legacy of reconciliation his father leaves behind.
I also really admire Wab's view on his own people's culture and history. He is genuine about wanting to share his culture not only with the next generation of Indigenous people, but also with Canadians across the country. His attitude is to move forward, to build bridges, and to act with understanding. It's beautiful, refreshing, and honest, all at once. I learned a lot reading this book, and felt inspired, actually.
So...the last thing I want to say is that, in light of the sexual assault charges against him, I'm not sure how I feel about Wab Kinew. I cannot support violence against women in any context. I don't blame Wab Kinew for his alcoholism, which kudos to him, he has fought against and won, but after learning about his sexual assault charges, as well as his racist and misogynistic comments, I don't feel comfortable endorsing this book.
So! The Reason You Walk is an uneven, but beautiful book. It begins with the story of Tobasonakwut Kinew, an Anishinaabe First Nations man, whose story is one that is just beginning to be recognized: that of a little boy being taken away from his family and culture, and enduring the brutality of a residential school. This is Wab's father, and it gives us context, not just for Wab, but for thousands of First Nations families. The residential school experience had a lasting, negative effect on generations to come. As Wab says, "Children were raised by strangers." So the cycle continues.
But this book isn't about that (although it gives important context, like I said.) It's about forgiveness, and reconciliation, and the path that we all walk together. Wab talks about his childhood spent with an angry, alcoholic father, who eventually cleaned up his life and came full circle. His legacy changed Wab - who chronicles his angry, alcoholic youth as well.
There were some frustratingly vague descriptions of moments where Wab would separate from his partner, or become a father, or have a career change, where he would only use a sentence to describe what happened. I thought these life-changing moments would come with more introspection, to match the tone of the rest of the book. This felt jarring, and distant to me, and accounts for the uneven-ness I felt.
However, there are some truly beautiful moments. There is a chapter dedicated to a vision quest, and another to a Sundance ceremony, which I found mesmerizing and wonderful. Also enlightening. The book really starts to come together in the last third, where we follow Wab's father "Ndede," on the last part of his journey with cancer, and Wab reflects on the lessons and legacy of reconciliation his father leaves behind.
I also really admire Wab's view on his own people's culture and history. He is genuine about wanting to share his culture not only with the next generation of Indigenous people, but also with Canadians across the country. His attitude is to move forward, to build bridges, and to act with understanding. It's beautiful, refreshing, and honest, all at once. I learned a lot reading this book, and felt inspired, actually.
So...the last thing I want to say is that, in light of the sexual assault charges against him, I'm not sure how I feel about Wab Kinew. I cannot support violence against women in any context. I don't blame Wab Kinew for his alcoholism, which kudos to him, he has fought against and won, but after learning about his sexual assault charges, as well as his racist and misogynistic comments, I don't feel comfortable endorsing this book.