A review by thazell
The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline

emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Once, the residential schools then now everyone wants them dead for their bone marrow which holds dreams. In a dreamless, dystopian society the recruiters will stop at nothing to hunt down the Indigenous people for their bone marrow. This book is a reference to the residential schools and the discrimination Indigenous people face in the modern-day through a fictional lens. It’s heart-wrenching. We follow Frenchie as he meets his new found family and struggles to deal with grief while on a constant run for survival. They try to live, not just survive. The story has lots of the Indigenous teachings wrapped inside of it, like smudging, and even though they are being hunted for that very side of them, they continue to learn and practice it. They do not give up their Indigenous side no matter what. The characters are strong and find meaning within each other to continue to survive, to smile and laugh. I was in tears by the end of the book, it holds so much meaning and grief and love. Stories like this need to be told, let those who are suffering find strength in the fact that you are not alone; your stories are being told.

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