A review by magsisreadingagain
real ones by Katherena Vermette

dark informative inspiring reflective 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? Yes

5.0

katherena vermette has been an auto-buy author for me since I experienced The Break. That book captivated me, and I have not looked back since. This latest release, real ones, examines the current trend of “pretendians” in Canada, the longstanding trend of non-indigenous people, often white settlers, passing themselves off as Indigenous. These people have often created elaborate backstories of their “indigenous ancestry”, but cannot provide proof, and claims are often disputed by their family members. Many of these pretendians have risen to positions of prestige in politics, academia, and the arts world, taking positions and awards that have been designated for Indigenous people.

I appreciated vermette’s choice to focus on the family that deal with the fallout from the exposure of this situation, rather than on the individual living a falsehood. This situation creates tension personally, socially and professionally, and the ripple effects of one person’s dishonesty made for interesting reading. I inhaled this book over the course of a six hour road trip, and truly didn’t want it to end.

I highly recommend this book to readers who have loved The Break, The Strangers and The Circle. You will find characters from the Stranger family, and can see another layer of their family.  I would also recommend this to readers who are interested in the long lasting effects of settler colonialism on Indigenous and Michif peoples in Canada. A relevant topic in Canada’s current news cycle. A 5-star read for me.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Hamish Hamilton and Penguin Random House Canada for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review.