A review by serendipitysbooks
The Strangers by Katherena Vermette

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

4.5

 The Strangers is an illuminating and compassionate read exploring intergenerational trauma in a Métis family. It unfolds over five years and is the story of four women from three generations. Margaret was studying to become a lawyer, under pressure from herself and others to overcome low expectations of Indigenous people, when an unexpected pregnancy derailed her plans. Life did not turn out the way she wanted and she is angry, resentful and bitter. In the present her daughter Elsie is battling addiction, wanting to become clean and to be there for her daughters but plague by grief and demons and constantly relapsing. Meanwhile her oldest daughter Phoenix is in a youth detention facility while Cedar-Sage is moved around the foster care system before being able to move in with her father, who she’s never known, and step-family.

It was tragic seeing how the Stranger family became estranged from each other. This was precipitated by the death of Annie the family matriarch and the sale of the family home, and exacerbated by hurt women being unable to look after themselves let alone nurture and support others. Yet the role of government institution and systems, underresourced yes but also arguably focussed on the wrong things, should not be minimised. Towards the end there was a small yet pivotal scene, where I felt if another choice had been made the lives of at least three of the four women could have been very different. In many ways this was a depressing story, yet the love the women had for each other was as undeniable as it was imperfect, and the novel ended in a way that offered glimmers of hope.

Definitely a recommended read. 
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