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A review by stephanieridiculous
Calling for a Blanket Dance by Oscar Hokeah
3.0
This is a very solid three stars. I really like this kind of format - multiple POVs that tell a winding, overarching story with each of their installments. I loved this family, I love the reaching for each other and returning to roots. And I love the hope it presents about the ability to do those things. And I think Hokeah does a really good job of giving each narrator a distinctive voice, which is hard to do with such a big cast.
While all of the above is true, this more feels like a series of interviews than a novel. This isn't really a story story, but a collection of people telling you what happened and the larger picture it paints. And that's ok - but it's all tell and no show. I would have enjoyed more of a immersive story over a recounting of facts, but that's more just personal preference than a comment on craft.
Mild content warnings for substance abuse, DV, and general violence. These things play a significant role but are never graphic.
While all of the above is true, this more feels like a series of interviews than a novel. This isn't really a story story, but a collection of people telling you what happened and the larger picture it paints. And that's ok - but it's all tell and no show. I would have enjoyed more of a immersive story over a recounting of facts, but that's more just personal preference than a comment on craft.
Mild content warnings for substance abuse, DV, and general violence. These things play a significant role but are never graphic.