This book I took in slowly over two years [eeks]. I loved reading about such a misrepresented and misunderstood sub-culture of the US. Native AmericanThis book I took in slowly over two years [eeks]. I loved reading about such a misrepresented and misunderstood sub-culture of the US. Native Americans rarely get their story out there, and certainly not in such a humanized way as this book did.
The writing was haunting and felt mystical, not unlike magic realism of sorts. The only negative I'd say is sometimes it was too descriptive for my taste, somewhat like Steinbeck's long-winded descriptions and imagery.
Really highly recommend to get a glimpse into an important part of American history....more
While I love a lot of the thoughts this book gave me, I had to rate it down to a three because it felt like a book of philosophical essays forced intoWhile I love a lot of the thoughts this book gave me, I had to rate it down to a three because it felt like a book of philosophical essays forced into a narrative fiction book. 50% of this book was philosophical wonderings. And I don't think I appreciated that when that wasn't what I was signing up for.
I'll start by saying it's been a while since a book got so into my head that it made me lose sleep and sometimes forget to distinguish between this fiI'll start by saying it's been a while since a book got so into my head that it made me lose sleep and sometimes forget to distinguish between this fictional story and real life. That's a feat, and to me the mark of a talented author. This book keeps you constantly in a state of emotional suspense, and you feel like you're on a figurative rollercoaster, with amazing highs and then very scary downward trajectories that bring you to some very low lows. It is a long book, but 100% worth the journey. I think books like these are difficult to read, especially if you have any abuse trauma in your past, or know of someone with it. But. I think for anyone who wants to understand what trauma really is and how it can have far-reaching affects into your adulthood, oftentimes even in spite of any personal success, this is the book that in all my reading for the first time gave me the ability to almost be able to truly empathize. I say almost because I would never want to discredit someone who's been through abuse and pretend I could ever truly understand. But this book brought me closer than it ever has.
That being said, the only negative parts of this book were more literary writing choices. One being the fact this author went to an ivy league school and lived in a New York City, and she makes it PLAINLY evident that she knows every fine wine, niche foodie restaurant, refined composer, artist and basically she is ever-so-refined in her tastes, casually throwing in really esoteric things every other page. She can't help herself. It's weird.
The second negative aspect of the writing in this book is the author's deliberate choice to overdo every intensely physical, traumatic or abusive scene. I read interviews with the author, and she explicitly states that she wanted everything to be "a little too much." In some ways, I understand this choice. I do think part of the goal of this book is jarring you as a reader into understanding what abuse and trauma feel like, but I also thought it was too gratuitous and there were TOO many sad things the main character goes through. Is it REALLY likely to experience so much bad luck in one lifetime? Seems unlikely and kind of threatened the validity of the story which could have felt more authentic without.
Lastly, 800 pages was just too long for what the book offered. In the interviews with the author, she mentions that her publisher had to fight with her to get her manuscript from roughly 1000 pages down to 800+. As the book stands, it could have been shaved down another 150-200 pages, and been a more complete, intact book this way.
All said and done, I think this book was incredibly worth a once-time read. Again, the goal of books is to help you as a reader experience emotions, thoughts and perspectives you may never experience except through the eyes of a fictional character. And this one nailed it in this aspect. You feel changed in some way once you're done. The hallmark of a 'good' book.
Phew. Longer review to come, but every single person in the U.S. should have to read this. Seeing a third party culture talk about and notice little nPhew. Longer review to come, but every single person in the U.S. should have to read this. Seeing a third party culture talk about and notice little niche things about our culture, the interplay of what races mean here, the hierarchy in how we treat each other. It felt like being slapped in the face several times, but in a satisfying way. haha! Would 100% recommend it to everyone!...more
Easy-to-read, good medium-level book for the French learner. Interesting writing style. Would recommend as a practice French book. Full of drama and oEasy-to-read, good medium-level book for the French learner. Interesting writing style. Would recommend as a practice French book. Full of drama and overly cheesy French ideas of amour. ...more
I love books that teach me history, can be witty, and educate me of a world I know absolutely about. I now know I never want to own a diamond ring, knI love books that teach me history, can be witty, and educate me of a world I know absolutely about. I now know I never want to own a diamond ring, know way more history about places I have visited/want to visit, and have good trivia knowledge :)...more
Overall, good! I think if you're into fantasy, great! I'm not a fantasy reader, and tried this out for a book club. I did think overall, it was prettyOverall, good! I think if you're into fantasy, great! I'm not a fantasy reader, and tried this out for a book club. I did think overall, it was pretty well-written. Plot keeps moving, you do end up getting attached to characters, and there is enough dry humor in it. I haven't read a ton of fantasy, but among the ones I have, I'd say it was a better one. I can't quite get over the cheesy descriptions, vivid love passages and ridiculous overuse of flowery language so many fantasy books have, but I'd still say if you want to read a fantasy novel, this is a great one in that genre....more
I originally started this book when I was a teacher, as a way to understand how to help students who just didn't have the will or motivation to betterI originally started this book when I was a teacher, as a way to understand how to help students who just didn't have the will or motivation to better themselves. It's a good book for that, or for understanding in your own life how to recognize whether you or people you care about have a fixed or growth mindset, and how to work with that or change it.
My main complaint with this book (and the reason I didn't finish it the first go-around) is that while the ideas in this book are enlightening, it could have been 50% shorter and just as effective. I felt like things were repeated over and over and over, and it would often lose me in repetitiveness.
Worth a one-time read to understand the concepts in this book though....more
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