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The Break begins when a young mother witnesses an assault being committed outside of her house on a snowy, isolated strip of land in Winnipeg’s North End. While the story centers around this horrible crime, it is not a mystery novel, as it is clear to the reader who the perpetrator is early on. Instead, it is a novel about relationships, particularly the relationships between four generations of Indigenous women � Stella, Emily, Phoenix, Louisa, Cheryl, Zegwan, Paulina, and Flora � who are tied together by blood and friendship. Each woman’s perspective, as well as the perspective of a young Métis cop named Tommy, are woven together in a series of shifting narratives that recount the events leading up to the assault and the aftermath and healing that follow. The large cast of characters can be difficult to keep straight in the beginning, but their voices, stories, and relationships feel incredibly realistic, with each character baring their flaws, fears, struggles, and hopes in a way that resonated with me.

The Break is not an easy read, but I didn’t expect it to be. Vermette writes honestly about the realities of being an Indigenous woman in Canada, which for many of these women unfortunately includes abuse, assault, rape, addiction, gangs, relationship struggles, death, grief, loss, dehumanization and more. Despite all the hurt, anger, and sadness contained within its pages, The Break paints a picture of strength, resilience, and hope, and is a powerful and haunting read.