The Redemption of Oscar Wolf

by James Bartleman

In the early 1930s, Oscar Wolf, a 13-year-old Native from the Chippewas of Rama Indian Reserve, sets fire to the business section of his village north of Toronto in a fit of misguided rage against white society, inadvertently killing his grandfather and a young maid. Tortured by guilt and fearful of divine retribution, Oscar sets out on a lifetime quest for redemption.

His journey takes him to California where he works as a fruit picker and prizefighter during the Great Depression, to the Second World War where he becomes a decorated soldier, to university where he excels as a student and athlete, and to the diplomatic service in the postwar era where he causes a stir at the United Nations in New York and in Colombia and Australia.

Beset by an all-too-human knack for making doubtful choices, Oscar discovers that peace of mind is indeed hard to find in this saga of mid-20th-century aboriginal life in Canada and abroad that will appeal to readers of all backgrounds and ages.

Genres: Fiction, Indigenous, Canada, Historical Fiction, Native American

272 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

James Bartleman is the former lieutenant governor of Ontario and the bestselling author of the novels As Long as the River Flows and The Redemption of Oscar Wolfe. A member of the Chippewas of Rama First Nation, he is also a retired ambassador and a member of the Order of Canada. He lives in Perth, Ontario.

Reviews

[John Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bartleman paints a depressing but too accurate description of the way First Nation societies have been treated by the Canadian governments over the decades. The story is gripping in spite if the grim framework of the plot. An excellent read!

[Kathy Stinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The impact of colonization on Indigenous people is better known now than it was when this book was published, thanks in part to the many powerful books, fiction and non-fiction, that have come out since then. Had I read this one years ago, its emotional impact on me might have been stronger because Oscar’s story, like so many dealing with intergenerational trauma, is devastating. It’s not that I’ve been desensitized to such stories, but at times I felt the events of Oscar’s life were being reported on, factually, rather than being fully inhabited by the author. At first I appreciated the plainness (for lack of a better word) of the telling but eventually I wished for deeper involvement. That said, I like Oscar and wanted him to succeed in overcoming all he was dealing with.

[Lynda Thompson · Rating 1 out of 5]

disappointing :( I was trying to read something Canadian, and the author happened to be Indigenous. However, I didn’t much enjoy it at all, other than to feel he eventually made his point about the horrific treatment of Indigenous people from the reserves here in Canada

[Trudee Romanek · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book goes a long way in helping us settlers understand just what exactly inter generational trauma can look like and how devastating it has been for First Nations (in this case Chippewa) people.

[Dsinglet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This takes place in the 1930s with Oscar Wolfe in a teenage rage against white hypocrisy sets fire to the local store in the town near the reserve. A large fire ends up killing his beloved grandfather and a young white girl. His life becomes an endless attempt to be what is expected of him by white society. Alcohol is his escape. The tale winds to an interesting conclusion where Oscar finally redeems his true aboriginal roots. It was humorous and up lifting.

[Vionna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wonderful and sensitive book about a young aboriginal boy, who
committed an act of arson which left him scared for life. He battles for years to lay his demons to rest and achieve peace of mind.

[Jim Angstadt · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book seemed to focus more on the indian/ethnic/native people than people in general.
It felt like I should be learning a morality rather than experiencing a story.
Bailed.

[Dpetschewark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like the geographical area the early part of the story takes place.