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5★
“I see a paper-clip icon with a JPEG extension. I double-click it. He’s standing there with a microphone in his hand, powwow dancers in the background. I see myself in the man’s face. He’s bigger than me, both taller and fatter, with long hair, wearing a baseball cap, but there’s no mistaking it. It’s my dad.
‘You look like me, I type.”
Not only have America’s Native Americans / First Nations Peoples / Indians lost their homelands, many have lost identities, communities, and a sense of belongin ...more
“I see a paper-clip icon with a JPEG extension. I double-click it. He’s standing there with a microphone in his hand, powwow dancers in the background. I see myself in the man’s face. He’s bigger than me, both taller and fatter, with long hair, wearing a baseball cap, but there’s no mistaking it. It’s my dad.
‘You look like me, I type.”
Not only have America’s Native Americans / First Nations Peoples / Indians lost their homelands, many have lost identities, communities, and a sense of belongin ...more
This book deserves all the praise it has garnered. Primarily a series of interlocking character sketches, it explores the psychic, familial and social ramifications of the cultural genocide of the Native American peoples. An anticipated pow-wow serves as a magnetic pole drawing these lives together, lives that had been connected by other bonds and forces prior to this cultural gathering. Full of alcohol and violence, shattered hopes and familial duty, individual strength and deep sadness, Orange
...more
Feb 02, 2019
Mina
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
tob-2019,
ps-challenge-2019
Before There There – I hadn’t given much thought to what life might be life for the Urban Native American present day. As it turns out I should be giving it thought and so should you. This story told in short engaging chapters about several different people all heading to the same event for a myriad of reasons. Debut Novel? Nope I don’t believe it. Reads like Tommy Orange has been writing for years. A wonderful reading experience.
There was some beautiful writing in this, especially the essay sections. I would say I loved half of the book and the other was so-so. The issue was that there were so many characters I had trouble keeping track of them. Which meant that this book didn’t have the emotional impact on me it should have had. The characters also varied in complexity and depth. There were definitely some that were more intriguing than others. I’m glad to have finally read this.
Aug 02, 2018
Rachel
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
libraryebook,
fiction
I usually dislike books written in this way, lots of viewpoints from many different characters. It makes it seem too much like short stories, I usually like one perspective more than others and spend most of the time wondering if we're ever going to hear from that person again. But this one was well done, the characters are connected enough to avoid the usual pitfalls and come together well in the finale. I thought it was well done and appreciated reading about a world and traditions that are no
...more
This one took me more than one try to finish; the first one ended when the book had to go back to the library, and it took FOREVER for me to get it again! Since I couldn't remember where I was, I listened to the whole thing. But on audio, I really had a hard time keeping the characters straight, and I ultimately lost the point of the story. I should probably read this another time, perhaps when my mind isn't so wandering.
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Great perspective of Native Americans and their lives. The language is often amazingly deep and thought provoking. The three star rating is due to the ending. I value my time as a reader and I am disappointed to enjoy an entire book and then be let down by the ending.
Jun 07, 2018
Sara
marked it as to-read
Jun 14, 2018
Amy
marked it as to-read
Jun 22, 2018
Annet
marked it as to-read
Jul 15, 2018
Lindsay
marked it as to-read
Aug 30, 2018
Jules
marked it as to-read
Sep 09, 2018
Leanne Sarubbi
marked it as to-read
Oct 08, 2018
Amber
marked it as to-buy
Dec 04, 2018
Nancy
marked it as to-read
Jan 02, 2019
Lisa
marked it as to-read
Jan 02, 2019
Deb
marked it as to-read
Jan 15, 2019
Colleen
marked it as to-read
Nov 27, 2019
Karen
marked it as to-read
Jan 18, 2020
Nats
marked it as to-read
