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May 29, 2016KateHillier rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I'd never heard of Wab Kinew before he defended Joseph Boyden's novel "The Orenda" for Canada Reads (it later won). I didn't know much else beyond that, and that he hosts Canada Reads now, before I picked this up for book club. It was a fascinating read. It was also an easy and compelling read, which I think is a lot because it is written in much the way he speaks. You can hear him, and the rhythm in his words easily. Kinew tells his story growing up with his emotionally distant father but he goes back and talks about his father's childhood, including his time in a residential school. Both men make mistakes and have their own troubles, with each other, with alcohol, and with their pasts. As heavy and depressing as that subject matter is, there is an overall positive tone. A hopeful one as well. Especially in the sections where their culture is being relearned, and being upheld and respected by the current generation and generations to come.