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Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese

No surprise that Indian Horse was the best book I read in February and that it topped West with Giraffes. The rest of the books I read in February were just ok and while West with Giraffes is good - Indian Horse is in a class of it's own.

Note: Not my template - off Pinterest.

#ReadingBracket #ReadingBracket2025 #BookBracket2025 #BookBracket

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CarolynM

Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese

#BookReport for February

My favourite this month was Indian Horse.

melissajayne Indian Horse is such a sad, but beautiful story. 10mo

66 likes1 comment

Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese

This post contains spoilers

Jess861 @lauraisntwilder @KathyWheeler @Ruthiella @CarolynM @LapReader @kwmg40 @Readergrrl @JenlovesJT47 @Tamra @PurpleyPumpkin @Kitta @DogMomIrene @Blueberry @BiblioLitten #OhCanada 10mo

Saul is such a strong character. I don't think many would make it through what he goes through at such a young age and then all through childhood. To have such focus on a sport while he is being abused and his culture and way of life have been completely ripped away from him shows a strong will to survive.

Thoughts on Saul?

Pictured is a Birch Bark Canoe - one of the main forms of transportation for the Ojibwe.

Ruthiella My heart broke for him. I did like, however how the book opens with him already on a healing journey because reading the rest and not knowing if he‘d make it through would have been tough. 10mo

Jess861 @Ruthiella I agree. I also like how Wagamese subtly hinted at the abuse but didn't confirm it until closer to the end. It really made you think again at the end of the book about everything he'd been through. 10mo

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Jess861 Birch was critical to the Ojibwe lifestyle. It is interesting to read about if you are interested. Another interesting fact is that Birch Bark Canoes were a great transportation form for the inland waterways. It is thought that the Europeans would not have been able to discover and explore much of the land without this type of transportation. The boats they had weren't made for inland waterways. 10mo

Tamra The revelation was startling, even though there were hints, but they were easily dismissed. 😔 Speaks to the survival strategy of victims and craft of Wagamese‘ writing! (edited) 10mo

Kitta @Ruthiella agreed, I liked having the certainty that he would pull through. I missed or dismissed quite of few of the hints that abuse was occurring tbh. I even thought partway through the novel that it was strange other kids were being abused but not Saul 😆 10mo

DogMomIrene Saul was so real. Agree that the opening pages help me cope with the set up that this character will survive. I had the same thought “strange he‘s not abused” and dismissed it. Makes me think that may be Wagamese‘s point in hinting at abuse. I think people, me included, tend to not see abuse and dismiss the hints, even when we shouldn‘t. I want a sequel, even just a short story, to know that Saul‘s okay. 10mo

Jess861 @DogMomIrene Sadly, Wagamese passed away in 2017 so we will never get a sequel. 10mo

kwmg40 Saul was a great character. I love how Wagamese makes us care so much about characters who are usually marginalized or disdained by society. I loved his novel Ragged Company about four homeless people. 10mo

13 likes9 comments

Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese

This post contains spoilers

Jess861 @lauraisntwilder @KathyWheeler @Ruthiella @CarolynM @LapReader @kwmg40 @Readergrrl @JenlovesJT47 @Tamra @PurpleyPumpkin @Kitta @DogMomIrene @Blueberry @BiblioLitten #OhCanada 10mo

Another major part of the book is hockey. Saul manages to find an escape through hockey although it only masks the suffering he is going through. It isn't until much later in life that he digs deep into that past so that he can truly heal.

Thoughts on the hockey portion of the book? Did you know this book was originally only supposed to be about hockey?

Ruthiella I have to say, as beautiful as the writing was, it lost me with hockey ! 😂 I‘m not a sports person at all. 10mo

Jess861 I enjoyed the hockey portion of the book as I find Wagamese can write about anything and it's still magical. I think a bit less hockey would have been ok with me though.

The fact that Saul finds an escape through hockey and then manages to bottle away his abuses for years is quite something. Sad that he didn't realize he was using hockey for something else as he did seem to love the sport. 10mo

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Jess861 @Ruthiella I agree, a bit less hockey would have been ok with me! 10mo

Tamra I was surprised at the hockey middle section. I‘d didn‘t mind too much because it was well written and personable. Had it not moved on to post hockey life, I would have been disappointed. 10mo

Jess861 @Tamra I agree, the book wouldn't have been as complete if it had ended with hockey. I really felt like we went on the journey of Saul's life in this book. 10mo

CarolynM I loved the hockey part of the book, but I wondered how much it would alienate people who weren‘t familiar with the sport. I can imagine some readers outside Canada just switching off from it, which would be a shame as I think the way it makes Saul feel, in both positive and negative ways, is really important to his journey. It‘s a reminder that, although similar in some ways, our countries each have cultures of their own. 10mo

Kitta I am not a sports person except for gymnastics and I actually loved the hockey part of this, I am Canadian though and familiar with the rules and gameplay which must have helped. I think the intricate detail spent on discussing the hockey was a way for Saul‘s mind to switch off from the abuse and purposely forget about it or ignore it as much as possible. He had to dive into a passion to distract himself. 10mo

lauraisntwilder I loved the hockey parts. My son played hockey for years. We're originally from TN and follow the Nashville Predators. This book made me think about former-Pred Jordin Tootoo, the first Inuk player in the NHL, and how he also played for the Blackhawks. (Imagine wearing that jersey.) I also remember watching a game on TV where Boston fans were yelling the n-word at PK Subban. There are still people who think of it as a white man's game. 10mo

Jess861 @CarolynM Agree - I can see how the hockey portion could turn off a reader who isn't into hockey or sports because there are so many chapters that are just hockey. But it was critical to the book so hopefully most aren't turned off by it. 10mo

Jess861 @lauraisntwilder I remember Jordin Tootoo as well and got to see him play a time or two in Canada. Even though he was a 'fighter' he was quite skilled at the game. 10mo

lauraisntwilder @Jess861 In Nashville, fans loved Tootoo. They would bring train whistles to the games, a play on Tootoo rhyming with "choo choo" that I sincerely hope didn't bug him, and they'd blow them whenever he was on the ice. It was a special cheer, just for him. And they continued to do it after he was traded, but came back to play on opposing teams. 10mo

DogMomIrene I‘m not a sports person, but I loved the hockey section because it was serving as his escape. I wondered if Fr. Hockey Coach had been abusing him, but thought “why would he let him go?” But when Saul refused to fight, then blew his chance at a pro-career, I knew. That was the most heart-breaking part for me. This beautiful skater who played the game with skill & grace who should have had every hockey success had that ripped from him bc of abuse. 10mo

kwmg40 I loved the hockey part. I grew up in Montreal, and my father, a Chinese immigrant, completely embraced the hockey culture (as a spectator if not a player). I grew up watching Hockey Night in Canada every week. In Quebec, it was really a sport for everybody, rich or poor. 10mo

13 likes14 comments

Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese

This post contains spoilers

Jess861 @lauraisntwilder @KathyWheeler @Ruthiella @CarolynM @LapReader @kwmg40 @Readergrrl @JenlovesJT47 @Tamra @PurpleyPumpkin @Kitta @DogMomIrene @Blueberry @BiblioLitten #OhCanada 10mo

A Residential School is a big part of this book. Saul is sent to one after losing both his siblings to them, his parents to grief and his grandmother to the cold. Due to his hard work and skills in hockey he manages to find a way out but not until he has suffered from many abuses. This will require him to take his own healing journey.

Thoughts on Residential Schools and/or that aspect of the book? Crazy that 1996 was when the last one was closed!

Ruthiella Crazy that they closed so late and yet, not. They still exist in the US though attendance is not compulsory as far as I know. 10mo

Jess861 I can't even begin to imagine having my kids ripped away from me and never seeing them again. These were babies! I also feel that this portion of the book shows exactly what happens when the Church is put in charge of schools. Absolutely disgusting! 10mo

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Jess861 @Ruthiella Really? I'm surprised they still exist at all. That is sad. 10mo

Ruthiella @Jess861 I think it‘s now more a case that reservations don‘t have local schools so children go to boarding schools run by the BIA more than forced assimilation but I don‘t really know. 10mo

Tamra Isn‘t Canada still struggling with how to deliver education to rural First Nations people? 10mo

Jess861 @Tamra Yes, it is a huge struggle. While the Residential Schools are gone the government still lacks in understanding that the First Nations deserve a curriculum more in line with their culture and identity (just my opinion). In general, I also don't think kids education should just be about sitting at a desk all day and there should be more hands on learning. 10mo

CarolynM It is horrifying to me that both Canada and Australia engaged in the shameful practice of taking indigenous children from their families until so very recently. In Australia we call them the “stolen generations” and some (inadequate) effort has been in the last decade or so to redress the harm done. The callousness of the system is heartbreaking and so well illustrated in this book. 10mo

Kitta @Ruthiella wow they still exist in the US? I don‘t know what the answer is in terms of education for First Nations children, but the system we have currently isn‘t working. 10mo

lauraisntwilder What I find especially sad is how few non-Indigenous people seem to know about residential schools. As a Caucasian of mostly European descent, living in the US, I only know about them because of specifically seeking out diverse books, movies, and TV shows. I was never formally educated that they exist -- and they did (and still do??) while I still in public school. 10mo

Jess861 @lauraisntwilder I could be wrong but I think now most Canadians understand these existed. That is only because of a recent movement which brought the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. I was not taught anything about them in school but they do talk about it in schools now days. Our son is in grade 3 and has learned about the Residential Schools the last few years. Last year was the year he really understood. 10mo

lauraisntwilder @Jess861 Yeah, definitely a different situation in Canada! I don't think the US has ever been good at owning up to its mistakes. 10mo

Jess861 @lauraisntwilder I wouldn't say Canada has been good at owning up to their mistakes but it is progress. Many issues still exist today. But the fact that it is being taught in schools brings me hope that the younger generation will know and understand the history and hopefully learn from it. 10mo

lauraisntwilder @Jess861 I hope that's the case, too! 10mo

DogMomIrene The National Day for Truth & Reconciliation brought awareness to me as a PR. I looked up the Truth & Reconciliation Commission to see what data they had. There‘s several reports. I read the summaries and they‘re horrific. Not sure I could make it through the reports. Saul escaping the school through hockey is a great plot device, but I‘d guess most kids didn‘t have a way out until they aged out. 10mo

DogMomIrene We moved from BC (progressive) to PEI (conservative) for slower pace, but sometimes I question our decision. There‘s a local councilor who posted a sign on his personal property “Truth: mass grave hoax”. He was suspended, fined, and told to apologize. He refused. He applied for judicial review (late). Case may go before the PEI Supreme Court as a freedom of expression case. https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.7452388 Curious if judge will allow case to move 10mo

Jess861 @DogMomIrene I agree, the government only recognized this day because there was enough pressure. However, even though I don't believe the government necessarily had true intentions with this day - I believe it has brought more awareness about Residential Schools. When our son came home from grade 2 last year he truly understood what a Residential School was. He does not necessarily know about the full abuse but understands kids died because ofthem 10mo

kwmg40 @Jess861 @DogMomIrene I too had wondered about the effectiveness of the Truth & Reconciliation Commission and National Day for Truth & Reconciliation. However, I'd recently finished a memoir by Marie Wilson, one of the commissioners and feel more optimistic about these efforts.

North of Nowhere: Song of a Truth and Reconciliation Commissioner

10mo

Jess861 @kwmg40 Thank you so much for the recommendation - I'll have to pick that book up! 10mo

kwmg40 You're welcome. I hope you will find it interesting. 10mo

DogMomIrene @Jess861 I love that your son is learning a more complete history. That‘s tricky to navigate too. When I taught the Holocaust in the States, we had to adjust curriculum to student age. And the awareness is a good first step. As a PR, I see much more education aimed at adults, like books and documentaries, than I think I would see in 🇺🇸 10mo

DogMomIrene @kwmg40 That one‘s on my list with Murray Sinclair‘s book. 10mo

Jess861 @DogMomIrene So tricky, I was kind of surprised that at the age of 7 he understood that the kids were taken from their families and that some died. I would have waited until he was a little older but he handled it well and asked smart questions about it. I'm not sure every 7 yo would be ready to learn about this topic and I'm not sure that every kid in his class understood in the same way he did. Still, I was impressed that school taught it though 10mo

DogMomIrene @Jess861 Smart boy! Whenever students ask those really good clarifying questions, it gets even trickier. I‘m not going to lie to a student, but there were times when I would say that those details would be covered in HS curriculum, and encourage the student to ask parents if they wanted more info earlier. Found I had to be more careful closer to my last years of teaching than earlier years in conservative Arizona. 10mo

kwmg40 @DogMomIrene Thanks for bringing to my notice Murray Sinclair's book. Adding that to my TBR list! 10mo

12 likes25 comments

Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese

This post contains spoilers

Jess861 @lauraisntwilder @KathyWheeler @Ruthiella @CarolynM @LapReader @kwmg40 @Readergrrl @JenlovesJT47 @Tamra @PurpleyPumpkin @Kitta @DogMomIrene @Blueberry @BiblioLitten #OhCanada 10mo

Constantly moving to try and keep your kids from being kidnapped - all while trying to preserve your culture, faith and beliefs. Multiple generations damaged by stealing and abusing kids, trying to destroy an entire peoples and pushing them to live on a Reserve. Many battling addictions due to their suffering.

These are all topics throughout the book - general thoughts on the book?

Ruthiella Books like this are important because they show that genocide is not only extermination camps but also an accretion of unfair policies and actions taken by those in power. 10mo

Jess861 This books is such an important book for Canadian history. What happened and in my opinion continues to happen is absolutely disgusting. I can't even begin to imagine as to what it feels like to have entire generations destroyed by such horrendous actions. Every country seems to have a story like this - just enacted in different ways. May we learn to be better people from this book! 10mo

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Jess861 @Ruthiella - That is such a great way to put it. This comment is so accurate. Canada has a dark history that is hidden behind policies and red tape. Sadly, it still goes on today and I can only see it getting worse with the current political climate. 10mo

Jess861 Pictured is an Ojibwe Spirit Horse - they are endangered and Canada's only Indigenous horse breed. 10mo

CarolynM @Ruthiella Hear, Hear! 10mo

Kitta @Ruthiella absolutely!!! @Jess861 Agreed this type of novel should be required reading in school (books selected age appropriate of course) in my opinion 10mo

lauraisntwilder @Ruthiella That is it exactly. 10mo

Jess861 @Kitta When reading books in English in middle school and high school - I wish it was more about reading books that teach us histories or lessons and less about what does the colour yellow symbolize in a particular book. Not every book because I feel it's important to read a variety of texts but there wasn't enough of it. That was my experience in English class anyways. It may have changed though, that was a long time ago! 10mo

DogMomIrene @Ruthiella 100% And as a former MS English teacher who taught in 🇺🇸, I remember dozens of HF books about the Holocaust. I‘m sure that took years to get to that point. Authors see schools building curriculum. Museums are curated. Guest speakers sharing their stories. I hope more people start listening to more voices to recognize that suppression & extermination happen under unfair policies. Build a new momentum that‘s more inclusive. 10mo

kwmg40 I found it impressive that Wagamese could cover all the themes that you'd listed and interweave them into a really compelling story in such a short novel. He really was a very gifted writer. 10mo

Kitta @Jess861 agreed! And school was a long time ago for me too - maybe things are changing? I was at school in Canada and I felt we didn‘t learn about this at all. We did symbolism to death for 1984 when I was in school and it almost ruined it for me. 10mo

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Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese

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This book is just as good as a reread. Wagamese is masterful when it comes to writing - you are truly transported into the time and place of the book. He even makes hockey sound magical. I could have done with a little bit less hockey - but that's not a big deal. Truly terrible that any of this was allowed to happen but I'm so glad he wrote about it as it is important to remember and know this part of history.

#DoubleBookSpin @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Great progress!!! 10mo

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CarolynM

Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese

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What an extraordinary book! The outrage of the treatment meted out to indigenous people in the mid C20th is all the more affecting because it is depicted in such a matter-of-fact way. There are direct parallels with Australia. In contrast, the hockey scenes are sublime. I can‘t imagine such transporting writing about Aussie Rules 🤣 I‘m glad I‘m sufficiently hockey literate to be able to appreciate it. Looking forward to the discussion. #OhCanada

thecheckoutstack Ohhh this seems right up my alley, I just got into hockey this year with the Four Nations tournament! 10mo

TreenaReads My favourite author! 10mo

Jess861 So glad you enjoyed it! Can't wait to discuss! 10mo

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Jess861 @lauraisntwilder @KathyWheeler @Ruthiella @CarolynM @LapReader @kwmg40 @Readergrrl @JenlovesJT47 @Tamra @PurpleyPumpkin @Kitta @DogMomIrene @Blueberry @BiblioLitten @JuniperWilde 10mo

Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese

Just over a week left and I'm excited to discuss with those who are interested. I'll post a few discussion points in the afternoon of Saturday, March 1st. I'm thinking I'll post one overall discussion about the book and then a couple more specific questions about topics in the book or the book itself. If there is anything specific you are interested in discussing please feel free to comment here. #OhCanada

Ruthiella I just want to thank you for the introduction to Wagamese! This is why I wanted to take part. There‘s so much out there that I don‘t know about. 10mo

Jess861 @Ruthiella Oh, you are too kind. I'm so glad you enjoyed Wagamese! He is such an amazing author! I'm not sure other books will quite live up to his writing but so glad we got to kick off with one of his books! 10mo

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CarolynM Echoing @Ruthiella I just finished the book last night - so good. I‘ll post a review later. Looking forward to the discussion. 10mo

JenlovesJT47 I am behind on everything this month but will try to start this tomorrow! 10mo

DogMomIrene I‘ve been on and off Litsy randomly for a couple weeks now, so if I‘m not on here March 1, I‘ll definitely read the conversation and see if I have anything of quality to add… because this book was so good. 10mo

Jess861 @JenlovesJT47 I hear you, such a busy month! 10mo

Jess861 @DogMomIrene Of course - the only reason I'm posting Saturday afternoon is because I figure it is the only time that I can get a bit of time away from the kiddos 😆. 10mo

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kwmg40

Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese

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This reread of Indian Horse was, for me, just as poignant and powerful as the first time around. I recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about the history of residential schools in Canada and why hockey is so well-loved in this country.

#OhCanada @Jess861
#gottacatchemall (Rattata: survivor character) @PuddleJumper

Jess861 Love that the reread was just as good as the first time read! 10mo

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lauraisntwilder

Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese

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Wow. The first pick for the #OhCanada #BuddyRead was intense. I loved this story of an Ojibway boy falling in love with hockey, but that's only part of the book. Saul's story is heartbreaking and moving. I can only imagine the continued lasting effects of the so-called "residential schools."

DogMomIrene The writing was so beautiful! I cried at the end. What a freaking journey to even get to the tip of healing. 11mo

lauraisntwilder @DogMomIrene I cried, too! It was such a good book. 11mo

Jess861 Definitely a journey and an intense book! Such an important part of Canadian history. Glad you enjoyed it! 10mo

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DogMomIrene

Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese

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Powerful novel. Feels like a memoir. Saul was ripped from his Ojibway family & forced into a Residential School, where he tried to escape trauma by playing hockey. His external & internal journey highlight his rage against racism & prejudice, his fight w/ alcoholism, & his healing. I despise sports, but even the hockey sections were so beautifully written, I was eagerly reading. And the conclusion brought me to tears. #OhCanada

@Jess861

Jess861 Both of his parents are Residential School survivors. Not a memoir but I believe he had a very close attachment to all the points in the book. 11mo

Tamra Agreed, such lyrical prose! 11mo

LiseWorks This was a very good book 11mo

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DogMomIrene @Jess861 Not surprised about his parents😢. I knew it wasn‘t a memoir, but you can definitely feel how closely tied he is to his characters. And his acknowledgements mention a lot of people,not all of whom work at his publisher. 11mo

DogMomIrene @Tamra Especially the opening chapters focused on nature and Ojibway culture. I kept pausing as I read there. 11mo

DogMomIrene @LiseWorks I even liked the hockey section! I was rooting for the Moose and Saul so many times. And I thought that aspect of the story might be difficult for me. Flew through the games. 11mo

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DogMomIrene

Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese

The observations about nature within the first chapters of Indian Horse are beautifully expressed. Enough so, that trying to decide what to share was going to be tough, but then Saul‘s grandmother made this statement. Timely words I‘ll be keeping in the back of my mind. #OhCanada

Jess861 ❤ 11mo

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Tamra

Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese

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5⭐️ Wagamese so effectively captures the heart wrenching destructive trauma of the Indian boarding school policy.

I knew I was going to like this because I enjoyed Medicine Walk. Deft writer! Lyrical and sensitive despite the subject matter.

#OhCanada
@Jess861

Ruthiella Nice review. A little too much hockey for me personally, but yes, excellent writing. 11mo

Tamra @Ruthiella the hockey section is a bit too long and seemed an odd tangent for that reason, but I can forgive in this case. (edited) 11mo

Jess861 So glad you enjoyed it - such an important topic in Canada! I love the cover on the copy you have! 11mo

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Tamra @Jess861 I‘m happy the opportunity gave me the incentive to finally get to it. I now realize I also have Ragged Company still on my shelves! (edited) 11mo

Jess861 @Tamra He really is a phenomenal author - and he had such a hard life! We are so lucky he found his way to writing. 11mo

Tamra @Jess861 😔 11mo

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Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese

January 16th #25Alive FaveBook'24 This one sticks to mind @Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Eggs Perfect 👌🏼 12mo

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Tamra

Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese

What splendid evocative writing! The excerpt pictured is from page 1. I‘m only on chapter 6 and I am going to savor each and every one.

#OhCanada
@Jess861

Suet624 Beautiful! 12mo

Cathythoughts ❤️ 12mo

Jess861 I'm so glad you are enjoying the book! 12mo

DogMomIrene I‘m looking forward to this one! 12mo

Tamra @DogMomIrene it‘s really just outstanding writing so far. 12mo

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Ruthiella

Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese

#WhereAreYouMonday

I find myself in Canada today. I‘ve just started the inaugural #OhCanada read. New author for me and the first couple chapters are promising, though I know it‘s also going to make me sad.

Cupcake12

Prairiegirl_reading Richard Wagamese is one of my favourite authors! I have not read this one but I‘ve read a number of his others and I think I‘ve rated them all 5 stars. I hope you enjoy it. And yes have the tissues ready. 12mo

Ruthiella @Prairiegirl_reading Thanks for the heads up on the tissues! I will try to prepare myself. 12mo

BiblioLitten I‘m starting this too! I was in Kamchatka Peninsula and am just about to start Wagamese! 12mo

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BiblioLitten @Prairiegirl_reading I‘m starting Indian Horse too, but I really loved Keeper n Me by the same author. 12mo

Tamra Sooooo good! I have a special fondness for indigenous writers & writing. 12mo

Ruthiella @Tamra Good to hear! 12mo

Prairiegirl_reading @BiblioLitten I loved keeper ‘n me too! Ragged company, Dream Wheels, Medicine Walk all excellent. Richard Wagamese is just great with character and place. 12mo

CarolynM I‘m looking forward to getting started on this one 12mo

Ruthiella @CarolynM I have a very good feeling about it based on the first few chapters. 12mo

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Kitta

Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Finished this for #ohcanada a few days ago and forgot to update.

Amazing book looking into the effects and horrors of residential schools and treatment of #indigenous Canadians. Told as the story of a young boy, Saul Indian Horse, as he grows up.

Really interesting insight. Be prepared if you don‘t understand hockey to read a lot about it. I think it would be fine if you don‘t know a lot but as a fan this was a bonus for me.

#canada

Kitta @Jess861 12mo

Jess861 I'm so glad you enjoyed it!! Definitely an important but dark part of Canadian history. 12mo

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Kitta

Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese

« I couldn‘t run the risk of someone knowing me, because I couldn‘t take the risk of knowing myself »

#ohcanada #canada #indigenous #ojibwe

31 likes

LitsyEvents

Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese

repost for @Jess861:

The Oh Canada book club officially kicks off tomorrow with Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese. We will select a book to read every two months and I will post a small discussion at the end of each book for those who wish to participate. This is about as low key as it gets and everyone is welcome!

I look forward to exploring Canadian authors and books with you all!

original post:
https://www.litsy.com/web/post/2823452

LiseWorks This is a really good book. 12mo

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LitsyEvents

Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese

repost for @Jess861:

Thank you to all for your thoughts on the first book. Excited to announce that our first read for the Oh Canada Book Club will be Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese. This book club will run every two months, so this will be the January/February book. Cannot wait to start diving into some Canadian books!

Very low key, all are welcome to join! Let me know if you want to be added to the tag list!

LitsyEvents #BuddyRead

original post:
https://www.litsy.com/web/post/2810731 13mo

35 likes1 comment

Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese

Thank you to all for your thoughts on the first book. Excited to announce that our first read for the Oh Canada Book Club will be Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese. This book club will run every two months, so this will be the January/February book. Cannot wait to start diving into some Canadian books!

Very low key, all are welcome to join! Let me know if you want to be added to the tag list!

#OhCanada #BuddyRead #BookClub #2025 @LitsyEvents

Jess861 @lauraisntwilder @KathyWheeler @Ruthiella @CarolynM @LapReader @kwmg40 @Readergrrl @JenlovesJT47 @Blueberry (edited) 13mo

Ruthiella Fantastic! Looking forward to reading this new-to-me author next year. 13mo

Tamra This is on my TBR! I‘ll join. 😄 Wagamese is terrific. (edited) 13mo

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CarolynM Looking forward to it 13mo

PurpleyPumpkin I‘d love to incorporate more Canadian authors into my tbr. And a two-month schedule is ideal! If you could add me to your list, I‘d appreciate it!😊 13mo

Jess861 @Tamra - Awesome, great to have you join :) 13mo

Jess861 @PurpleyPumpkin Great! I'll add you to the tag list :)! 13mo

Tamra @Jess861 I‘ve ordered a copy. 👍🏾 13mo

Kitta Can I be added to the list? 13mo

Jess861 @Kitta Of course 🙂! Welcome!! 13mo

Blueberry Please add me to your #OhCanada book club tag list. 12mo

Jess861 @Blueberry Added 😊 12mo

BiblioLitten Please add me to the list too. I have almost finished the book. 😊 Thank you! 11mo

Jess861 @BiblioLitten I'll add you to the tag list 🙂. Glad to have you join. 11mo

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Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese

#ISpyBingoAugustOctober Working on my bingos and got acouple with this book. #FoodandLit #Canada @Clwojick @TheAromaofBooks @Catsandbooks @Texreader #LitsyLoveReads

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 14mo

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Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese

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Every Canadian should read this book! An Obibway boy who is taken from his culture to be in a residential school in the early 1960s. It is sad and full of racism. As a Canadian, I feel ashamed as to how this could have been allowed to happen to so many children.As a descendent of The Ojibway people (Great Great Grandmother was Ojibway from Sault st Marie, Ont), I felt for this little boy being taken away from his culture.This book touched my heart

LiseWorks #FoodandLit #Canada #ReadAway24 @Catsandbooks @Texreader @DieAReader @Andrew65 @GHABI4ROSES 14mo

Texreader 😢 14mo

Catsandbooks Heartbreaking 14mo

DieAReader 💔💔💔 Stacked!📚 14mo

26 likes1 stack add4 comments

Tamra

Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese

Is it raining? Of course, still, again. Good grief will it ever end???

Went to a posh finely curated bookshop in Eau Claire, WI. It was so poshy it felt more like an expensive art gallery in which you would only speak in hushed tones, if you spoke at all. 😜 (I admit I loved the literary quality of the selections.)

JenReadsAlot I don't think it's ever going to end! I'm in southern Wisconsin in the rain..... 2y

Tamra @JenReadsAlot blech - not my thing! 2y

JenReadsAlot It's getting really old! 2y

See All 12 Comments

Blh87 MN here, and me and my plants are drowning. I am going on strike. No more rain! 2y

Tamra @Blh87 I‘m in MN too and while I‘m glad the two year drought is done, this is overkill! (edited) 2y

Blh87 @Tamra I‘m tired of being soggy. 2y

Tamra @Blh87 agreed. It‘s interfering with my outdoor reading and we get so little of it even in the best of years. 😢 2y

LeeRHarry Be great if you could send some rain to Melbourne - we seriously need some. Hope it clears soon. 🤞 2y

Tamra @LeeRHarry I‘m happy to help! Blowing the rain clouds your way! 🌬️🌬️💨 2y

Tamra @LeeRHarry seriously, the proverbial grass is always greener on the other side. We‘ve been abnormally dry for two years and now we‘ve gone the other direction. Thanks climate change. 🫤 2y

LeeRHarry @Tamra I‘m wondering if we‘re in for it come spring. 2y

Tamra @LeeRHarry you might be if this cycle is any indication. Our winter was very dry too. 2y

52 likes12 comments

Jas16

Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese

pick

When tragedy changes the trajectory of his life, Saul Indian Horse is sent to a residential school introducing him to racism and cruelty that will haunt him the rest of his life. A rare talent for hockey gives him a chance for happiness but some things cannot be out-skated. This book manages to be both brutal and easy to read. An undoubtedly important story. #24in2024

47 likes

Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese

April 30 #SpringSkies MFIndegenousPpl I want to read this one. @Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Eggs 🧡📚💙 2y

kwmg40 Such a great book! 2y

16 likes2 comments

MysticFaerie

Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese

pick

5🌟/5🌟

10 likes

ChaoticMissAdventures

Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese

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This is a hard book to read. Tragedy and darkness follow Saul Indian Horse, but he finds hockey and for a while it is the light he needs and he throws himself into the game. The book is heavy and mirrors Sauls life, there is a lightness to the hockey chapters that were needed. The light doesn't last. The book is well balanced and an essential slice of life of Canadian people and history.

44 likes1 stack add

#12Booksof2023 #September

@Andrew65

Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese

ChaoticMissAdventures I am reading this now. Some super tough parts. The horrors the Native children went through in Residential schools, I can't imagine how anyone could do that. 2y

Andrew65 Sounds must reading! 2y

53 likes2 comments

ChaoticMissAdventures

Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese

Pulling together things for 2024

This is my #24in2024 cart! Mostly it is random books I have had physical copies of that have been on my Goodreads TBR prior to 2023, and then all of my #botm stragglers. I cancelled that subscription because I wasn't reading the books. Time to get them all done!

#24in2024 with @Jas16

LiteraryinPA The cart looks so inviting!! 2y

Jas16 Great selection and quite a few books I have read and loved! 2y

40 likes2 comments

Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese

🍁 Indian Horse

🍁 finding a 5 ⭐ spooky book to read.

#Two4Tuesday
@TheSpineView
I tag @NataliePatalie

TheSpineView Thanks for playing! 2y

31 likes1 comment

Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese

pick

5 ⭐. Very good.
Triggers: sadness, anger, Indian residential schools, alcoholism, abuse

60 likes

Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese

"My name is Saul Indian Horse."

#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl

Creadnorthey So weird- I‘m reading Keeper‘n Me by the same author- just started it and saw your post… 2y

Blueberry @Creadnorthey that looks good. I will read it too. Thanks. 2y

48 likes2 comments

Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese

"My name is Saul Indian Horse"

#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl

ShyBookOwl 💜 2y

CuriousG Such a great novel! I just finished Medicine Walk, another wonderful one. 2y

43 likes2 comments

CuriousG

Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese

30 book recommendations in 30 days...

Day 28: Near the end, but still have dozens of books I could easily choose from. This was a great audio listen. Another good one for Canadians to read/expand their understanding of Indigenous experiences. Yes, it is fiction, but sometimes being in a character's head is what we need to connect/learn, and this is very much consistent with any non-fiction I've read. #30recsin30days
Content warnings in comments

CuriousG Content warnings for: residential schools (forced/captive, not voluntary), child abuse, childhood sexual abuse, denial of freedom to practice cultural language and customs, intergenerational trauma, alcoholism, ongoing colonial practices 2y

21 likes1 comment

Michael_Gee

Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese

pick

Wide margins and small chapters make this an easier read than you‘d expect considering its emotionally tough subject matter. I don‘t want to say too much about it, but I will say it packs a real blow. Powerful story, beautifully written.

23 likes