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Through Black Spruce
Through Black Spruce | Joseph Boyden
32 posts | 26 read | 17 to read
From internationally acclaimed author Joseph Boyden comes an astonishingly powerful novel of contemporary aboriginal life, full of the dangers and harsh beauty of both forest and city. When beautiful Suzanne Bird disappears, her sister Annie, a loner and hunter, is compelled to search for her, leaving behind their uncle Will, a man haunted by loss.While Annie travels from Toronto to New York, from modelling studios to A-list parties,Will encounters dire troubles at home. Both eventually come to painful discoveries about the inescapable ties of family. Through Black Spruce is an utterly unforgettable consideration of how we discover who we really are.
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review
JennF13
Through Black Spruce | Joseph Boyden
Pickpick

The 2nd of 3 books following members of the Bird family, Indigenous people of N. Ontario. I‘d give the edge to Three Day Road but I also really enjoyed this one & was easily invested in the characters. It is a bit difficult if you read about Mr. Boyden‘s himself to reconcile some stuff he‘s said in the media but I think regardless, a well written book highlighting Canada‘s Indigenous peoples is to be appreciated and enjoyed.

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mreads
Through Black Spruce | Joseph Boyden
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Beautiful 🧡💛🧡💛 6y
Tadams4 Nice selection and color! 6y
vkois88 Pretty spines 6y
46 likes3 comments
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Chellebearss
Through Black Spruce | Joseph Boyden
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Pickpick

Through Black Spruce introduces us to the next two generations of the Bird family that were introduced in Three Day Road.
This was a book that I did not want to put down, each chapter end makes the reader want to read another chapter. I forgot my book at work one night and felt like I was going through withdrawal.
Recommended. 4🌟 #2013 #Canadian

Tamra I enjoyed this one. 7y
GrilledCheeseSamurai Love his books! Three day Road is my favorite of his. ❤️ 7y
Chellebearss @GrilledCheeseSamurai @Tamra Three Day Road was my first and favourite of his books. I still need to read The Orenda but I couldn‘t get into it when I tried 7y
Tamra @Chellebearss I read that one too, but it‘s all a blur. ☺️ 7y
GrilledCheeseSamurai @Chellebearss I haven't read the Orenda yet either. 😋 7y
84 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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PurpleyPumpkin
Through Black Spruce | Joseph Boyden
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Despite the recent controversy, this was the first author I thought of for #indigenousauthors. #day7 #junebookbugs

Leniverse There's a controversy? I have the Orenda in the "next up" stack on the floor. Is this something I don't want to know about before reading? ? 7y
PurpleyPumpkin @Leniverse There have been questions about his heritage and his claims that he is part Ojibway and Nipmuc. It seems that evidence isn't found in his family tree so he's gotten a lot of bad press. These are on my tbr too and I'm going to keep an open mind when reading them. I've heard only good things about his writing. 7y
Leniverse I see. Ok, until proven otherwise I'm gonna go with the belief that he has not tried to mislead anyone and appropriate a heritage, but that he genuinely believes/believed that he's part Ojibway and Nipmuc. 7y
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PurpleyPumpkin @Leniverse I agree, well said. 7y
Leniverse Btw. would you be interested in a buddy read of The Orenda if you're planning on reading it anytime soon? 7y
PurpleyPumpkin @Leniverse Sure, sounds like a great idea! When were you thinking of reading it? 7y
Leniverse Yay! Let's see... not this coming week but the next? I checked and it's almost 500 pages of tiny print, so maybe aim at reading it over two weeks? 7y
PurpleyPumpkin @Leniverse Sounds like a plan!👍🏽 So, start the June 17th weekend? If we give it 2 weeks, we could get it in by the end of the month. That'll boost my count. 😉This is great, thanks for suggesting it! 7y
Leniverse Oh yeah, the month ends on a Friday. Weekend start it is! 😃 7y
teebe He isn't Indigenous. He's admitted that he mislead people. And he's changed his story so many times it isn't believable anyway. He's described himself post-controversy as a "white kid with native roots." (edited) 7y
PurpleyPumpkin @teebe Interesting, I hadn't heard this. 7y
60 likes11 comments
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BeverleeWitvoetAbell
Through Black Spruce | Joseph Boyden
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Friday afternoon sun and a book I have looked forward to reading for a long time!!

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shawnmooney
Through Black Spruce | Joseph Boyden
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Pickpick

Boyden's been getting a lot of bad press lately; I think at least some of it will blow over. In the meantime, what a wonderful writer he is! This novel struck me as a near-perfect Canadian novel. Its First Nations characters were throbbingly alive on the page; the plotting and pacing were exquisite. We all should – I certainly do, and will – read other First Nations voices; it would be a shame to avoid this big-hearted, gifted man's writings.

LeahBergen I'm planning on getting to The Orenda soon. Have you read it? 8y
shawnmooney @LeahBergen No, I'm avoiding it because I heard it was a mystery novel! LOL. Just kidding! I'm reading the trilogy in order so The Orenda will be next up! Have you read this one, or Three Day Road? I thought both of them were absolutely wonderful! 8y
LeahBergen @shawnmooney No, I haven't read any of his stuff! Do you think I need to read them in order? The Orenda is the earliest, history-wise. 😀 8y
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shawnmooney @LeahBergen It is? I'm pretty sure it's the third in terms of the publication chronology. Must be a prequel! I'm no expert, but I would think that the narrative and thematic resonances would work regardless of the sequence in which you read them, my dear… (edited) 8y
LeahBergen I read one of his wife's books though (and quite liked it) 8y
shawnmooney @LeahBergen Huh? This is the first I've heard of Amanda Boyden's existence, never mind her writings! I will definitely check it out! Thanks! 8y
LeahBergen @shawnmooney Yes, The Orenda is right in that Black Robe, 1600's era. 8y
Ange44 He is so amazing! I absolutely loved the first two books, but I haven't read The Orenda yet. 8y
Canadian.Reads He is a terrific writer... I've read the trilogy and would read them all again. Have Wenjack on my TBR this month. 8y
36 likes1 stack add9 comments
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shawnmooney
Through Black Spruce | Joseph Boyden
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LeahBergen Shawn Stories? 😂 8y
shawnmooney @LeahBergen Just you wait, girflriend: soon it's gonna be Leah-story-time! 😘 8y
Spiderfelt This is a great line. 8y
35 likes3 comments
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shawnmooney
Through Black Spruce | Joseph Boyden
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Spiderfelt You bring out all the best bits. 8y
26 likes1 comment
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shawnmooney
Through Black Spruce | Joseph Boyden
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saresmoore Haha! That's one of my favorite comedic bits. 8y
Lindy Did you see that Boyden is in the news again, this time for plagiarism? http://aptnnews.ca/2017/02/22/similarities-between-joseph-boyden-story-and-ojibw... 8y
shawnmooney @Lindy Yes, and I have no comment. I shall wait until the open season on this wonderful writer dies down. 8y
TheCanuckReader Great book 8y
28 likes4 comments
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shawnmooney
Through Black Spruce | Joseph Boyden
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'Askihkan' is the Cree word for a moss hut.

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shawnmooney
Through Black Spruce | Joseph Boyden
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saresmoore Hahaha! 8y
39 likes1 comment
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shawnmooney
Through Black Spruce | Joseph Boyden
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shawnmooney
Through Black Spruce | Joseph Boyden
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Suet624 This quote stopped me in my tracks and expanded my mind a little bit. It reminded me again to look at misfortune as part of our life's journey and not to view it from a victim perspective. 8y
shawnmooney @Suet624 Don't you just love it when passages jump out at you and stop you in your tracks? :-) 8y
35 likes1 stack add2 comments
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shawnmooney
Through Black Spruce | Joseph Boyden
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saresmoore 😳 8y
29 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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shawnmooney
Through Black Spruce | Joseph Boyden
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Read66
Through Black Spruce | Joseph Boyden
Pickpick

A beautifully written second novel by Joseph Boyden. I think I enjoyed the sections set in the north more than those set in Manhattan and Toronto. Two great characters - uncle and niece - trying to keep their family safe from outside dangers.

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shawnmooney
Through Black Spruce | Joseph Boyden
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shawnmooney
Through Black Spruce | Joseph Boyden
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saresmoore Lovely! There is some really good juxtaposition here—physical and emotional; circumstances/context and personal relationships. Sometimes I wonder if the quotes you highlight make the authors seem more astute than they really are. 🤔 8y
shawnmooney @saresmoore Somehow, I knew that particular quote was going to speak to you… :-) 8y
saresmoore @shawnmooney I think either I'm a predictable reader or you have a gift. Probably both. :) 8y
26 likes3 comments
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shawnmooney
Through Black Spruce | Joseph Boyden
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shawnmooney
Through Black Spruce | Joseph Boyden
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shawnmooney
Through Black Spruce | Joseph Boyden
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shawnmooney
Through Black Spruce | Joseph Boyden
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How lovely to sink into the second novel by the wonderful Joseph Boyden!
#BacklistBinge

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Onioons
Through Black Spruce | Joseph Boyden
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Look what I got today in the post! Thank you @teebe for my gorgeous #litsydoessecretsanta present! And thank you for sending it in Nov. I don't know what adventures it had crossing the ocean but I'm delighted it turned up! I'm thinking of starting a new campaign where everyone gets bookish presents on the second Tuesday in January #littlechristmas #winterpickmeup

TrishB Aw, Christmas books again! That would be lovely today 😄 8y
teebe Oh thank god, I'm glad it finally arrived! I was starting to worry they lost it but I guess better late than never. 8y
Onioons Thank you so much @teebe and sorry I didn't manage to track it down earlier. But it was such a treat to get it on a cold Jan day! Everyone should have a surprise little Christmas when they're back at work x 8y
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Reviewsbylola Glad you got it!! 🎅 8y
drokka Don't let @Texreader see your moose light. 😂 Glad it finally arrived. 8y
Texreader @drokka 😂😂😂 8y
51 likes6 comments
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shawnmooney
Through Black Spruce | Joseph Boyden
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For #BacklistBinge in February - loved the first one, Three Day Road!

31 likes1 stack add
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Spiderfelt
Through Black Spruce | Joseph Boyden
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Pickpick

Mixed feelings abound after finishing this book. I've waited two weeks to review it because I'm still not sure how to describe my feelings. The storyline set on James Bay offered a glimpse into a world generally glimpsed only through stereotypes. As the story moved to Montreal & NY, I became impatient to return North. 👍for strong, independent female POC characters; 👎for improbable/pointless side storyline with predictable characters. #canlit

Spiderfelt After finishing Joseph Boyden's most recent book, I was eager to dive into some of his older books hoping for more authentic Canadian stories told from a point of view outside the mainstream. This book hit the mark on that score, which is why ultimately give it a thumbs up. 8y
10 likes1 comment
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Ange44
Through Black Spruce | Joseph Boyden
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Pickpick

Joseph Boyden is so amazing. This is his second novel, the follow up to the brilliant Three Day Road, and it's a beautiful story.

19 likes1 stack add
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Ange44
Through Black Spruce | Joseph Boyden
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Coffee + Joseph Boyden= a perfect Saturday morning.

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Shemac77
Through Black Spruce | Joseph Boyden
Pickpick

I cheered loudly for these characters, cringed for them, and admired them.
Fantastic book.

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Shemac77
Through Black Spruce | Joseph Boyden
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"The humming of a living body,......when it passes to death, the beat of that heart continues, in a lesser way maybe, but it joins the heartbeat of the day and the night."
#readeverydayeverywhere

Postcard by Jillian Lukiwski of The Noisy Plume.

16 likes1 stack add
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Shemac77
Through Black Spruce | Joseph Boyden
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Afternoon reading with a side of studying and propelled by tea.
#readeverydayeverywhere

Queen.Angix a must!❤️ 8y
18 likes1 comment
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Shemac77
Through Black Spruce | Joseph Boyden
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Evening reading.
#readeverydayeverywhere

18 likes2 stack adds
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unmanagedmischief
Through Black Spruce | Joseph Boyden
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Currently reading. My knowledge of Canadian literature is extremely sparse, so it's really fun reading something totally new.

Angelala007 I heard Boyden speak at an Aboriginal Education conference recently. It was fabulous. And he's so hot :) 9y
2 likes2 stack adds1 comment