pickDespite being raised by a Native man and accepted fully into his family by the tender age of 2, Charles must leave the Rez the moment he comes of age because he does not have Native blood. When he fathers a child with a Penobscot woman he‘s been friends with since childhood, she leaves him and begs him to keep his parentage a secret — “for their daughter.” This secret turns his own life to ash and burns through the lives of others. 👇🏻
monalyisha 1/3: The author‘s identity is important. This is an OwnVoices novel. The tone of the message, which explores the idea of what we are *allowed* to keep (land, rights, love), and what is stripped from us, could feel *very* different, otherwise. Talty‘s sentences range from simple and viscerally blunt to poetic. 1w
monalyisha 2/3: Charles is surrounded by selfish people — people who need (and deserve) help but also people who rarely (if ever) express their gratitude or show him his worth. He never stops giving, and the moments when he stretches himself too thin always have disastrous consequences. (edited) 1w
monalyisha 3/3: It‘s a sad and chronically lonely story, lifted by what could be a new beginning. Still, endings and beginnings are always bound up together (isn‘t that the way?). Grief is the kindling for this novel and it‘s written deep into the bone fragments that are left behind. (edited) 1w
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monalyisha Thank you, @Christine! This is my favorite of your #AuldLangSpine selections thus far. I‘m creating a new “Best of 2025” shelf in its honor! 1w
Tamra I started this on audio and realized I need to read it in print. 😁 I didn‘t want to miss anything. 1w
Chelsea.Poole Lovely review. 1w
Christine What a review! So glad you appreciated this one. And good idea, @Tamra ! I would love to reread it via print. 7d
Suet624 Great review!!! 2d
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so-so
