Anyway.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian
When Junior decides to leave his reservation school to
attend the all-white high school in a nearby town, he’s faced with tremendous
backlash—from his new classmates and his reservation community. Junior has
always been picked on for being different, but he’s certain that this action is
the only way he can create a future for himself.
This novel/graphic novel hybrid is unexpectedly perceptive
and extremely funny, even in its moments of tragedy. The unconventional
structure seems messy and off-putting at first—chapters read like vignettes or
short stories, Junior often goes off on tangents, and the reader doesn’t
realize how the events are connected—or even chronologically placed—except in
retrospect. Yet, the conversational tone and stunning insights oppression and
humanity just make it all work. Alexie also uses humor in the most
heartbreaking and unexpected ways to deconstruct the racism and abuse Junior
faces. His use of humor and irony makes his story a little easier to read about
(though not much), but it also provides an access point between Alexie and the
reader, a way for the reader to develop empathy for Junior. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time
Indian should be on everyone’s reading list.
ARC provided by publisher, many years ago.
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