Original, amazing writing, educational, shocking. A stunning history of the Iroquois and the Jesuits in Canada. This is the reality show version of all that grade school Canadian history.
Boyden's first novel, Three Day Road, won the Amazon/Books in Canada First Novel Award and the Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize.
His second novel, Through Black Spruce won the 2008 Scotiabank Giller Prize.
His third book, The Orenda, won the 2014 edition of Canada Reads.
Excellent story, funny, wise, great writing, interesting about natives business people on and off reserve.
A breaktaking and spectacular book. I had to stop after every chapter to admire and ponder the writing.
The story is about of two young native men and their experiences in the trenches with the Canadian army in WW I, and growing up in northern Quebec. The aunt of one of them also plays a major role. She brings her wounded nephew back north by canoe and they tell their stories to each other.
Boyden examines the cruelty of the residential schools, the strategy, violence, bravery, filth and sordidness of war, the triumphs of the Canadian soldiers, the loyalty and jealousies of close friendship, morphine addiction, and traditional native life.
Three day road is the road travelled after death to get to heaven.
The story is mesmerizing. Every phrase and detail is a fascinating and necessary part of the story. Every sentence is carved and honed to fit perfectly into the whole.
This is the most essential Canadian novel --- a must read.
Other books by this author reviewed on this blog:
Through Black Spruce ****
The Orenda *****
It's hard not to gush about this book, it is so good. I will steal words from others---fluent, powerful, lyrical, and assured. This is a story of natives living on reserves, in the city, and in the wilderness, experiencing the degradation and success. It is so well told that you never think 'what an imgination' you just believe it (compare People of the Book, which I was conscious of the writer's imagination). The story is told in first person of two characters, a middle aged retired bush pilot and his niece. I never thought oh this is a man writing in a woman's voice.
You cannot find a flaw or weakness in any sentence, phrase, word, or paragraph of this book. I wish someone would read it aloud to me.
Boyden won the 2008 Giller Prize for this book.
Other books by this author reviewed on this blog:
The Orenda *****
