November '07 discussion thread: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

[Caryl]

Here is our discussion thread for The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, our November group read. As always, be cautious of reading the posts below if you haven't finished, as they may contain spoilers.

[Kathleen]

I just finished this book today and found it very good. Parts of it were incredibly sad, but there were also some very touching and poignant moments. I enjoyed the author's sense of irony. Sherman Alexie definitely has his own unique style of writing. It takes a certain talent to take something as heartbreaking as death and find a way to add humor to it. I am looking forward to reading more of his books!

[Caryl]

I loved this book, and immediately passed it on to my parents to read; they loved it, too. Thank you for posting here about it, Kathleen!

I agree with you about the amazing way Alexie addressed very sad, difficult issues, but used humor and irony to keep it readable -- and enjoyable! I loved the way he ended the story. Hope.

One of my favorite parts in the story is when Junior approaches his parents with the desire to attend the school off-reservation, and their reaction. "We'll make it happen." It was incredibly difficult for them to do (logistically, with transportation and such, as well as to take the risk to step outside of their community), but they didn't talk to Junior, much less complain, about the difficulties at all. I liked how Alexie didn't paint them as perfect people, but as wonderful people with flaws.

I thought the story balanced realism with the hope that I like to see in young adult lit. I'm so glad he won the National Book Award for Young People's Literature for this!

Kathleen, I found his writing here to be very different from The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven, which I read a few years ago. I still want to read his Ten Little Indians. Let me know if you pick up anything else by him. Have you seen the movie Smoke Signals?