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A very honest, funny and touching novel about a year in the life of a 14 year old Native American boy on the reservation, but with a foot in the larger society. There are wonderful cartoons along with the text. This is not for all tastes: it includes racism, alcoholism, death, and teenage obsession with sex. I found it very interesting and uplifting. The author said that it is "78% true" reflecting what happened in his own life.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
"The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian" is one of those books that could be assigned to you in school (to read for History, English or Anthropology class) but is also the kind of book that you might just see in a library or bookstore that catches your attention. No matter how you find the book, try it! Read it...you'll like it! This is a book that is classified "for young/youth readers or teens" but don't let that stop you if you're already past high-school age (I am and I loved it). In a straightforward, easy-to-read way, it describes the life of "Junior", a 14 year old native American boy living on a Spokane Indian reservation. Junior is encouraged by his teacher to leave the reservation and attend an all-white school, in order to get a better education. He is branded as a 'traitor' by his people, and not quite accepted in his new school. Life is tough, but he tries his best and finds the strength inside himself to carry on and succeed. Because Junior wishes to be a cartoonist, the book does have some funny illustrations in it and they did not interrupt the flow of the reading. Actually, they were very good and added to the text. I have to admit...there was a part of the story right near the beginning, about Junior's sick dog, and them having to put it out of its misery. I almost stopped reading right there. Not that it was graphic or disturbing or anything, but I HATE books that make an animal die just to create an emotional response in the reader. But it was very short part, and it was important to add, so I will forgive the book for including this sad part. The book does an excellent job of combining a serious and sometimes sad subject matter with humor and light-heartedness. So it's not a book full of 'literary fluff' but it won't make you depressed to read it. It's not a 'downer'. It would be a good book for anyone to read, ages 12 and up.Read full review
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie transcends the barrier of time by addressing a problem that is still relevant today by using the narration of a boy who is so heartbreakingly honest and humorous that it almost hurts to laugh. Arthur is the equivalent, or greater than, of the like of J.D. Salinger's Holden. This novel belongs on every adolescent's no everybody's bookshelf and reading list because it has a message on race and on privilege that this nation still needs to hear and address.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Here are a few quotations from "The Absolutely True Diary": “asshole” p. 116, “faggot” p. 198, “chronic masturbators” p. 217, “I had a big erection when I learned of my sister’s death” p. 202, “You better keep you hands out of my daughter’s panties” p. 109, “you just keep your trouser snake in your trousers” p. 109, “…have you done her yet?” p.125, “Did you just say books should give me a boner:” p. 96, ”a bulimic girl with vomit on her breath can suddenly be so sexy” p. 119. Although ATD deals with worthy themes of American Indian reservation culture, poverty, and disadvantaged people, the profanity and crude sexual references disqualify the book for school use and curricula. Good parents and English teachers do not allow use of these words and phrases in their homes and classrooms. Assigning a book like this is teaching a double standard and degrading our society. Would you eat a brownie that had just a little dog poo mixed in? Read full review
Verified purchase: No
The quality of thia book was great! Thankyou!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
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