I really enjoyed this audio version of Where Wolves Don't Die read by the author. He has a beautiful voice that I could cheerfully listen to for much I really enjoyed this audio version of Where Wolves Don't Die read by the author. He has a beautiful voice that I could cheerfully listen to for much longer. His delivery was excellent and, despite the drama, wasn't over the top. I dislike narrators who over dramatise situations. I learned at the back that Dr Treuer is a professor who teaches the Ojibwe language so I guess this goes a long way to understanding his excellent narration.
Where Wolves Don't Die tells the story of Ezra Cloud, a Native American boy, living in Northeast Minneapolis. Ezra has an ongoing feud with the local bully, Matt Schroeder. The feud comes to a head when Matt attacks Ezra's friend Nora and culminates when the Schroeder's home is burned down. For safety's sake Ezra is taken back to the family reservation where he begins to run traplines with his grandfather. Whilst there he learns not just family history but also tribal and learns to respect the landscape, it's flora and fauna - not least of all the wolves whose clan his family are part of.
This is a great YA book that delves into Ezra's state of mind very cleverly - his anger at the loss of his mother, how much he blames his father for everything, his hatred and fear of Matt. He comes across as your typical self-centred, whiny teenager who is given the chance to see what life is really all about. There's also a sweet (but not too soppy) sub-plot involving Nora.
The book gives you insights into Native American tradition and their horrific history at the hands of settlers. But it never goes too far and keeps all the information imparted as part of the story. It is all very cleverly woven together by a master storyteller.
Highly recommended.
Thanks to Netgalley and RB Media for the advance review copy....more
This is my first Clare Chambers. It has definitely given me a push to read more.
The story centres on William Tapping who is discovered in the home ofThis is my first Clare Chambers. It has definitely given me a push to read more.
The story centres on William Tapping who is discovered in the home of his sickly elderly aunt. He is mute and unkempt with a long beard and hair. Neighbours were unaware of his existence. Both the aunt and William are admitted to Westbury Park for psychiatric evaluations but the aunt dies shortly afterwards leaving the staff to piece together William's history.
William is encouraged to express himself through art by Helen Hansford, an art therapist who becomes determined to find out more about the talented but mysterious man.
Helen meanwhile has her own issues - an unwise affair, a rocky relationship with her parents and few friends. She is also determined to help her niece who has a difficult relationship with her own parents.
The book is divided into two parts - the "present" (1964) when William is taken to Westbury Park and a clever unravelling of William's past in a series of scenes working backwards to 1938 that explain how he has come to be a hidden man.
As I say, my first Clare Chambers and what an utterly delightful story (inspired by real life) to start with. Chambers prose is beautiful in it's simplicity. Her characters are wonderfully real from the inquisitive Helen, the shy and often silent William, to Gil the psychiatrist who steps over every line you can possibly imagine.
I really loved this story. Clare Chambers really made me care about what happened to William and without sensation or drama. I think my favourite characters were William, whose struggle to understand situations felt so real, and Mrs Kenley, the mother of a schoolfriend, who is the sort of woman every child should have in their lives.
Beautiful and heartwarming whilst not shying away from very difficult issues such as child abuse, professional conduct and the treatment of mental health patients. Highly recommended.
Thankyou very much to Netgalley and Orion Publishing for the advance review copy. Most appreciated....more