Gordon Henry

Henry offers us a novel which is both dislocated and careful intertwined. There is a dichotomy of balance and seperation in this book which readers may find, initially, hard to grasp. By this, I mean that the story is forever shifting narrative perspective, voice and style. It is not a traditional novel, it is not comfortable and it is not easy. However, it is a deeply facinating and enthralling read. Allow yourself to not understand, embrace the abstract nature of the book and you will be show more rewarded.
The book concerns itself about a leg. A leg of an old man which was meant to be buried, but the ceremony is interrupted by a snow storm. Enter the anthropologists and a whole drama about ownership, about ritual and about colonisation.
Amongst Henry's abstractness there is an enthralling, entertaining, funny and dramatic story to be read. Not a book for all readers, not a light read or a page turner but certainly a book worth the effort of your time. show less

Illustrations expand the understanding of the 9 short stories and poems presented here. With 8 different illustrators, there is a wide variety of styles; I'll admit my favorite illustrator was Elizabeth LaPensee.
The stories mostly depict modern experience of Native Americans, and can be pretty raw (e.g. "Trickster Reflections") but also use humor ("Ice Tricksters") or a twist on familiar memes ("Werewolves on the Moon", "An Athabasca Story"). Despite the inherent sadness in "Mermaids", there show more is also a teaching and a commitment to responsibility/connection.
I'm guessing this is a book written and illustrated by Indigenous for themselves and their own community; there is little of explanatory information to help white readers understand some of the subtext or cultural references (especially "Just Another Naming Ceremony"). I'm not stating that as a lack, just saying that some readers might need to put a little more effort into a full appreciation. show less

Very original. I loved the way Henry plays with form.