Motorcycles and Sweetgrass

This was an amusing, almost tongue-in-cheek adventure on the Otter Lake reserve of the Anishnawbe in Ontario. While the beginning was a bit rocky, related to kids being scooped for residential school, the story flashed forward to the present, becoming intriguing, mysterious and realistic at the same time.

The characters were so adroitly shown in the narrative that it was simply delightful to get to know them and go with the flow, a touch of myth and magic, a slightly cynical flavour of white politics messing around with Indians and their traditions. It was great!

Do you love Canadian Literature as I do, but sometimes harbour secret critical thoughts? Do you ever inwardly ask yourself questions like: Does CanLit have to be so depressing? Is everyone in Canada impoverished and filled with self pity? Could Can Lit ever allow its reader’s to indulge in a little escapism? Character development is wonderful – but could we cut out about 100 pages of navel gazing? Is any sub group in Canada not filled with lamentations?

It was with this trepidation that I picked up [Motorcycles &Sweet Grass] by Drew Taylor Hayden. Yes, I ‘d read excellent reviews that promised me that this book would read “like a romp.” But, I reasoned, this is a book about life on a First Nations Reserve and that is not show more generally indicative of a book that will be humour filled. I was most wonderfully surprised in so many ways.

[Motorcycles and Sweetgrass] is indeed filled with humour and great lines, but it also gently touches on many serious issues. Residential schools, abuse by Catholic Priests, alcoholism, drug abuse, the clashing intergenerational First Nation Culture and many other difficult topics are skilfully brought to our attention. Native mythology is prominent in the book, but presented in such a way that it very understandable to virtually any reader. I also got a real feel for the prejudice that First Nations people are subjected to, as well a look into what life might be like for both adults and children living on a reserve in today’s Canada. I was also able to get a very good idea as to what forces – both from within and outside a Reserve - are dealt with by an aboriginal Chief.

This is a most fun and enjoyable read ,but it would be a mistake to say it is simply that. There is so much more to this book, and it well earned its place as a finalist in the 2010 Governor Generalist’s Award. The author, Drew Hayden Taylor , born and raised on Curve Lake First Nation Reserve in Ontario well deserves his award from Knopf Canada as a New Face in Fiction in Canada.
Many humourous lines are quoted by other LT reviewers, but that one that grabbed me that has not been mentioned is this one concerning the Chief of the reserve :

“She hated appearing on television, felt that she looked too haggard and worn, like a character from a Margaret Lawrence novel.”

This is a wonderful read and deserves to be much more popular than it is. I look very forward to Drew Hayden Taylor's next book! show less

Set in Otter Lake First Nation, it's the story of one family's interaction with the Trickster. The bits about residential school and its effects are very well written, and the ingenious way that Sammy Aandeg resists the horror of residential school is amazing. The bits of the book about raccoons are brilliant, and also the convoluted nature of the politics of land claims. And I loved the characters so much, especially Wayne, who's inventing an Indigenous martial art. But most of all, this book is charming, witty, and heartwarming. It would make a brilliant film. Highly recommended.

Nanabush (the Ojibwe Trickster) has been dormant for awhile. He is startled back into action by the impending death of a woman he loved from his past.

Lillian was made to leave the reserve when she was younger to attend residential school. She turned her back on Nanabush when she left. Once at school she muses "I thought the world was full of magic. I don't think it is. Maybe once it was. Not any more."

She did return to the reserve and on her deathbed, has called Nanabush to Otter Lake - an Anishnawbe community in Ontario. She is worried about her family - her daughter Maggie, who is now the chief of the reserve, her youngest grandson Virgil, who really can't be bothered with school and her eccentric son Wayne, who lives alone on an show more island developing an aboriginal martial art form. Will he come? Is there still magic in the world?

Otter Lake is quite taken aback when Nanabush, now calling himself John, arrives in town riding a 1953 Indian Chief motorcycle. And this time, he's decided to present himself as a handsome young white man.

Although John is able to charm Maggie, Virgil and Wayne are suspicious of John and his intentions. And the raccoons don't seem very happy to see him either. They have a long standing feud running with Nanabush. " It was him. and he was back. This was good. In this part of the country, revenge was furry and wore a bandit's mask."

Motorcycles & Sweetgrass open with the line "Hey, wanna hear a good story? Supposedly it's true one. It's a long story but it goes something like this..."

Taylor had me laughing out loud, with the raccoon's revenge and John's antics. But his writing is thoughtful as well, touching on the the importance of family, community and the land. And hopeful - the belief that yes, there is magic left in the world.

The novel ends with "And that's how it happened to cousin of mine. I told you it was a long story. They're the best 'cause you can wrap one around you like a nice warm blanket."

Absolutely! I really enjoyed this book, from first page to last.

Drew Hayden Taylor is an accomplished writer, journalist, film maker and screenwriter. (Canadian readers - remember North of 60 and The Beachcombers?)

Motorcycles and Sweetgrass is his first adult fiction foray and is one of Random House Canada's 2010 New Faces of Fiction. show less

Much of this fun novel read like a movie or television show. Once I realized that Taylor had been a writer on The Beachcombers and North of 60, it made sense. A realistic, yet not depressing look at life on a reserve in Ontario, it also blends some magical, mythological elements.

A mysterious stranger arrives into town after being summoned by a dying matriarch. Her daughter, the chief, needs some fun in her life, and Nanabush or Trickster, from Anishnawbe legend, certainly spices up her life. He arrives and shakes up Otter Lake just as they are trying to decide what to do with a recent land acquisition.

Some great characters populate this book:

* Wayne, the hermit brother, who is inventing a native martial arts based on animals
* Dakota, show more most of her native heritage is in her name, with a crush on John, the stranger
* Sammy, the survivor of Residential school, but just barely
* the raccoons, holding a severe grudge against Nanabush, and out for revenge
* the Indian Motorcycle, a dramatic character in its own right

I'm not supposed to quote from the ARC copy I had, but surely these great lines won't be changed?

[The Indian Motorcycle] wasn't just cool, it was cool squared, maybe even cubed. p 47

Who was this man? Nobody in his family was cool enough to know a guy like this, Virgil thought. p 47

It seemed her son just needed a good kick in the pants, but Ms Weatherford explained it in less abusive terms. p 126

The other horrible thing he realized was that it wasn't even nine o'clock yet, and there was so much more day left for things to go wrong. p 217

She hated appearing on television, felt she looked too haggard and worn, like a character from a Margaret Laurence novel. p 253

A book that readers looking for a Canadian book, a mythological book for Once Upon a Time, or just a fun, unique read should look for Motorcycles & Sweetgrass. I was sent this book as part of Random House's New Faces of Fiction, and I would certainly look for another book by Taylor. He's off to a great start! show less

Ok just before I post this review I would just like to say -- This is Canadian -- and it is FANTASTIC -- finally a piece of Canadian literature that showcases our sense of humor and doesn't depress the crap out of you! I also would love to chat with this author on how much I loved his book and about his quirky sense of humor -- you must read this just alone for the conversation between Jesus and Nanabush (Trickster). I dare you not to laugh your ass off.

Good Stuff
The authors rea...more Ok just before I post this review I would just like to say -- This is Canadian -- and it is FANTASTIC -- finally a piece of Canadian literature that showcases our sense of humor and doesn't depress the crap out of you! I also would love to chat with this show more author on how much I loved his book and about his quirky sense of humor -- you must read this just alone for the conversation between Jesus and Nanabush (Trickster). I dare you not to laugh your ass off.

Good Stuff
The authors realistic portrayal about life on a reserve in northern Ontario. Portrays them like any other Canadian living in a small community. Trust me there are characters like those portrayed in any neighborhood
Wonderfully realistic and quirky characters.
Snappy witty dialogue
Author pokes fun at his own people and politicians, while at the same time dealing with delicate issues such as non-natives attitudes to land clams and Residential schools in a way which is humorous but at the same time doesn't diminish the seriousness or lay blame
The conversation between Jesus and Nanabush is worth the price of the book alone
Made me laugh my ass off on many occasions
Hope full story about needing both the past and present and magic and reason.
Loved his ideas, thoughts and opinions on religion and his portrayal of Jesus is what I sort of hope Jesus would be like - a being with a great sense of humor, compassion and love
The scenes between Nanabush and the raccoons -- wonderfully unusual and downright laugh your ass off funny.
The beautiful scene with Nanabush and the chickadee is beautifully written

Not so good stuff

The only thing I can come up with that the first couple of chapters are a little confusing on who is who, but it is explained later in the book. You might have to reread the first 2 or 3 chapters

What I learned/

All sorts of information about the legend of the Trickster in native folklore
A better understanding and appreciation of native culture

Favorite Quotes/Passage

"I read somewhere that most religions have pretty much the same message, they just use different books"

"Wise men and women aren't born wise - wisdom is something achieved over years of experience. And for some, that experience includes -- skinny dipping.

"Some think everything we are is rooted in the past. It is, partially. But like evolution tells us, if things don't develop, change, evolve, adapt, they die"

"John remembered the story of it raining for forty days and forty nights, and wondered if the Ark had started off in Vancouver"

"I think it's called the Bible." "Yeah, needed and editor. No offense, but it went on forever and repeated itself""

Who should read

Pretty much anyone except for those who are extremely serious or sensitive about religion
Book burners really would not like this - but who cares what they like
There is some violence and sex so not for the younger reader

5 Deweys (I know still haven't figured out how to post a permanent post about rating system - see here http://raymentsreadingsrantsandramblings...) show less

This story taken from Anishinaabe legend mines similar territory to where Charles de Lint tends to go.

It was quite readable and enjoyable except for one character, Wayne, whom I found totally jarring to the story. I think he would have been better as an extra in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon than in this aboriginal legend.

On the other hand, the rest of the cast...particularly the main character...were well drawn. They could easily have fallen into stereotypes or single-faceted symbols, but didn't.