(Spoiler alert)
I’ve know of Sherman Alexie for years and last year I read his collection of short stories called Ten Little Indians. I enjoyed the stories and his writing. He is very humorous. My only complaints were that many stories made me feel nostalgic for Seattle and there were a few gratuitous R-rated passages. I figured The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian wouldn’t have those drawbacks because 1) it is classified as a “young adult” novel and therefore less likely to have R-rated passages and 2) it takes place in an Indian Reservation that the characters call the “Rez” in eastern Washington State near Spokane and nowhere near Seattle. I figured correctly on both counts and the book turned out to be much more than just devoid of those drawbacks.
As advertised the book does seem geared towards young adults and teenagers. The protagonist telling the story in the first person is around 13-14 years old. He uses short words and sentences, short paragraphs, and there’s a lot of dialogue. The book is easy to read and it reads very quickly. In addition to the words the book uses cartoons “drawn” by the main character to tell the story, though they were actually drawn by illustrator Ellen Forney. They’re usually very humorous or profound and they aren’t always explained or referred to in the text. They stand on their own as a substitute for the text and supplement to the story. Each chapter is a vignette though there is a clear progression as the main character goes through his first year of high school. He doesn’t always focus on the same topic. It’s more like he’s talking to the reader in conversation.
The book had to pass the rule of 50 twice for me. I initially checked out a copy from the Cal State L.A. library that was the large print or “blind” edition. That passed the rule of 50 but then that copy was recalled by the library because someone had placed a hold on it. I got another copy from the Covina Public Library that was the regular size print. Page 50 of the blind edition corresponds to page 30-something of the regular edition. That book also passed the rule of 50.
The title of the book is not an entirely true statement. The book is fiction, though it’s partially based on the author’s life. It takes place during current times, however. I know this because the main character lists Dwayne Wade, Shane Battier, and Adam Morrison among his favorite basketball players. Some of the dramatic events in the book really did occur in Alexie’s life. Others are clearly sensationalism though they reveal some important lessons. At that age, everything seems sensational. The highs are higher and happier but the lows seem sadder, more dramatic, and darker. There’s a lot about being an Indian in a Caucasian world, the differences between life on and off the “Rez”, friendships lost and found, family, tragedies, fun times, adjustment, and “fish out of water”. But it’s all told so personally from the main character’s point of view.
The book imparts some lessons that were new to me. The main character learns from another student that you’re supposed to read a book three times to truly understand it. First you read it for the plot. Then you read it for its history and its knowledge of history. Then “You think about the meaning of each word and where the word came from.” Other lessons weren’t new to me but reinforced. The four “hugest” words that an adult can say to a kid are “You can do it.” That sounds cheesy but it’s true. The third lesson is in the following passage:
“I used to think the world was broken down by tribes,” I said. “By black and white. By Indian and white. But now I know that isn’t true. The world is only broken into two tribes: the people who are assholes and the people who are not.” (Alexie, p. 176)
Overall, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is not entirely true, nor entirely realistic. But it’s still an excellent story that is, at times, funny, sad, inspiring, and insightful. It’s accessible enough for teenagers and subtly sophisticated enough for adults. All teens and adults would enjoy it.
I’ve know of Sherman Alexie for years and last year I read his collection of short stories called Ten Little Indians. I enjoyed the stories and his writing. He is very humorous. My only complaints were that many stories made me feel nostalgic for Seattle and there were a few gratuitous R-rated passages. I figured The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian wouldn’t have those drawbacks because 1) it is classified as a “young adult” novel and therefore less likely to have R-rated passages and 2) it takes place in an Indian Reservation that the characters call the “Rez” in eastern Washington State near Spokane and nowhere near Seattle. I figured correctly on both counts and the book turned out to be much more than just devoid of those drawbacks.
As advertised the book does seem geared towards young adults and teenagers. The protagonist telling the story in the first person is around 13-14 years old. He uses short words and sentences, short paragraphs, and there’s a lot of dialogue. The book is easy to read and it reads very quickly. In addition to the words the book uses cartoons “drawn” by the main character to tell the story, though they were actually drawn by illustrator Ellen Forney. They’re usually very humorous or profound and they aren’t always explained or referred to in the text. They stand on their own as a substitute for the text and supplement to the story. Each chapter is a vignette though there is a clear progression as the main character goes through his first year of high school. He doesn’t always focus on the same topic. It’s more like he’s talking to the reader in conversation.
The book had to pass the rule of 50 twice for me. I initially checked out a copy from the Cal State L.A. library that was the large print or “blind” edition. That passed the rule of 50 but then that copy was recalled by the library because someone had placed a hold on it. I got another copy from the Covina Public Library that was the regular size print. Page 50 of the blind edition corresponds to page 30-something of the regular edition. That book also passed the rule of 50.
The title of the book is not an entirely true statement. The book is fiction, though it’s partially based on the author’s life. It takes place during current times, however. I know this because the main character lists Dwayne Wade, Shane Battier, and Adam Morrison among his favorite basketball players. Some of the dramatic events in the book really did occur in Alexie’s life. Others are clearly sensationalism though they reveal some important lessons. At that age, everything seems sensational. The highs are higher and happier but the lows seem sadder, more dramatic, and darker. There’s a lot about being an Indian in a Caucasian world, the differences between life on and off the “Rez”, friendships lost and found, family, tragedies, fun times, adjustment, and “fish out of water”. But it’s all told so personally from the main character’s point of view.
The book imparts some lessons that were new to me. The main character learns from another student that you’re supposed to read a book three times to truly understand it. First you read it for the plot. Then you read it for its history and its knowledge of history. Then “You think about the meaning of each word and where the word came from.” Other lessons weren’t new to me but reinforced. The four “hugest” words that an adult can say to a kid are “You can do it.” That sounds cheesy but it’s true. The third lesson is in the following passage:
“I used to think the world was broken down by tribes,” I said. “By black and white. By Indian and white. But now I know that isn’t true. The world is only broken into two tribes: the people who are assholes and the people who are not.” (Alexie, p. 176)
Overall, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is not entirely true, nor entirely realistic. But it’s still an excellent story that is, at times, funny, sad, inspiring, and insightful. It’s accessible enough for teenagers and subtly sophisticated enough for adults. All teens and adults would enjoy it.
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