"And don't make the mistake of calling us resilient. To not have been destroyed, to not have given up, to have survived is no badge of honor."
Cheyenne and Arapaho author Tommy Orange’s debut novel, There There, is an exploration into the lives and struggles of 12 modern urban Native Americans whose lives converge at the Big Oakland Powwow with devastating consequences.
Orange’s writing is gritty and visceral, exploring themes of substance abuse, mental health, heritage, and cultural identity. It’s an eye opening window into the diverse contemporary experience of American Indians, and we were captivated from start to finish. The chorus of voices and multigenerational timelines make this an ideal novel to read in one setting (and you won’t want to put it down!).
Despite the ending which left us feeling some type of way, OWC unanimously give There There 4 stars. Add it to your TBR now; Wandering Stars, the sequel, is slated for a 2023 release.
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