Booking Social Change

Time for the monthly installation of book reviews that I do as part of my 2008 Resolutions. These ones are coming a bit late (okay so much entirely late it’s not even funny), as I did not want to log down the site with a bunch of posts, since I crossed a few things off my list and am embarked on my trip to Ontario as well. Oh yeah, and then there was work and school and being sick and all of that. Anyways…The books I read this month were Green Grass, Running Water by Thomas King, Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit written b Jeannette Winterson, and Autobiography of a Blue-Eyed Devil: My Life and Times in a Racist, Imperialist Society by Inga Musico (for full disclosure, Inga=my personal hero).

Green Grass, Running Water is a book I read in my first year of University for a Humanities course that I was taking. This was one of the first books I had to read for that class that I actually enjoyed. It’s been three years since I enjoyed the novel, so I figured I would put it to good use and take it all in once again. I adore this book, but I must say it makes me feel awful when I read it. This book is based largely on Native American traditions and uses well known Christian “stories” as well. I’m not too well schooled on the bible, which is fine by me, but I’m even worse when it comes to things like traditional Native creation myths, which in my mind hold much more importance than silly Christian stories that are used to justify things like slavery or the dominance of males. I have read a book about traditional Native story telling and on several occasions had the privilege of hearing them told by practiced story tellers. This book still leaves me lost at certain points, which I suppose on one hand is probably an intentional act on King’s part, and in reality it’s my own fault for not being aware of these stories. Aside from this, the story is wonderfully written. It combines a traditional story telling method with your more Western “normal” form of novel-writing. The characters are well developed and likable (except the ones you hate). The plot comes in the form of a slow moving build up that combines the Native story telling aspects with the lives of the characters who manifest in a much more “novel” manner. I guess what it comes down to is an uncomfortable clash of “Western” and “Native” culture, which is simply a reflection of “North America” today. It’s an absolutely brilliant book and, as with most literature, reading it again allowed me to see new aspects of the book I hadn’t seen the first time, and I suppose with three more years of University and life in general, comes a deeper understanding overall. I highly suggest this book, but if you do decide to read it (which you should), keep an open mind and don’t automatically put it down because the story telling in parts is different than you are accustomed too. The point is to express story in two different forms. And coming from experience, it might be a good idea to go and get somewhat familiar with Native creation stories and traditional Native story-telling, as it will make the book much more enjoyable and will reinforce some of the points the book makes through it’s method.

Next I read Jeannette Winterson‘s Oranges are not the Only Fruit. This book was recommended to me by a friend, and I’m glad they did. It deals with the author in a semi-autobiographical format, coming of age and expressing her sexuality in a highly Christian home and community. The characters are all so complex without the normal endless descriptions that arrive in books when authors try to create “complex” characters. The quick anecdotes that fill the stories introduce you to familiar, yet unique characters that seem to walk into the book out of reality. It is wonderfully written, but at times the British slang can be hard to follow. Overall it’s a brilliant book and I truly enjoyed reading it. It goes beyond the conventional coming of age story and the silly little love stories that so many books seem to be so fond of. I’m quite excited to read the rest of her books!

The third book I consumed was Autobiography of a Blue-Eyed Devil: My Life and Times in a Racist, Imperialist Society. Oh. My. Goddess. I love this book. I adored her first book Cunt, but this just was guhhhhhhh (guhhhhh meaning me drooling in sick adoration of this book and Inga). I adore Inga. If you all could kindly remember, I met her a few months back after she lectured at my school (thank you Lethbridge Grad Students Association!). This book is a semi-autobiographical work about racism (and other bullshit) in America (and the world). It took me forever to read because after getting through a page I’d be too depressed or enraged to go on. Several times I was flipping out throughout my house wishing I had things that felt satisfying to throw. You must read this book. This book must become mandatory reading in junior highs. This book must become the new effin’ bible. I’m not even joking when I say this book changed my life (I hate cliches, but it’s so true here). Once again..guhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh…