Reviews and Comments

This was my third Doctorow fiction novel. He's rapidly rising to the top of my favourite authors. While weaving a compelling story line, he sheds light on the true nature of our late-capitalist society and the systems that exacerbate disparity

Michelle Good's collection of seven essays, each on a distinct theme in the broad topic of reconciliation, presents a good picture of the current status of the indigenous struggle for recognition and status, and convincing rationale for a change in attitude and approach by the colonial institutions and settler community. A worthwhile read.

This is a good book that could have been shorter. While useful to expose the closer relationship between governments and private companies, the stories often felt repetitive and the chapters lacked a clear flow. The point was made, and made again, and made again, but the successive iterations didn't really develop a deeper analysis or enhance understanding. Overall, while an interesting read, I found it to be underwhelming.

This is a good book that could have been shorter. While useful to expose the closer relationship between governments and private companies, the stories often felt repetitive and the chapters lacked a clear flow. The point was made, and made again, and made again, but the successive iterations didn't really develop a deeper analysis or enhance understanding. Overall, while an interesting read, I found it to be underwhelming.

Reading this was a very worthwhile discipline for the year. While I didn't manage to read it every single day, each day I did I found the reflections to be thought provoking and encouraging. We've ordered a hard copy of the book to make available to my partners therapy clients while they await their appointments.

A beautiful story integrating intergenerational trauma, self-discovery, and just the right amount of magic.

Can an inanimate thing be lost? Or is the seeker the one who must be found?

A good book for our time. What does freedom really mean, and how do we live free lives in a politicized environment?

This was really well done -- retelling the events of Orwell's 1984 from the point of view of the second main character, Winston's "girlfriend" Julia. Personally, I think this is much more interesting than 1984, and provides a richer character to everyone. Unfortunately, it ends up being one of those books that is hopeful and pessimistic at the same moment. Still, it's particularly relevant for our time.

I had to re-read 1984 before starting this one, which I bought on recommendation of City Doctorow. It had been over 30 years, and my understanding of what I was reading had certainly shifted. It will be interesting to see how this other voice and perspective also shifts my understandings.

This one took me a while. However, in the end it was certainly worth it.

Some 35 years after I read it there first time.... Still a fun jaunt through absurdity!

This book was a delight for me to read. I spent three years of my youth in High Prairie, so the off-hand mentions of once-familiar places (like the bridge over the river at Grouard, and the native friendship centre) brought back old memories. Apart from that, this is just an enjoyable reading, dipping into Cree mythology and weaving a story that is engaging and exciting.