Through Black Spruce

The author acknowledges native life, and its shortcomings, but it doesn't own his characters, or the book.
Very realistic wilderness scenarios, not tidy, nor idyllic.
Exceptionally well read, wonderful parallels between predators in the many worlds inhabited by the characters.
Would love to listen to Boyden's first book " Three Day Road"

This is a really fine book. Having read Boyden's previous book, Three Day Road, I wondered how the narrator would handle the "Cree English' dialogue that makes Boyden's writing so authentic. He got it right, in my opinion.
Both of his books have changed, forever, my understanding of the impact of European settlement on First Nation's people, without feeling that I was being preached to. Joseph Boyden is one talented writer.

A slow start to this listen had me close to moving on to another book. I am glad to stick it out as the book slowly grabbed and held me more and more the longer I listened.

Two great narrators, and a great blend of characters and plot that leaves you guessing what will happen. I connected with many of the characters.

The people who were chosen to read this book were all wrong. They make this book boring.

The insight into the everyday life of First Nations people.

A Cree or Ojibwa person would have been a much better choice. The narrator's that have been chosen drains the life from this story.

I could not get through the entire book. The narration was too sterile.

This is a good book. Black Spruce depicts some aspects of the culture and themes that are important to Cree and Ojibwa today.

I found the story slow at the beginning, but it really picked up after several chapters and was worth sticking with. The two narrators do a good job of portraying Annie and her uncle, Will. There's a lot to think about in this novel: the traditional vs. the modern; the city vs. the wilderness; solitude vs. community and friendship; aboriginal vs. non-aboriginal culture. It's an entertaining but meaty listen/read.

This is an amazing book. I found myself torn between pity and amazement at the Cree characters as they go from onlookers to participants in a drug ring much larger than they had ever realized. The "Indian Princess" goes to NYC to find her sister, the Bush Pilot uncle murders the ring leader and has to hide on an desolate island. Definitely a great listen.

Loved this book. Especially liked that there is a male and female reader. You would not be disappointed with this book. I looked forward to my walks each day so I could continue with the story.

A great combination of thriller and Naive American tale. It starts a bit slow but then takes off. Wonderful characters reflecting a broad spectrum of Native Cree life from town to city to the bush.