Summary
There There by Tommy Orange is a groundbreaking debut novel that took the literary world by storm upon its release in 2018. This critically acclaimed work explores the complex experiences of urban Native Americans in Oakland, California, weaving together the stories of twelve unforgettable characters. Orange's powerful prose and unique narrative structure earned the book numerous accolades, including selection as one of the 10 Best Books of the Year by The New York Times Book Review.
The novel's impact extends far beyond its literary merits. There There sparked important conversations about Native American identity, generational trauma, and the legacy of colonialism in modern America. Its success catapulted Orange to the forefront of contemporary Native American literature, establishing him as a vital new voice in American fiction. The book's widespread acclaim led to its inclusion on countless “best of” lists from major publications and literary organizations.
While There There has not yet been adapted for the screen, its cultural significance and compelling storytelling make it a prime candidate for future adaptations. The novel's interweaving narratives and powerful themes offer rich material for a potential film or limited series. As Orange's star continues to rise with the recent release of his second novel, Wandering Stars, interest in bringing There There to a wider audience through other media forms may well increase in the coming years.
Plot
There There follows twelve interconnected characters from Native American communities in Oakland, California, all of whom are planning to attend the Big Oakland Powwow. The novel weaves together their stories, revealing their struggles with identity, addiction, and the legacy of historical trauma.
Among the central characters are Jacquie Red Feather, a recently sober woman trying to reconnect with her family; Dene Oxendene, who is honoring his late uncle by working at the powwow; and Orvil Red Feather, a teenager preparing to perform traditional dance for the first time. As their narratives unfold, we learn about their personal histories and the complex web of relationships connecting them.
The plot builds momentum as it becomes clear that a group of young men, including characters Tony Loneman and Octavio Gomez, are planning to rob the powwow. They have smuggled in 3D-printed guns and intend to steal the prize money to pay off drug debts. This impending threat looms over the gathering as the various characters make their way to the Oakland Coliseum.
The novel culminates at the powwow itself, where the characters' storylines converge in a dramatic and violent climax. The robbery attempt leads to chaos and tragedy, forever altering the lives of those in attendance and highlighting the ongoing struggles faced by Urban Indians in contemporary America.
Themes
Urban Native American identity and experience
Intergenerational trauma and cultural loss
Authenticity and belonging
Family relationships and reconciliation
Substance abuse and recovery
Violence and its impact on communities
Resilience and cultural revitalization
Setting
Set in the early 21st century, There There unfolds primarily in Oakland, California. The novel captures the urban landscape of this diverse city, with its blend of concrete, glass, and steel juxtaposed against the ancestral lands of indigenous peoples. Oakland serves as both a physical setting and a symbolic representation of the displacement and relocation many Native Americans have experienced.
Within Oakland, the story moves through various neighborhoods and locations, from residential areas to public spaces. A key focal point is the Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, where the climactic powwow takes place. This venue becomes a gathering place for the diverse cast of characters, symbolizing both cultural celebration and the potential for conflict.
Characters
Tony Loneman: A young man with fetal alcohol syndrome who calls his condition “the Drome.” He struggles with his identity and becomes involved in a plot to rob the Big Oakland Powwow. Tony's involvement in the robbery stems from his desire to prove himself and escape his difficult circumstances.
Dene Oxendene: An aspiring filmmaker working to complete his uncle's documentary project about Urban Indians in Oakland. Dene sets up a storytelling booth at the powwow to collect oral histories. He grapples with grief over his uncle's death and his own sense of cultural identity.
Opal Viola Victoria Bear Shield: A mail carrier who raised her sister Jacquie's three grandsons after Jacquie's daughter committed suicide. As a child, Opal participated in the Native American occupation of Alcatraz. She tries to protect her family while confronting painful memories from her past.
Edwin Black: A depressed, overweight young man with a master's degree in Native American literature. He struggles with unemployment and an internet addiction while searching for his Native father. Edwin's journey of self-discovery leads him to volunteer at the powwow.
Blue: A woman who escaped an abusive marriage and now works for the powwow committee. She searches for information about her birth mother while navigating her new life in Oakland.
Jacquie Red Feather: Opal's half-sister who is newly sober and working as a substance abuse counselor. Jacquie grapples with guilt over giving up her first daughter for adoption and the suicide of another daughter. She attends the powwow hoping to reconnect with her grandsons.
Orvil Red Feather: Jacquie's 14-year-old grandson who secretly learns traditional dancing through YouTube videos. He plans to dance at the powwow despite his family's skepticism about embracing Native traditions.
Octavio Gomez: A young man involved in drug dealing who plans the powwow robbery to pay off debts. He recruits others, including Tony, to assist in the scheme.
Calvin Johnson: A man struggling with his Native identity who gets involved in Octavio's robbery plot. He attends the powwow conflicted about his participation in the crime.
Thomas Frank: An alcoholic janitor who lost his job and struggles with his mixed-race identity. He attends the powwow to honor his father's memory.
Daniel Gonzales: A teenager involved in Octavio's robbery plan who helps manufacture 3D-printed guns for the crime.
Bill Davis: Edwin's mother's boyfriend who offers Edwin a job at the Indian Center. He tries to help Edwin connect with his Native heritage.
Quick facts
There There is Tommy Orange's debut novel, published in 2018.
The book follows 12 characters from Native communities in Oakland, California.
Orange himself is a member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes and was raised in Oakland.
The novel's title references Gertrude Stein's quote about Oakland: “There is no there there."
It was named one of the 10 Best Books of 2018 by The New York Times Book Review.
The book won the 2018 Center for Fiction First Novel Prize.
Orange wrote part of the novel while working at a used bookstore.
The story culminates at a powwow at the Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum.
It was a finalist for the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.
A sequel/prequel titled Wandering Stars was published in February 2024.
About the Author
Tommy Orange, born in 1982 in Oakland, California, is an American novelist and writer of Native American heritage. He is an enrolled member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma. Orange's background is diverse, with a father who was a Native American ceremony leader and a mother who converted to Christianity for a time.
Orange's journey to becoming a writer was not straightforward. He spent a decade playing roller hockey at a national level and began playing music at 18. After obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in sound arts, he worked at a bookstore where he developed a passion for reading and writing. This led him to pursue a Master of Fine Arts from the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA), where he now teaches.
Orange's debut novel, There There, published in 2018, catapulted him into the literary spotlight. The book, which tells the story of urban Native Americans in Oakland, was inspired by Orange's work at a Native American Health Center. It received numerous accolades, including the John Leonard Prize, the PEN/Hemingway Award, and the American Book Award. The novel was also a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.
In addition to his novels, Orange has published short stories in various literary magazines and a profile of a Native American teen for Esquire. His second novel, Wandering Stars, was released in 2024 and has been longlisted for the Booker Prize. Orange currently resides in Oakland with his wife and two sons, continuing to write and teach while advocating for greater visibility and representation of Native American stories in literature.
