From the Ashes

My Story of Being Métis, Homeless, and Finding My Way

De: Jesse Thistle

Narrado por: Jesse Thistle

• Winner, Kobo Emerging Writer Prize Nonfiction
• Winner, Indigenous Voices Awards
• Winner, High Plains Book Awards
• Finalist, CBC Canada Reads
• A Globe and Mail Book of the Year
• An Indigo Book of the Year
• A CBC Best Canadian Nonfiction Book of the Year

In this extraordinary and inspiring debut memoir, Jesse Thistle, once a high-school dropout and now a rising Indigenous scholar, chronicles his life on the streets and how he overcame trauma and addiction to discover the truth about who he is.

If I can just make it to the next minute...then I might have a chance to live; I might have a chance to be something more than just a struggling crackhead.

From the Ashes is a remarkable memoir about hope and resilience and a revelatory look into the life of a Métis Cree man who refused to give up.

Abandoned by his parents as a toddler, Jesse Thistle briefly found himself in the foster-care system with his two brothers, cut off from all they had known. Eventually, the children landed in the home of their paternal grandparents, whose tough-love attitudes quickly resulted in conflicts. Throughout it all, the ghost of Jesse’s drug-addicted father haunted the halls of the house and the memories of every family member. Struggling with all that had happened, Jesse succumbed to a self-destructive cycle of drug and alcohol addiction and petty crime, spending more than a decade on and off the streets, often homeless. Finally, he realized he would die unless he turned his life around.

In this heart-warming and heart-wrenching memoir, Jesse Thistle writes honestly and fearlessly about his painful past, the abuse he endured, and how he uncovered the truth about his parents. Through sheer perseverance and education - and newfound love - he found his way back into the circle of his Indigenous culture and family.

An eloquent exploration of the impact of prejudice and racism, From the Ashes is, in the end, about how love and support can help us find happiness despite the odds.

©2019 Jesse Thistle (P)2019 Simon & Schuster Audio

A beautiful and touching memoir-Finding your way home

Jesse Thistle’s life story is touching, heartwarming, reaffirming, and real. From the Ashes recounts his life in great detail and left me wondering how some people are able to turn their lives around because they have a larger purpose in life to fulfill. Jesse’s voice and story will resonate within me for a long time.

stunning

This book is one of the most amazing pieces of art I’ve encountered.
His words tell of pathways not taken & those others, inexorable in their grip.

Stark reality

This is a riveting story of falling from grace, failure and redemption of a tortured soul. Thank you Jesse for your honesty.

Very Good Read

This was a very good book. I found the author's story cultural and informative. I appreciated the honesty and integrity of the stories he told. The descriptive detail kept me engaged. And I am very pleased to hear another Native's story.

Honest and raw

I have such an appreciation for all that the author shared in this book. It’s an amazing story. The narration by the author added to my enjoyment of the book. I listened to this book over one weekend as I was captivated by hearing the author tell his story. It is such a raw and honest account of all the challenges and difficulties that he faced. I was moved by his ability to overcome so many difficulties and succeed in so many ways. This is a story that’s well worth hearing.

good

I have immense gratitude for the author sharing his personal story with homelessness and addiction. powerful.

Immersive to Feel the Author's Pain

The author has endured a significant amount of pain but is still humble in the end

Fantastic!!

Fantastic!!! A story that is very well written and narrated by the author it is absolutely superb! It is a story that deserves to be heard!

The Truths I have Heard

The truths I have heard from other homeless and mixed race people presented here as it is and feels, with courage. If you dare to know here is your teacher. Please dare.

an important read

Jesse and his story is bound to be a national treasure. It is raw, sincere, innocent, transparent...through his rock bottom downs to his Everest climbs, Jesse Thistle conveys the tragedy of addiction and the rebirth of a life through never ending efforts to heal. He never forgets that his success depended on others loving , supporting and believing in his human strength and goodness.