Indian Horse

A Novel

By: Richard Wagamese

Narrated by: Jason Ryll

Saul Indian Horse is in critical condition. Sitting feeble in an alcoholism treatment facility, he is told that sharing his story will help relieve his agony. Though skeptical, he embarks on a heartbreaking journey from the present - and into the woods of Northern Ontario, where his life began in a snowy Ojibway camp. The tale that follows is one of great pain and great determination from Richard Wagamese, an author who "never seems to waste a shot" (New York Times).

After being taken forcibly from his family, Saul is placed in an abusive boarding school determined to expunge his Ojibway traditions and knowledge. But he finds salvation each morning at dawn, practicing hockey alone on the school's makeshift ice rink. Saul's gift is undeniable: He quickly rises from his school's all-Ojibway team to the white-dominated regional circuit. As his skills improve and he gains notoriety, however, each of his victories on the ice is met by racism and hate. As the years pass, Saul must reconcile his passion - the game he loves, that allowed him to escape poverty - with the harshness of a world that will never make him entirely welcome.

Unfolding against the bleak loveliness of Northern Ontario - all rock, marsh, bog, and cedar - this is a singular story of resilience from a beloved storyteller.

©2012 Richard Wagamese (P)2017 Audible, Inc.

Resilience where there shouldn’t have to be

Not an easy book to listen to. Individual story and how all of the systems impact Native Americans when they rip from their family. Sad but truthful.

Touching and tragic story

The storyteller does an amazing job of weaving his account that depicts the traumas and tragedies that he experienced, while bringing it full circle to the fact that this was the experience of a whole people. The hope and beauty that comes to a life when you can survive unspeakable traumatic events is bittersweet. a firsthand account of the brutal treatment of indigenous children is something that must be faced and acknowledged.

A Journey

absolutely spectacular journey through an entire range of emotions and experiences. there are definitely some heavy parts with abuse and pain, and that abuse and pain lingers throughout the backstory of sport, nature, and self-discovery. however, the book maintains a balanced tone an alternate between the narratives beautifully. it's wonderfully paced and an absolute joy to read.

Story and Storyteller

This was a good listen, the story was well written and the narrator was superb. Not only dives into the struggle with drink but also the plight of the native children. Well done

A Gem.

This book was not my first choice, it was a selection from my book club. I was very pleasantly surprised. It was beautifully written the language creating vivid imagery and very evocative. The subject was painful at times but was not graphic, and was dealt with honestly. I would recommend this.

So Important

4.5 stars for Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese. This is a fictionalized account of the life of one boy taken from his home and his parents when he was 12 and the trauma he endured at a Canadian Boarding School for Native American children under the reign of Catholic nuns and priests. It is equally heartbreaking and hopeful. I greatly appreciated the resolution that the main character found at the end of the book by circling back to where all of his trauma began. This is a tough read. Because it happened. And, I'm embarrassed to say I really don't know if I could have read this if it were more than a short book because it was hugely depressing. That being said, I think it is so important we push ourselves through and learn about the atrocities done in the name of religion and race. If we don't, how will we ever teach our children to become good humans? And, I think that the way Wagamese used hockey as both a lifeline and an anchor really keeps the reader from becoming so weighed down you just can't finish it. There is resolution. It may be complete fantasy to think that children survived the Hell of those boarding schools, but it helped in this fictionalized account to crack that door for me. And, we all start where we can. Trigger warnings across the board - child abuse both psychological/sexual (not explicit)/physical and child death.

Authentic

Great story; great reader! This book was an Ojibway odyssey—so much more authentic than Braiding Sweetgrass.

Tough but Necessary - Please listen to this book!

I am glad I listened to this book. It’s important to hear to correct pronunciation but it’s a bonus to hear an authentically First Nations/Canadian accent. This book made me cry a lot. It brought to life untold stories of horrific experiences of forced assimilation. I think it will help some see why drugs and alcohol are needed escapes from peoples minds until the right therapy can provide hope and the means to live without altercation. By far my favorite listen! I hope everyone listens to this book. First Nations communities need help, not condemnation or the ridicule of being mascots.

powerful, revealing

a moving and emotional story the rolls sports, family, self growth and history into a book you won't be able to out down.

Really enjoyed this one!

Story was told accurately without unreasonable (or belabored) blame. Truth without the sermon. Great read!