The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian (10th Anniversary Edition)

By: Sherman Alexie

Narrated by: Sherman Alexie

Best-selling author Sherman Alexie tells the story of Junior, a budding cartoonist growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Determined to take his future into his own hands, Junior leaves his troubled school on the rez to attend an all-white farm town high school where the only other Indian is the school mascot.

Heartbreaking, funny, and beautifully written, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, which is based on the author's own experiences, coupled with poignant drawings by Ellen Forney that reflect the character's art, chronicles the contemporary adolescence of one Native American boy as he attempts to break away from the life he was destined to live.

With a forward by Markus Zusak, interviews with Sherman Alexie and Ellen Forney, and four-color interior art throughout, this edition is perfect for fans and collectors alike.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2012 Sherman Alexie (P)2019 Hachette Audio

Alexie's YA novel

he Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is the second Sherman Alexie book I listened to after You Don't Have to Say You Love Me. The audio versions were read by the author himself which to me really made the experience as he holds back no emotions, happy or sad, and really makes the stories come to life. I feel like reading a paper copy of the book would give one only half the experience. Additionally, I listened to the 10th anniversary edition of Part-Time Indian which contained some excellent bonus content such as a chapter about best friend Rowdy (real name Randy) which was as emotional, and I thought as good, as anything in the main text of the book. There is also and hour-long interview with the author at the end full of all sorts of interesting stories and thoughts of future plans, many of which didn't come to fruition due to the author's well-publicized personal issues. An accompanying PDF contains all of the author's cartoons featured in the paper book.

This is considered his YA book and Alexie doesn't hold back with regard of describing what life is like for an adolescent boy, and how hard it was growing up Indian, on and off the "rez". You've got your funny moments, profane moments, sad moments (many, many sad moments) - Alexie throws it all out there in detail and doesn't mince words. Hopelessness is a main theme. Apparently, this book was banned in places for it's graphic nature. I don't get it. Real life is not always duckies and bunnies.

I wish I would've read this book before You Don't Have to Say You Love Me, as it felt like sort of a prequel. You Don't Have to Say You Love Me was probably the best book I read in 2017 and I liked it better than Part-Time Indian as I'm not big on YA and don't feel the need to see life through any teen's eyes. But I'm glad that Alexie laid it all out there and didn't pull any punches with respect to language and the graphic details to show how difficult life was for the adolescent part-time Indian.

A modern classic

Such a great coming of age epic that is both so intimate and so global. Great addenda interviews, etc as well.

Loved It!

Absolutely loved this book!

I read and reread this book many times...it was so heartfelt and opened up so many avenues that a great book could travel to in your mind. I highly recommend this book for every age group.

Excellent story

Excellent story with a lot of tears. It was easiest for me to get into the story when listening on 1.3 or 1.4 speed.

Great read

love it. I have the book and have read it in the past. But listening to this and doing my beadwork is just wonderful. Sherman should read all his book here.

An engaging story told in the voice of the author.

From the beginning of the story to the end, I laughed, I raged, and I cried. Not only was this story well-written, it was read as though the author was right here with me, telling me his story. The extra PDF was a great addition that added to the story.

Sooo Good!

My husband and I are so glad that we listened to the audio version of True Diary! It was through a review online that I learned of this story, and downloaded it. So glad I did! My husband's best friend was an indian from Oklahoma. They were wild teenagers together. At age 16, Steve took a corner too fast on a dirt road and killed himself. My husband has never gotten over this tragedy. He cried a lot relating to the friendship aspect between Arnold and Rowdy. I was impressed and inspired by the many relationships and the insights painted throughout the landscape of this memoir.

great story and characters are super appealing

this book was recommended to me by my 7th grade ELA teacher and I gave this book a chance, i love it because this book not only sheds light on the poverty and how modern day Indians are looked at with a side eye and are in poverty, and just to add to how appealing it is to teens like me it has some teenage humor as well as unpredictable characters. i recommend this book to any teen who love books based on humor and plot

Such a great story for all to read!

I wanted to see for myself why this book has been banned. I encourage all people to read this book and decide for yourself if this should be a banned book. I am glad that being a banned book actually increases sales! This is a beautifully written story of a beautiful young man’s journey. Thank you Mr. Sherman for sharing your precious story with the world.

Great book but horrible narrator

Fantastic book with great message, but the narrator is so damned awful it nearly ruins it.