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wchereads's review
Tainna: The Unseen Ones is a collection of six short stories written by Norma Dunning, an Inuit author on turtle island (so-called Canada). The stories centred around several Inuit in various (and sometimes vastly different) circumstances, from unhoused people struggling to survive to the "ethnic member" of the wealthy (and White) widow club.
While I was reading it, I noted things that I would like to criticize. The more I thought about it, however, the more unsure I became about what exactly I was trying to criticize. Was it really any story in particular or the unfair reality that the stories reflect and is very much deserving of criticism? Was a female character's misogynistic opinion really the author writing normalized and unchallenged misogyny, when the same female character later formed a precious friendship with an older Inuit woman who also helped jump start her art career? Was the way antidepressants were dismissed in the story a dangerous misconception, or a reflection of the reality of over-medication? I thought the last story had (spoiler?) a strange hint of white saviourism, but isn't that also a reflection of real life where a white person's, specifically a white man's actions and words tend to get taken more seriously than those from an unhoused Inuit woman?
I would say the stories lack commentaries but that is not even very fair to say since these are short stories.
At the end of day, I did like the writing and I appreciate that this book made me have these reflections. I especially liked the folklore vibe from some of the stories. I would recommend it to people looking for a short story collection that is diverse but also centres the experiences and lives of Inuit.
While I was reading it, I noted things that I would like to criticize. The more I thought about it, however, the more unsure I became about what exactly I was trying to criticize. Was it really any story in particular or the unfair reality that the stories reflect and is very much deserving of criticism? Was a female character's misogynistic opinion really the author writing normalized and unchallenged misogyny, when the same female character later formed a precious friendship with an older Inuit woman who also helped jump start her art career? Was the way antidepressants were dismissed in the story a dangerous misconception, or a reflection of the reality of over-medication? I thought the last story had (spoiler?) a strange hint of white saviourism, but isn't that also a reflection of real life where a white person's, specifically a white man's actions and words tend to get taken more seriously than those from an unhoused Inuit woman?
I would say the stories lack commentaries but that is not even very fair to say since these are short stories.
At the end of day, I did like the writing and I appreciate that this book made me have these reflections. I especially liked the folklore vibe from some of the stories. I would recommend it to people looking for a short story collection that is diverse but also centres the experiences and lives of Inuit.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Racial slurs, Racism, and Rape
Moderate: Death, Murder, and Misogyny
Minor: Alcoholism
maren_hemsath's review
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Trafficking, Sexual violence, Rape, Racism, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, and Death
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Addiction and Murder
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