Reviews

Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese

anni_23's review against another edition

emotional inspiring sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

brennamclean's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

wendyum's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

basketkaceee's review against another edition

4.0

so much more than a hockey book

colleen_be's review

challenging dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

rscanlan's review against another edition

challenging emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated

4.5

lisamchuk's review against another edition

5.0

Saul Indian Horse ends up in an alcohol treatment centre. In order to find some peace, it is suggested to him that he write his story. Saul traces his childhood from the time he spent living on the land with his Ojibway family in the 1950s, through to his horrific experience in a residential school in the 1960s. He narrates the hidden joy he finds as he learns to play hockey, as well as the racist realities he faces trying to work his way up to a major league hockey team. Eventually his past catches up to him, and the climax of the novel tells of his journey to find himself again.

Wow. Amazing. I read this book in one sitting on a Sunday. I couldn't put it down. Wagamese has a gifted way with words, and creates a vivid and moving depiction of the hardships faced by Aboriginal people in Canada. Plus, there's a healthy dose of hockey action.

I knew about residential schools before reading this book - but now I understand. I understand so much: what it was like, and how it affected and still affects generations of people. For me, reading Indian Horse was a profound experience.

This was the best book I've read in a long time. I don't have the words to describe how amazing it was. Take my advice - read it - it'll change your opinion about Canada's past, present and future.

prufrockian22's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

4.75

Devastating book - truly informative on the history of what Canada did to its indigenous populations and also weirdly enough made me feel love for hockey for the first and probably last time in my life. The prose was crisp and well constructed and I keep coming back and thinking about this one. 

afilmbycody's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Heart wrenching stuff. This was so good!

runningdobe's review against another edition

4.0

Beautiful

Lots of history and great insight in this book. Much to think about. Growing up as a Native American in a white man's world. Isolated, abused and marginalized. Yet, triumphant and found.