Reviews

The Second Chance of Benjamin Waterfalls by James Bird

naomiysl's review

2.0

I feel so sad about this book. Tight writing, great storytelling, and complex characters...as long as those characters are men. I enjoyed the read, and then thought about it for a minute and got mad. Basic premise: boy is adrift, mom is sad and sends him away, he gets saved by manic pixie dream girl. Now they're dating. I really wanted to love this book, with it being own voices and everything. Sigh.   

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Abandonment

Minor: Car accident, Death of parent, and Mental illness

kristinajean's review

funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

gonsiorc's review

emotional funny hopeful reflective 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

3.5

jmr1193's review

adventurous emotional inspiring 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? Yes

4.0

janetval's review against another edition

hopeful

3.5

hillarylynch's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective 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? Yes

3.5

qace90's review

There’s nothing wrong with this book tho I’ve noticed between this one and The Brave, James Bird seems to really enjoy weird girls being the foil to the guys who helps them in personal growth. I wanted to read his backlist because I loved No Place Like Home, but neither has really worked for me, which saddens me but I hope they find the right audience for the books because they’re not bad, just not right for me.

aielinnae's review

5.0

A beautifully written story of unlikely friendship and discovering your true self within your identity. In the little tangible ways, readers will find themselves in one of the two main characters and be able to enjoy their ride into finding pride within themselves and each other.

keato's review

funny hopeful lighthearted 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

4.0

This book made me think a lot about how much we medicate people. The holistic, person/problem centered approach is a refreshing perspective. In another story, all the people who needed to be bloomed would have seen doctors or psychiatrists or therapists (which can be exactly what are needed and absolutely have their place). But Niimi’s problem solving approach was very sweet and made me think about native traditions and non-western healing. 

Benny’s reaction everytime he has an Emotion is so funny. “Feelings are for crybabies” HA. They set this character up for such a killer development arc. I do feel like the character development all kind of happened at the end instead of gradually, but it felt more like it had been a long time coming rather than rushed. I do like that he

went back to Duluth at the end instead of staying in Grand Portage. I feel like often times these books end with the MC staying in their new place, but I think it’s realistic for him to miss his home and his mom and also appreciate the connections he’s made in Grand Portage.

 

The MN places and things were so nostalgic for me. I loved the Tribe Called Red cameo moment and all the discussion of Duluth, Grand Portage, and Grand Marais. 

Niimi is such a killer character and I want to know her in real life. 

jwinchell's review

4.0

This was my first novel while having COVID and it was so good that I finished it in one day. I love James Bird’s The Brave, so I knew this was a must read. A similar formula, in his book Benjamin Waterfalls must leave his mom and Duluth because of his stealing habit and go 3 hours north to the reservation where his dad lives— his dad he hasn’t seen in 7 years because dad left to get his drinking problem under control. There is Ojibwe magic in this book and indigenous solutions and ways of being that help Benny eventually change his ways and start trying to live honestly and as a better human. It’s a story of redemption and I loved it.