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leslico's review against another edition
5.0
Him Standing is a dark and mystical novella about Lucas Smoke, an Ojibway man who is a talented wood carver, an art which has been passed down for generations. He is commissioned by a stranger to carve a spirit mask, but he needs to see the face of this mask in his dreams first. His dreams become disturbing and then Lucas discovers the true nature of the what he has been asked to do.
The story and audiobook narration are so well executed that this did not feel like reading a book, it felt like I was sitting by a fire in a little cabin in the woods listening to Billy Merasty and Richard Wagamese telling a story. It was a truly immersive experience. I also loved that the audiobook ended with Richard Wagamese's About the Author summary, in the present tense, as it was written in the book. It makes it feel like he is still there in the woods outside Kamloops, winding between the trees and whispering stories to us. He truly is one of Canada's foremost Native authors and journalists, and I am very grateful to NetGalley and Bespeak Audio Editions for allowing me to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
The story and audiobook narration are so well executed that this did not feel like reading a book, it felt like I was sitting by a fire in a little cabin in the woods listening to Billy Merasty and Richard Wagamese telling a story. It was a truly immersive experience. I also loved that the audiobook ended with Richard Wagamese's About the Author summary, in the present tense, as it was written in the book. It makes it feel like he is still there in the woods outside Kamloops, winding between the trees and whispering stories to us. He truly is one of Canada's foremost Native authors and journalists, and I am very grateful to NetGalley and Bespeak Audio Editions for allowing me to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
jhane's review against another edition
3.0
Overall this was a very enjoyable story. I'm not sure who the target audience was, as it was a book I randomly ordered, but I had been expecting it to be more targeted towards adults. From the way it was written, I would say that a preteen audience would probably enjoy it best. It was a simple story, with an obvious ending and no particular wow factor, but I would certainly recommend it to older kids/younger teens
benrogerswpg's review
4.0
This was an interesting read.
Very much an Indigenous magical realism book. Something very unique.
I enjoyed the tale and even found it eerie at times.
It reminded me of an Indigenous Haruki Murakami book, which I liked a lot.
I found this book a fresh departure for Wagamese and thought it was very stylized.
I would recommend checking it out!
4.0/5
Very much an Indigenous magical realism book. Something very unique.
I enjoyed the tale and even found it eerie at times.
It reminded me of an Indigenous Haruki Murakami book, which I liked a lot.
I found this book a fresh departure for Wagamese and thought it was very stylized.
I would recommend checking it out!
4.0/5
geektastically's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
kimba13's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
chrispyschaller's review
4.0
Brisk tale of a woodcarver and shamans, as if recounted across the kitchen table or a campfire.
jolynne's review
4.0
A novella type book about facing your fears and remembering and living as your ancestors did.
leslico's review
5.0
Him Standing is a dark and mystical novella about Lucas Smoke, an Ojibway man who is a talented wood carver, an art which has been passed down for generations. He is commissioned by a stranger to carve a spirit mask, but he needs to see the face of this mask in his dreams first. His dreams become disturbing and then Lucas discovers the true nature of the what he has been asked to do.
The story and audiobook narration are so well executed that this did not feel like reading a book, it felt like I was sitting by a fire in a little cabin in the woods listening to Billy Merasty and Richard Wagamese telling a story. It was a truly immersive experience. I also loved that the audiobook ended with Richard Wagamese's About the Author summary, in the present tense, as it was written in the book. It makes it feel like he is still there in the woods outside Kamloops, winding between the trees and whispering stories to us. He truly is one of Canada's foremost Native authors and journalists, and I am very grateful to NetGalley and Bespeak Audio Editions for allowing me to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
The story and audiobook narration are so well executed that this did not feel like reading a book, it felt like I was sitting by a fire in a little cabin in the woods listening to Billy Merasty and Richard Wagamese telling a story. It was a truly immersive experience. I also loved that the audiobook ended with Richard Wagamese's About the Author summary, in the present tense, as it was written in the book. It makes it feel like he is still there in the woods outside Kamloops, winding between the trees and whispering stories to us. He truly is one of Canada's foremost Native authors and journalists, and I am very grateful to NetGalley and Bespeak Audio Editions for allowing me to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.