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archaicrobin's review
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
tense
fast-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? No
3.0
A short, fun, and magical indigenous tale with lore and traditions. The audiobook was narrated well and it was a relaxing tale of dark and light shamans of the Ojibwa culture.
ellenjoannecampbell's review
4.0
A very quick read and Billy Merasty is an excellent narrator. A lot of different themes are included, such as the inability of many modern-day Indigenous people to speak their language.
wraithofbooksandbones's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-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? It's complicated
4.75
stanwj's review
3.0
This novella has one of the most delightfully creepy covers I've seen in recent years. A quick glance at the premise--a young Ojibway man carver is asked to make a spirit mask by a mysterious stranger, with possibly dire consequences--and I was in.
Him standing is one of those stories that doesn't surprise in any way, but it achieves everything it sets out to do, making the time you spend with the amiable and slightly goofy protagonist Lucas Smoke perfectly enjoyable. Smoke's ability to capture a person's likeness, their essential essence, in wood attracts the attention of a vaguely menacing stranger who conscripts him to make a spirit mask for what turns out to be a Very Bad Reason. Hijinks follow involving shaman both good and evil, alive and not-exactly-alive, the dream world and more.
Richard Wagamese does a nice job of capturing the voice of Smoke, a charming, uncomplicated man whose core decency is as much a part of what saves him as is his ability to tap into mystical abilities he never knew he had. While his fight against the stranger--identified later as Gareth Knight, a modern-day shaman, is predictable, it's a fun little ride, peppered with quirky touches, like Knight's apparent obsession with different hats.
Him Standing is a solid read that does justice to its subject matter without descending into hokum.
Him standing is one of those stories that doesn't surprise in any way, but it achieves everything it sets out to do, making the time you spend with the amiable and slightly goofy protagonist Lucas Smoke perfectly enjoyable. Smoke's ability to capture a person's likeness, their essential essence, in wood attracts the attention of a vaguely menacing stranger who conscripts him to make a spirit mask for what turns out to be a Very Bad Reason. Hijinks follow involving shaman both good and evil, alive and not-exactly-alive, the dream world and more.
Richard Wagamese does a nice job of capturing the voice of Smoke, a charming, uncomplicated man whose core decency is as much a part of what saves him as is his ability to tap into mystical abilities he never knew he had. While his fight against the stranger--identified later as Gareth Knight, a modern-day shaman, is predictable, it's a fun little ride, peppered with quirky touches, like Knight's apparent obsession with different hats.
Him Standing is a solid read that does justice to its subject matter without descending into hokum.
caseythecanadianlesbrarian's review
5.0
What a perfect little powerful book.
"She smiled. 'There are always people who seek to help others find their way.' 'That's what a shaman does?' I asked. 'What about the magic?' 'That is the magic,' she said. I believed her "
"She smiled. 'There are always people who seek to help others find their way.' 'That's what a shaman does?' I asked. 'What about the magic?' 'That is the magic,' she said. I believed her "
marcirenee1974's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-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? No
4.0
I had no idea what this book was about when I decided to read it, which is pretty par for the course for me! I am so glad that I picked it up! I love learning about Native American tribes, cultures, and people so this book was a pleasant surprise for me!
This author did an amazing job drawing you into the story and how Lucas was feeling and struggling to find a way out of his situation. I always love books and stories about people learning and growing into their truth and this story was just that.
I will definitely be picking up more books by this author.
#HimStanding
#RichardWagamese
#NetGalley
This author did an amazing job drawing you into the story and how Lucas was feeling and struggling to find a way out of his situation. I always love books and stories about people learning and growing into their truth and this story was just that.
I will definitely be picking up more books by this author.
#HimStanding
#RichardWagamese
#NetGalley
dobbsthedog's review
3.0
Received from NetGalley, thanks!
I find it super weird when I check out the other NG sites and find Canadian content that I can't get on the North American site... I got this as an audiobook from the UK NG.
I enjoyed this! I've quite liked everything I've read from Richard Wagamese, I like the way he incorporates Indigenous knowledge/myth into his stories. This was a short novella, so it went quick and there wasn't anything overly deep to it, just a good story.
I find it super weird when I check out the other NG sites and find Canadian content that I can't get on the North American site... I got this as an audiobook from the UK NG.
I enjoyed this! I've quite liked everything I've read from Richard Wagamese, I like the way he incorporates Indigenous knowledge/myth into his stories. This was a short novella, so it went quick and there wasn't anything overly deep to it, just a good story.
matthew_p's review
5.0
Always good to read about the light overcoming the dark in these dark times, especially when told by a master storyteller.
marinaluna's review
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
I was very positively surprised by this book! I absolutely loved it and will read more by this author.
If it wasn't for the Popsugar's 2021 reading challenge I wouldn't have discovered this book!!! I was looking for a quick book to finish my reading challenge in time and stumbled across this one. What a wonderful find! Lucas finds he has a knack for carving items the same as his grandpa. When he takes on a commission for a mysterious man, an ornate mask, he begins to change and not for the better. The mask changes his whole personality and endangers those he loves. Is all lost and Him Standing will walk the Earth again, or will he find a way out of the predicament he is in? Extremely well written, engaging and you absolutely cannot put it down until you have read the end. Highly recommend it!!