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zoe_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.0
As with most short story collections, there are some stories that hit deeper than others, some that improve with time, and some that build upon each other until you reach a crescendo that really stabs the heart. In Born with a Tooth, the first story is very powerful, it was something that stuck with me ever since I've read it, and the images conjured by it will probably stay in my brain for a long time. The following stories are all on the spectrum of good, most of them are also devastating on some level (yet not without hope), andquite diverse. By the last section of the book, however, Boyden starts stringing the narratives together, building to a bigger conclusion, providing more insights than a single story would have been able to. And the effect of this is great, by the end of it I felt like crying and I couldn't have told you whether I would have cried because I'm sad or happy/hopeful.
maxwelldunn's review
4.0
Joseph Boyden never disappoints. I've read two of his novels before this—[b: The Orenda|17661831|The Orenda|Joseph Boyden|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1363710334s/17661831.jpg|24652514] and [b: Through Black Spruce|3479967|Through Black Spruce|Joseph Boyden|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1327971472s/3479967.jpg|3521296]—which I loved immensely. And even though this was a bit different, a short story collection and his first published work, it was just as excellent. The first few stories didn't grab my attention as much as I expected, but maybe that's due to me adjusting back to his storytelling and getting immersed in the setting. Boyden's stories all revolve around the First Nations, and he's so brilliant at capturing a variety of voices and describing the surroundings. Once I was into the stories though, I was hooked. I especially loved the final 4 stories which all tie together.
His stories are quiet, but powerful. They look into the often mundane or average aspects of reservation life in Canada, but Boyden is able to suffuse so much into his characters that the stories are never boring. Honestly, I would've been happy with any of these stories being turned into full novels. He's that good.
His stories are quiet, but powerful. They look into the often mundane or average aspects of reservation life in Canada, but Boyden is able to suffuse so much into his characters that the stories are never boring. Honestly, I would've been happy with any of these stories being turned into full novels. He's that good.
mattquann's review against another edition
4.0
I'd put off Boyden for a while after he became the subject of national controversy after his Indigenous identity was called into question. The writer of the article tagged above does a better job digging into the nuance of that situation than I'd attempt, and is worth a read if you're trying to come to terms with the Boyden situation. Personally, I try and draw a dividing line between an artist's conduct and their work. It's a bit tough with Boyden since his advocacy for the Canadian Indigenous people and his reputation were built upon his perceived heritage. I'm not sure I've reconciled my divided feelings on the man, but I knew I wanted to return to his work after really enjoying Three Day Road and being pretty moved by Wenjack.
Fortunately, all of my hesitation was alleviated when I walked into the painfully violent, dark, and emotionally volatile stories of Boyden in Born With A Tooth. Over the course of 13 stories divided into East (Labour), South(Ruin), West(Running), and North(Home), Boyden details stories of abuse, murder, the ravages of addiction, cultural genocide, and the legacy of residential schools, all set in different Ontario locations. Boyden examines reserves with an unflinching narrative eye, showing both moments of depravity and hope couched in the history of Canada's Indigenous peoples.
The eponymous story details a teenage girl who's obsession with a wolf leads to her exploitation by a visiting teacher. Men Don't Ask was the most harrowing story for me in its bleak portrayal of violence against aboriginal women. Painted Tongue is one of the few stories set in Toronto and is a heartbreaking look at a man lost to drink reminiscing about the loss of his dignity as well as his land. The weakest story of the bunch for me was Abitibi Canyon. It wasn't bad, but it didn't live up to the quality of the other stories in this collection. But it is the beautifully woven final four short stories that depict four individuals living in Sharpening Teeth after a young woman's suicide.
Boyden has become a key figure in opening the discussion about reconciliation in Canada, and his novels and short stories provide a window into a part of the nation that all too many Canadians never know. These short stories rocked me. Some were so dark that I'd have to put the collection down for days before resuming my reading. They also surprised me with moments of beauty and understanding. Even if I'm conflicted about the man, I find it pretty hard not to enjoy his writing.
[4.5 Stars]
Fortunately, all of my hesitation was alleviated when I walked into the painfully violent, dark, and emotionally volatile stories of Boyden in Born With A Tooth. Over the course of 13 stories divided into East (Labour), South(Ruin), West(Running), and North(Home), Boyden details stories of abuse, murder, the ravages of addiction, cultural genocide, and the legacy of residential schools, all set in different Ontario locations. Boyden examines reserves with an unflinching narrative eye, showing both moments of depravity and hope couched in the history of Canada's Indigenous peoples.
The eponymous story details a teenage girl who's obsession with a wolf leads to her exploitation by a visiting teacher. Men Don't Ask was the most harrowing story for me in its bleak portrayal of violence against aboriginal women. Painted Tongue is one of the few stories set in Toronto and is a heartbreaking look at a man lost to drink reminiscing about the loss of his dignity as well as his land. The weakest story of the bunch for me was Abitibi Canyon. It wasn't bad, but it didn't live up to the quality of the other stories in this collection. But it is the beautifully woven final four short stories that depict four individuals living in Sharpening Teeth after a young woman's suicide.
Boyden has become a key figure in opening the discussion about reconciliation in Canada, and his novels and short stories provide a window into a part of the nation that all too many Canadians never know. These short stories rocked me. Some were so dark that I'd have to put the collection down for days before resuming my reading. They also surprised me with moments of beauty and understanding. Even if I'm conflicted about the man, I find it pretty hard not to enjoy his writing.
[4.5 Stars]
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