Scan barcode
benrogerswpg's review against another edition
3.0
I felt this was a pretty good book.
Not my favorite Indigenous read, but still pretty good.
3.3/5
Not my favorite Indigenous read, but still pretty good.
3.3/5
bookbirder's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book and learnt a lot from it. It was very well written and kept me interested throughout. I would definitely recommend it.
My reason for only giving it 4/5 stars (though probably more like 4.5/5) is due to the organization of the book. The first third speaks about the authors experience in Ottawa and makes it sound like it is her first time in the South. About a third of the way through, it switches to the timeline of her childhood up to the point at which she moves to Ottawa.
It did make me feel intrigued as to how she reached Ottawa so there were pros to ordering the book this way. However, while around the middle point of this book, I felt confused about the sudden change in era, which I think could have been avoided by making the memoir chronological.
My reason for only giving it 4/5 stars (though probably more like 4.5/5) is due to the organization of the book. The first third speaks about the authors experience in Ottawa and makes it sound like it is her first time in the South. About a third of the way through, it switches to the timeline of her childhood up to the point at which she moves to Ottawa.
It did make me feel intrigued as to how she reached Ottawa so there were pros to ordering the book this way. However, while around the middle point of this book, I felt confused about the sudden change in era, which I think could have been avoided by making the memoir chronological.
fionak's review against another edition
4.0
That was lovely and I read it slowly so it would last longer. Mini is so non-judgemental and its a joy to hear about her life (although it's sad afterwards realizing that what she described has been destroyed and she's been forced into the Qallunaat way for all her adult life now which is probably why I didn't want it to end.)
mamasquirrel's review against another edition
4.0
I have to admit I didn't finish this book, but the half I did read was really thought-provoking. I enjoyed how the language and first-person narrative feels like the author is adrift in a land not her own. She is caught between homelands, languages and peoples and navigates in a sincere and humble way. An important book to be sure.
towardinfinitybooks's review against another edition
3.0
Native Literature Challenge 2020 task: A book by an Inuk author
ketonks's review against another edition
5.0
An honest, simple, and vital memoir of an Inuk woman's experiences during a time of massive transition in Canadian Inuit communities. The editors did a great job at retaining Aodla Freeman's voice. An important yet subtle work that has finally found a readership after its original publication in 1978.
wapasiw's review against another edition
5.0
AMAZING! I loved reading about the James Bay Inuit and Mini's family. The writing is so vivid and makes me want to read more and more.
ivybeans's review against another edition
4.0
This was an excellent book once I got used to Mini's short sentences. I knew Mini when she was working on this book. I was in university in Hamilton Ontario and was dating her daughter. I found the family hard to understand sometimes because often very little was said. There were a lot of very meaningful silences. I knew that Inuit people didn't ask questions very often they just observed and learned that way. But I felt so sorry for Mini during this book because she said she was most often too shy to answer the questions the Qallunaat asked her no matter how simple or important. She is obviously an amazing lady and exceptionally intelligent. This book was written in the late 1970's but has been lost for many years. I am so happy it has been rediscovered and is now available as an audiobook. It should be considered an important piece of Canadian literature about a mostly lost way of life. I was selflessly disappointed she stopped her story when she moved to Ottawa in the late 1950's. I would have liked to hear the story of her married life when she had her children. I think there is an important story there too that either she or her editor decided not to include.
read_with_inuk's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this book!
THe first 1/4 was a bit slow, but then the rest of the book is great. Both my parents are Inuit, and I knew a lot of this stuff internally but seeing it in writing was really clarifying. It put some of the teaching I got into clear view, like why it's important to keep your living clear because it keeps you clear, and why my mom had certain mannerisms etc. It was also helpful to read as an Inuk among the Qallunaat. I'm so glad they re-printed and re-released this book!
THe first 1/4 was a bit slow, but then the rest of the book is great. Both my parents are Inuit, and I knew a lot of this stuff internally but seeing it in writing was really clarifying. It put some of the teaching I got into clear view, like why it's important to keep your living clear because it keeps you clear, and why my mom had certain mannerisms etc. It was also helpful to read as an Inuk among the Qallunaat. I'm so glad they re-printed and re-released this book!
kasiasosnowski's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book - definitely recommend!! The way that Mini Aodla Freeman describes her life and her position as an Inuk woman living up North with her family and negotiating Qallunaat (white) communities is so interesting. She herself is shy, determined, full of character, and her Inuk humour is imbedded throughout the memoir.