A review by librarianinacardigan
Winter Counts by David Heska Wanbli Weiden

challenging dark reflective tense medium-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

This was one of the books that got me back into reading after a long hiatus due to college/grad school, and boy am I glad I read this book. The characters are flawed and real while also being people you can root for, and the themes of family and the desire to protect your loved ones resonated with me deeply, since I come from a (different type of) broken family myself. I was hooked all the way through. 

The author also beautifully and hauntingly weaves throughout the book aspects of Lakota culture as well as the troubling realities of how the government (and many people in general) approach and treat indigenous people and tribal lands. This juxtaposition is remarkably powerful, and I will certainly snatch up whatever book the author writes next.
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