Hardcover, 272 pages
Czech language
Published 2021 by Vyšehrad.
Románový debut talentovaného indiánského autora přibližuje život potomků původních obyvatel v současné Americe. Proplétající se příběhy směřují k tradiční indiánské slavnosti powwow, která se má poprvé odehrát na obřím betonovém stadionu v kalifornském Oaklandu. Právě sem se sjíždějí hlavní postavy knihy, z nichž většina má poměrně pohnutý osud. Powwow, dnes taneční událost ve světle neonů, je jakýmsi symbolem postavení indiánů.
Tommy Orange mistrně líčí vnitřní konflikt mezi tradiční indiánskou identitou a životem v dnešním velkoměstě s jeho neduhy, jako jsou nezaměstnanost, nevyřešené vztahy či závislost na alkoholu, drogách, počítačích. Kniha psaná moderním jazykem rozbíjí idealizovanou představu poklidného života v indiánských rezervacích – představuje výrazné individuality, městské indiány 21. století, rozkročené mezi snahou udržovat tradice a moderním životním stylem.
The characters are rich and compelling, the timeline spans generations, and the threads all tie together. Just wonderful storytelling all around.
I learned about this book because the author came to my school freshman year. I didn't get one of the free copies they were giving out at the time, but it stayed on my mind and I saw it as an audiobook so I figured I'd check it out. Oh boy, what a journey, harder and harder to put down. If you're familiar with "The Overstory" by Richard Powers, you're introduced to several different characters with some common themes that link them to a major event—that is what came to mind when reading this book structure wise. I never finished "the Overstory" and I wouldn't compare the plot otherwise. For "There There", the final event, as well as things that happen to characters of various indigenous descent, all connected to Oakland, will sit with you for a long time. It's different from other books by indigenous folx, I've read with …
I learned about this book because the author came to my school freshman year. I didn't get one of the free copies they were giving out at the time, but it stayed on my mind and I saw it as an audiobook so I figured I'd check it out. Oh boy, what a journey, harder and harder to put down. If you're familiar with "The Overstory" by Richard Powers, you're introduced to several different characters with some common themes that link them to a major event—that is what came to mind when reading this book structure wise. I never finished "the Overstory" and I wouldn't compare the plot otherwise. For "There There", the final event, as well as things that happen to characters of various indigenous descent, all connected to Oakland, will sit with you for a long time. It's different from other books by indigenous folx, I've read with an emphasis on cultural loss/revitalization/reclamation in an urban context. It reminds me more of what I've heard from indigenous podcasts about current indigenous issues. I really enjoyed the role of grandmothers in this book as well.
