by Joshua Whitehead
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The introduction alone, to this collection, has given me a lot to think on. From questioning what defines an apocalypse (one idea: Native Americans had theirs with colonialism and today is their dystopia), to understanding a bit more about how Native cultures have non-gender roles in their traditions, and what it means to be LGBTQ+ inside Native cultures. There is a lot to learn in these stories.
Story #1 - Abacus by Nathan Adler
A cute little love story between an AI and a human.
Story #2 - History of the New World by Adam Garnet Jones
A lovely story of possible migration to another planet, and the inherent destructiveness of humans.
Story #3 - The Ark of the Turtle’s Back by Jayne Simpson
A unique melancholy feel to this story. Really enjoyed it and the idea that leaving the Earth would be impossible for those whom are connected to the land.
Story #4 - How to Survive the Apocalypse for Native Girls by Kai Minosh Pyle
A touching narrative about how a lesbian native girl copes to ‘fit in’ before she realizes that maybe she can make her own world to ‘fit’ into it.
Story #5 - Andwanikadjigan by Gabriel Castilloux Calderon
Say that title five times fast... or you know even once.
A beautiful story about passing oral stories down the generational line.
I imagine having a mark for every story I know. I’d strive to be a beautiful tattooed/marked girl whose original skin colour would be hidden. 😉
Story #6 - Story for a Bottle by Darcie Little Badger
A wonderful story! Reminds me of the writing style of Paolo Bacigalupi. Well paced, evenly voiced; but clever science fiction dystopia.
Story #7 - The Seed Children by Mari Kurisato
I wonder if so many of these stories compare the indigenous to AIs, synthetics or other non-human entities because the tribes see themselves as so starkly different from the rest of the human race (or at least the majority of us).
Another brilliant story that has a happy ending which is rare in sci-fi stories.
Story #8 - Nameless by Nazbah Tom
Dream communication is one of the many stories I heard as a child and understood to be a skill or talent only available to some people. It was always the Indigenous tribes that live on the edge of, or near my city. I remember being envious of them then; and I’m envious of them now after this story.
Story #9 - Eloise by David A. Robertson
This is like an episode of Black Mirror. In fact I think they should legit take this story and make into one. Brilliant, creepy and certainly worthy of thought. Would you rather get over someone or spend 400 virtual years forgetting them?
Overall
In a word: Fabulous! In all the ways and meanings of the word.
This is a MUST read for any LGBTQ+ reader; and certainly a great introduction to two-spirit, Indigiqueer symbolism, placement in Indigenous culture, and where today these wonderful folks fit.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The introduction alone, to this collection, has given me a lot to think on. From questioning what defines an apocalypse (one idea: Native Americans had theirs with colonialism and today is their dystopia), to understanding a bit more about how Native cultures have non-gender roles in their traditions, and what it means to be LGBTQ+ inside Native cultures. There is a lot to learn in these stories.
Story #1 - Abacus by Nathan Adler
A cute little love story between an AI and a human.
Story #2 - History of the New World by Adam Garnet Jones
A lovely story of possible migration to another planet, and the inherent destructiveness of humans.
“…we must always strive for balance. Above all else, our circle must be round.”
A unique melancholy feel to this story. Really enjoyed it and the idea that leaving the Earth would be impossible for those whom are connected to the land.
Story #4 - How to Survive the Apocalypse for Native Girls by Kai Minosh Pyle
A touching narrative about how a lesbian native girl copes to ‘fit in’ before she realizes that maybe she can make her own world to ‘fit’ into it.
Story #5 - Andwanikadjigan by Gabriel Castilloux Calderon
Say that title five times fast... or you know even once.
A beautiful story about passing oral stories down the generational line.
I imagine having a mark for every story I know. I’d strive to be a beautiful tattooed/marked girl whose original skin colour would be hidden. 😉
Story #6 - Story for a Bottle by Darcie Little Badger
A wonderful story! Reminds me of the writing style of Paolo Bacigalupi. Well paced, evenly voiced; but clever science fiction dystopia.
Story #7 - The Seed Children by Mari Kurisato
I wonder if so many of these stories compare the indigenous to AIs, synthetics or other non-human entities because the tribes see themselves as so starkly different from the rest of the human race (or at least the majority of us).
Another brilliant story that has a happy ending which is rare in sci-fi stories.
Story #8 - Nameless by Nazbah Tom
Dream communication is one of the many stories I heard as a child and understood to be a skill or talent only available to some people. It was always the Indigenous tribes that live on the edge of, or near my city. I remember being envious of them then; and I’m envious of them now after this story.
Story #9 - Eloise by David A. Robertson
This is like an episode of Black Mirror. In fact I think they should legit take this story and make into one. Brilliant, creepy and certainly worthy of thought. Would you rather get over someone or spend 400 virtual years forgetting them?
Overall
In a word: Fabulous! In all the ways and meanings of the word.
This is a MUST read for any LGBTQ+ reader; and certainly a great introduction to two-spirit, Indigiqueer symbolism, placement in Indigenous culture, and where today these wonderful folks fit.
I’m so thankful that Joshua Whitehead chose to participating in WordFest 2020 (virtual) in Calgary. It was a pleasure to listen to him speak and learn more about his background and literature.
Follow me on Goodreads
1 comment:
I don't know where you find all these unique books! This one sounds really interesting.
Post a Comment