Comments on: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie http://blog.mawbooks.com/2008/03/01/the-absolutely-true-diary-of-a-part-time-indian-by-sherman-alexie/ Maw Books - book reviews, book recommendations, book lists, author interviews and more! Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:25:20 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Lili http://blog.mawbooks.com/2008/03/01/the-absolutely-true-diary-of-a-part-time-indian-by-sherman-alexie/#comment-58239 Lili Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:56:56 +0000 http://blog.mawbooks.com/2008/03/01/the-absolutely-true-diary-of-a-part-time-indian-by-sherman-alexie/#comment-58239 The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is written in a style that can come off as crude and offensive to some. Although after comprehending and reading the story about Junior I can some what relate to the hardship he goes through. In life, we tend not to here the side of the "underdogs" or in this case the Native Americans. It might be a shock for us to see how they live so differently than an average white person but it is the truth. Yes, there might be more alcohol use, violence used in daily lives, and sexual references brought up by younger generations, but those are the negative facts that are commonly seen at Indian reservations. But what about the positive parts in the book? Sherman Alexie is an amazing writer who knows how to play with your mind. He isn't afraid to put two contrasting emotions and have you feel both at the same time. This book has won many awards but as I read only the negative comments I question why has it won so many awards if people only are dwelling on the negatives? Maybe, it is because under all of the controversial topics, we can pick up the themes that aren't always easy to hear but we find ways to relate to them. For instance, family and friends are always there for you even through times of change. The truth can show us that no matter how different we are, we are all the same in some way. And the truth should be told. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is written in a style that can come off as crude and offensive to some. Although after comprehending and reading the story about Junior I can some what relate to the hardship he goes through. In life, we tend not to here the side of the “underdogs” or in this case the Native Americans. It might be a shock for us to see how they live so differently than an average white person but it is the truth. Yes, there might be more alcohol use, violence used in daily lives, and sexual references brought up by younger generations, but those are the negative facts that are commonly seen at Indian reservations. But what about the positive parts in the book? Sherman Alexie is an amazing writer who knows how to play with your mind. He isn’t afraid to put two contrasting emotions and have you feel both at the same time. This book has won many awards but as I read only the negative comments I question why has it won so many awards if people only are dwelling on the negatives? Maybe, it is because under all of the controversial topics, we can pick up the themes that aren’t always easy to hear but we find ways to relate to them. For instance, family and friends are always there for you even through times of change. The truth can show us that no matter how different we are, we are all the same in some way. And the truth should be told.

]]> By: Natasha Maw http://blog.mawbooks.com/2008/03/01/the-absolutely-true-diary-of-a-part-time-indian-by-sherman-alexie/#comment-58201 Natasha Maw Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:12:49 +0000 http://blog.mawbooks.com/2008/03/01/the-absolutely-true-diary-of-a-part-time-indian-by-sherman-alexie/#comment-58201 Julian - I'm sorry you felt that way. Grace - There aren't a lot of books out there for teen boys so it's great that this one is out there. Imogene - I just saw Alexie speak in person and he was HILARIOUS. A stand-up comedian. So funny. Julian – I’m sorry you felt that way.

Grace – There aren’t a lot of books out there for teen boys so it’s great that this one is out there.

Imogene – I just saw Alexie speak in person and he was HILARIOUS. A stand-up comedian. So funny.

]]> By: Imogene http://blog.mawbooks.com/2008/03/01/the-absolutely-true-diary-of-a-part-time-indian-by-sherman-alexie/#comment-57997 Imogene Tue, 03 Nov 2009 02:24:38 +0000 http://blog.mawbooks.com/2008/03/01/the-absolutely-true-diary-of-a-part-time-indian-by-sherman-alexie/#comment-57997 I found this book hilarious, the way Sherman Alexie writes, is as if he is a young boy, made the book seem realistic. Alexie's truthful writing created a novel but made it seem like a story that he will tell his son when he is old enough. I believe that this novel was hard to write for Alexie, since is was about his childhood, but the way he put himself out there, for the whole world to read of his journeys through out high school is really brave. It shows how Alexie doesn't care what other people think, and how courageous he is to put himself out there, just like Junior does. I found this book hilarious, the way Sherman Alexie writes, is as if he is a young boy, made the book seem realistic. Alexie’s truthful writing created a novel but made it seem like a story that he will tell his son when he is old enough. I believe that this novel was hard to write for Alexie, since is was about his childhood, but the way he put himself out there, for the whole world to read of his journeys through out high school is really brave. It shows how Alexie doesn’t care what other people think, and how courageous he is to put himself out there, just like Junior does.

]]> By: Grace http://blog.mawbooks.com/2008/03/01/the-absolutely-true-diary-of-a-part-time-indian-by-sherman-alexie/#comment-57995 Grace Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:59:00 +0000 http://blog.mawbooks.com/2008/03/01/the-absolutely-true-diary-of-a-part-time-indian-by-sherman-alexie/#comment-57995 I think that the charm of the book came from the fact that it was written from a young teenage boy's perspective. The writing was simple and direct and it made the book easy to relate to understand. If you look deeper into the themes of the book you find that there are very mature messages about identity and self discovery. I think the controversy around banning the book is ridiculous. The inappropriate parts are what adds to the honesty of the book. I think there is a lot of reality in this book and we should not be afraid of it, but instead embrace it and respect that it is so openly written about. I think that the charm of the book came from the fact that it was written from a young teenage boy’s perspective. The writing was simple and direct and it made the book easy to relate to understand. If you look deeper into the themes of the book you find that there are very mature messages about identity and self discovery. I think the controversy around banning the book is ridiculous. The inappropriate parts are what adds to the honesty of the book. I think there is a lot of reality in this book and we should not be afraid of it, but instead embrace it and respect that it is so openly written about.

]]> By: julian http://blog.mawbooks.com/2008/03/01/the-absolutely-true-diary-of-a-part-time-indian-by-sherman-alexie/#comment-52739 julian Sun, 20 Sep 2009 01:43:28 +0000 http://blog.mawbooks.com/2008/03/01/the-absolutely-true-diary-of-a-part-time-indian-by-sherman-alexie/#comment-52739 this book was rather disagreeable. it was a 6th grade writing style with the maturity level of an 8th grader. any body in their right mind would know that this book is a failure and the publisher should be defenestrated and ashamed of him or herself. pity... this book was rather disagreeable. it was a 6th grade writing style with the maturity level of an 8th grader. any body in their right mind would know that this book is a failure and the publisher should be defenestrated and ashamed of him or herself.
pity…

]]> By: Cody http://blog.mawbooks.com/2008/03/01/the-absolutely-true-diary-of-a-part-time-indian-by-sherman-alexie/#comment-22864 Cody Sun, 11 Jan 2009 18:57:46 +0000 http://blog.mawbooks.com/2008/03/01/the-absolutely-true-diary-of-a-part-time-indian-by-sherman-alexie/#comment-22864 being part indian, i found this book to be so funny. funny because it made me realize that at times all indians have is humor...what else is there to do sometimes but just accept things and laugh. i wasn't raised on the rez but my dad was. i can't wait to show him this book. i'd love to read it to him and just watch his reactions...tears, laughter, brutal honesty, and hopefully a hopeful smile. i thought the book was brilliant. being part indian, i found this book to be so funny. funny because it made me realize that at times all indians have is humor…what else is there to do sometimes but just accept things and laugh. i wasn’t raised on the rez but my dad was. i can’t wait to show him this book. i’d love to read it to him and just watch his reactions…tears, laughter, brutal honesty, and hopefully a hopeful smile. i thought the book was brilliant.

]]> By: Review: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian « Book Addiction http://blog.mawbooks.com/2008/03/01/the-absolutely-true-diary-of-a-part-time-indian-by-sherman-alexie/#comment-20685 Review: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian « Book Addiction Tue, 16 Dec 2008 12:07:45 +0000 http://blog.mawbooks.com/2008/03/01/the-absolutely-true-diary-of-a-part-time-indian-by-sherman-alexie/#comment-20685 [...] Natasha at Maw Books [...] [...] Natasha at Maw Books [...]

]]> By: Natasha Maw http://blog.mawbooks.com/2008/03/01/the-absolutely-true-diary-of-a-part-time-indian-by-sherman-alexie/#comment-20539 Natasha Maw Mon, 15 Dec 2008 04:15:21 +0000 http://blog.mawbooks.com/2008/03/01/the-absolutely-true-diary-of-a-part-time-indian-by-sherman-alexie/#comment-20539 Heather - There are a lot of themes in this little book. I'm off to find yours . . . Heather – There are a lot of themes in this little book. I’m off to find yours . . .

]]> By: Heather http://blog.mawbooks.com/2008/03/01/the-absolutely-true-diary-of-a-part-time-indian-by-sherman-alexie/#comment-20430 Heather Sat, 13 Dec 2008 22:15:59 +0000 http://blog.mawbooks.com/2008/03/01/the-absolutely-true-diary-of-a-part-time-indian-by-sherman-alexie/#comment-20430 I just wrote my review of this book... and I totally agree with you about not knowing what to say. I liked it, but it made me sad too... very conflicting! And there was so much going on in such a short book that I didn't really know how to explain what I liked about it. So, I put together a very short review. :) I linked to yours too! Thanks. I just wrote my review of this book… and I totally agree with you about not knowing what to say. I liked it, but it made me sad too… very conflicting! And there was so much going on in such a short book that I didn’t really know how to explain what I liked about it. So, I put together a very short review. :)
I linked to yours too! Thanks.

]]> By: Liviania http://blog.mawbooks.com/2008/03/01/the-absolutely-true-diary-of-a-part-time-indian-by-sherman-alexie/#comment-1800 Liviania Wed, 30 Apr 2008 20:29:15 +0000 http://blog.mawbooks.com/2008/03/01/the-absolutely-true-diary-of-a-part-time-indian-by-sherman-alexie/#comment-1800 I kind of want to read this, but I was disappointed by Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven. Still, it's been getting such good buzz. I kind of want to read this, but I was disappointed by Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven. Still, it’s been getting such good buzz.

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