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A review by kba76
Five Little Indians by Michelle Good
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The systematic abuse of the native children forcibly taken from their families and sent to residential schools is something that people involved with should be trying very hard to atone for their involvement with. It's bad enough the way the children were ripped from their families, often with no further contact allowed, but the abuse and neglect they often endured is shocking. Based on accounts from some of the survivors, Five Little Indians presents us with five characters and shows us a little of what they went through during their time in the school and afterwards.
This is very much the kind of book that should be read. It's uncomfortable. It's harrowing. But there is also a sense of hope and optimism that runs throughout the book, reminding us that these five characters are more than their school experience.
From Kenny and Lucy, whose childish infatuation is maintained into adulthood, to Howie, who is imprisoned after beating the Father who abused him and many other students, it's hard not to be affected by what we see happen to these characters. The neglect and abuse during the school years is unpleasant, but I was appalled by the neglect shown to them as adults simply because of their ethnic origin. It's a shocking story, and I'm sure the author has only skimmed the surface of some of what she could have told us.
This is very much the kind of book that should be read. It's uncomfortable. It's harrowing. But there is also a sense of hope and optimism that runs throughout the book, reminding us that these five characters are more than their school experience.
From Kenny and Lucy, whose childish infatuation is maintained into adulthood, to Howie, who is imprisoned after beating the Father who abused him and many other students, it's hard not to be affected by what we see happen to these characters. The neglect and abuse during the school years is unpleasant, but I was appalled by the neglect shown to them as adults simply because of their ethnic origin. It's a shocking story, and I'm sure the author has only skimmed the surface of some of what she could have told us.