The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian was my favorite book to read for this class so far. I found Junior to be both funny and admirable. I admire his drive, his patience, and his persistence. I’m little skeptical about a stuttering and lisping kid becoming popular. But perhaps the fact that he was the only Indian in Reardan made him unique enough that he could get away with more differences. Penelope seemed a little clichéd, but she’s still young, so its forgivable. Rowdy is an interesting character, both friend and rival to Junior. The troubles on the reservation are downright heartbreaking – the limited opportunities missing. I was aware that there are alcohol problems in most Native American reservations, but damn. His parents are both alcoholics – his dad’s best friend dies of an alcohol-induced accident, his grandmother is hit by a drunk driver, his sister burns to death because she’s drunk, and on and on. Junior was right to try to get out of that life. He must have done a lot of thinking on that twenty-two mile trip to his school. There were some elements that I found a little clichéd, but satisfying nonetheless – these elements are used for a reason, after all – Junior’s getting the girl by dating Penelope, and winning the game against Junior. I like the art in this book, and how there are three drawing styles: doodles, comics, and realistic drawings. My sister is an artist and she draws in different styles as well.
I really enjoyed The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, and was disappointed to reach the end. I’ll definitely be reading this again.
Learning in the Age of the Trigger Warning
11 years ago
In response, I was also pleasantly surprised by this book. I was instantly captured by the animated cartoon drawings that showed a deeper meaning than the words written by Junior. I guess I didn't try to understand why the author made Junior popular because I was glad that he was being accepted for doing something that was so hard for him to do with ridicule behind him at the reservation. I did not think twice about it because I know that high school students can hate one person one day and flock to them the next. I think making Junior popular helped this book’s message of stepping outside of the box more meaningful. Sometimes stepping out may cause you harm, and your home life may still be bad, but there is always positives. I certainly saw the positive growth in Junior in the friends he kept and why. Though it is sad for old friends to drift apart, sometimes old friends fade because they were there for a reason and when that time is up so is that bond.
ReplyDeleteI agree that this book was captivating, convincing, and appealing. I definitely will remember this book in the future.