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Saturday, November 14, 2015

Tolog Review: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
by Sherman Alexie
reviewed by Kathryn Gerhardt

The book The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie is a story of strength and courage. It is heartbreaking, touching, and hilarious. The novel is written in the perspective of a teenage boy named Arnold Spirit living on an Indian reservation. Though he was born with many birth defects, and is often teased by people, he is still able to make the best of everything. Arnold comes from a family of alcoholics and no money. His family spends what little they have on booze. Often they have no food and have to go to bed hungry. 

Arnold comes to a point of realization after talking with one of his teachers. He discovers that in order to live a better life he must leave the reservation and go to a school dominated by white people. This act is seen as the upmost treachery to his tribe. He begins to get bullied a lot more. He loses his only friend and begins to doubt himself and his choices. 


Arnold struggles to find where he belongs in the world. His home is no longer a safe place for him, and he can’t fit in with the outside world either. To relieve his stress he enjoys drawing cartoon, and this story is filled with his drawings, which are very humorous. His journey is about finding where you belong and never giving up who you are no matter the conflicts. Arnold faces many difficult problems throughout his story. To find out whether he chooses his home or his future, read The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

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