Porcupines and China Dolls

By Robert Arthur Alexie and Robert Alexie

Book Overview

"A terrific book that deals with present day concerns."--Thomas King, Governor General's Award-wining author of The Back of the Turtle and The Inconvenient Indian

"To understand this story, it is important to know the People and where they came from and what they went through." So begins a haunting story that explores with frank and honest words the dark legacy of the residential school system and its impact on individuals, families and communities.

James Nathan and Jake Noland have been best friends for life. After finishing mission school they return to their Gwich'in community in the Northwest Territories. Their lives revolve around bootleggers, the bar, drug abuse and meaningless sex. James and Jake try to dull their painful memories of the school. Each hides a dark secret that fuels his nightmares. Enough alcohol silences the demons for a night; a gun and a single bullet silences demons forever. When a friend commits suicide and a former priest appears on television, the community is shattered. James and Jake confront their childhood abuse and break the silence to begin a journey of healing and rediscovery.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1894778723
• ISBN13: 9781894778725
• Release Date: June 2009
• Publisher: Theytus Books
• Length: 302 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.9" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

A touching story of facing the past and overcoming it

Minor escapes are just that, and they will never solve anything. "Porcupines and China Dolls" tells the story of James and Jake, best friends who share a common dark secret. Wasting their lives away living the iconic slacker lifestyle of sex and long nights at the bars. But when another friend puts a bullet in his brain, they are forced to face what has been troubling them for so long- abuse at the school they attended. "Porcupines and China Dolls" is a touching story of facing the past and overcoming it.