Overall, what did you think of Wandering Stars? (no spoilers, please!)
I thought it was good although so painful to read.
Two thumbs up!
I was moved on so many levels. It is a work of art as much as it is a very relevant, essential cry for understanding the harm that native peoples have experienced—and what has helped them survive.
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I’ve been a big fan of Tommy Orange since reading There There. Being a California local, it also feels so familiar to see hometown landmarks portrayed in writing. I thought this was a nice follow-up to There There and liked seeing some returning characters as well.
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Tommy Orange is so very thoughtful about what it means to be indigenous in America in the 21st century. It is facile to attribute certain characteristics to an entire group of diverse people and he avoids this trap, examining the nature of being a member of an oppressed group (and sometimes several all at once) without sentimentality or generalization.
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Tommy Orange is an excellent writer. I have not read There There. He was my library’s One Book Author . We were to start reading in January 2020 and he was to be our guest speaker in May but then covid and our library shut down! I did enjoy this book so I will read There There.
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In some respects this was a difficult book to read; not only because of the generational addictions but also due to the author’s writing style. Orange is an excellent writer who often repeats a phrase sometimes for emphasis and sometimes to redirect one’s thought and comprehension. Consider the title of his previous work, There There. **
@Reid_B have you read anything by Louise Erdrich? If so, curious to hear what you think about how these two writers compare in their treatment of themes and narratives around indigenous identity in America. Or if you know of other writers whose work centers on these themes as well!
I have read quite a bit of Erdrich and admire her a lot. I think she does tend a bit toward the monolithic when speaking of how Native people think. Another example that comes to mind is Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, in which she seems to be making the case that Indigenous wisdom can save us from the depredations of climate change. While I share her respect for those who lived here before us (and acknowledge with shame our role in their genocide), I think it is simplistic and, in a way, disrespectful of that wisdom to attempt to generalize its efficacy to all things, even all things natural. That’s what I enjoy so much in this book: the wisdom is there, but it is mixed with the very real and very complex world in which we actually live.
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It was a difficult read. I attribute it to the reality of horrible treatment of the whole Indian population, the shameless behavior of the colonists and government, and the repetitive addiction issues. It was especially painful because of today’s dark, political environment, and I had a hard time picking up the book each time to continue reading because I knew how it would affect me.
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I also felt the novel was difficult on a number of levels. First, of course, there was the treatment of native populations by white folks - although absolutely none of that was a surprise.
What I found more troubling was how the children - the three boys - coped with feeling displaced/separated from their people. I can’t imagine how damaging it must be for kids to feel like they’re not a part of any culture, that they don’t belong anywhere. It was heartbreaking.
I very much wish I’d read There, There first, as I think some of the themes would have been clearer with more background.
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With its linked short story format, it followed the form of There There, building up from its strong foundation. I thought Wandering Stars was even better than its predecessor.
I also found it difficult but important to learn about and understand. Most of the book spotlighted trauma upon trauma.
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Overall, I felt that it was a compelling novel, full of relevant questions about the effects of “white” society on Native Americans. I have also read There There and felt a deep desire to read Orange’s sequel. I did prefer Orange’s first book, however, because it seemed more cohesive to me. That being said, Wandering Stars is still an important, thoughtful read.
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I read There,There when it first came out. After reading Wandering Stars, I reread There,There. Wandering Stars is both the prologue and epilogue to his first book. I loved them both and encourage you to read them in any order.
I was able to see Tommy Orange several months ago. He is thoughtful, brilliant, down to earth and has a very dry sense of humor.
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5 Stars.
Although painful to read, it makes us aware of the generational trauma inflicted on Native Americans. The urbanization of the characters in this novel shows how they strive to retain their cultural identity but their lives are shattered time over time.
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I found the book difficult to get into because of the format. Once I got into the rhythm of the story I thought the book incredibly sad. So much trauma, so much escapism into drink and drug. I couldn’t help thinking as Mr Rogers always said “where are the helpers?” The characters seemed so alone in their despair.
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I have read several books on this subject, and many of them on the theme of Indian Children and how they were treated and sent to the “schools”. It was an abhorrent way for any persons to be treated, as though they were animals. Disgusting! It makes me sad to be associated with these Americans.
This was my first Tommy Orange book, and I initially found it hard to get into… it was slow reading, at least for me, but once I got the rhythm of the author, I really enjoyed his style.
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I really wanted to like this book! Our book club read There, There when it first came out and found it so compelling with its descriptions of the many hardships of Indian life. However, this time I found it difficult to even get into the book (until about Ch. 12 when we find Vicky’s life). I didn’t know it is a sequel to There, There to start. I think Tommy Orange has amazing writing abilities and is passionate about telling his people’s story. In the beginning I found it hard to shift back and forth between first and third person, and time jumping so often that I kept losing track of the numerous characters, many of whom had long interior monologues of introspection.
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What a seizing tragic portrayal of the American Indian from their forced incarcerations in the “schools” and their constant wandering to find their lost loved ones or tribes.
I am a big fan of Tommy Orange’s writing, and this book does not disappoint. To say I “enjoyed” the book, is a bit misleading because of the heavy, intense and disturbing storylines. But I did enjoy the book - it’s incredibly well written and the characters engaging and very interesting. It is certainly another eye opener.