Through Black Spruce [Diana's review]

Through Black Spruce has found another dedicated supporter in Diana:

I loved reading this book. Joseph writes an aboriginal/murder story describing in detail the way of aboriginal life, the clash between the old vs the new way of life, from people getting around on snowmobiles, problems of addiction, hunting and trapping and living off the land. There are two points of view - Will is the senior aboriginal who lives in the old way. Annie is the new aboriginal who travels to New York and Toronto to find her sister. It tells of Annie going to large A list parties and the people she meets who are not always good. Will has his own problems on the reserve including Marius, who has been bringing drugs onto the reserve for years. Marius thinks Will is snitching and has him beaten up from time to time. There is a twist in the story, you'll have to read it to find out. Boyden uses symbolism throughout the story, the bear, the osprey (strong, free), and the black spruce (protecting, unable to see the future clearly , welcome sign of home). Annie returns home without her sister.
* 4 stars *

---

More information 

• Author Site: Joseph Boyden 
• Penguin Group (Canada) | Chapters.ca  | Amazon.com 
• Publisher: Viking Adult (March 19, 2009) 
• ISBN-10: 0670020575
• ISBN-13: 978-0670020577