As a white person, I really appreciated reading a book grounded in contemporary native life. I loved the characters. I’m loved their individual struggles and their different connections to their community and to their spiritual heritage. I loved that there were frank discussions of the traumatic damage that residential schools did to the children who were forced into them. I loved that there was healing, and that the healing was different for each character. It was funny, moving, and a very compelling read. The short, declarative sentence style worked well with the way the story was told, but I can see how the author might grow and polish this as she continues in her career.

Advanced Readers Copy provided by Edelweiss. ( )

Elders, pow-wow, Indigenous-people, road-trip, Gathering-of-Nations, friendship, healing, First Nations, nurture, family, relationship-issues, relationships, cultural-heritage, cultural-exploration, supernatural, situational-humor, verbal-humor*****
Tilly is in a rut, so when the elder *Aunties* determine to go to the Gathering of Nations Pow Wow from their homes in Vancouver to New Mexico because one of them is on a timeline, she finds herself going along as driver (among other things). Sarah is the one on a cancer timeline, and the trip is viewed to be of such importance that her grands hold a garage sale with some of their favorite things to raise *pocket money* for her. She is also *Big Sister* to Annie who has a lot of past horrors in her life. Most of them have anger and horrible memories of the time when as children, they were drastically removed from all they knew, forced to remain in a foreign environment (the residential school) and not allowed to speak to or of their own people while being told they were worthless and dirty. And abused and violated by people who were supposedly without stain so add in PTSD to most of them. This trip is funny, sad, redeeming, and a healing venture for each and every one of them. They even learned to recover the memories and rituals that are so very important. Very moving.
For the most part, Michelle Thrush is an excellent narrator, but... Her interpretation of Lucy sounds too frail for only 64 and healthy (I am 10 years older).
I requested and received a free temporary e-book copy from Bespeak Audio Editions via NetGalley. Thank you! ( )

I’m certain that this book would not be for everyone, but I really enjoyed the characters. I listened to the audiobook and although the pace of the narration was a bit slow for my liking... I still enjoyed it immensely. There were many moments where I found myself identifying and connecting with what the characters were thinking and experiencing. It’s one of those books where I’m sad that it’s finished. ( )

A quick read about the learning that takes place on a road trip. There isn't much in depth development of the issues each person is dealing with, and the characters often use humor to lighten emotional tension.
I needed to review each of the characters to get straight on who matched which background & current relationship. It might have been easier if I had read the earlier Tilly book. ( )

Yes, it was kinda simple and kinda predictable but I liked it. Nice reminder that family can be all around us, not just direct blood ties. ( )