It’s the end of the world, but an isolated Anishinaabe tribe doesn’t know it… yet.
I’m in kind of a dystopian mood right now, and I knew that this book was one that I had to read. It’s been on my radar since 2020, and I’ve looked lovingly at it on my goodreads to read list, but I hadn’t picked it up. Things have clearly changed. And I’m so happy they have. This book delivers in so many ways, and makes for a great reading experience.
Evan is a man of his tribe. He believes in the values of tradition while also embracing modern ways. He has a lovely wife, two great children, parents who are alive and well, really, what could go wrong? A lot, it seems. When the power is suddenly cut off, and the satellite radios aren’t working anymore, people get a little worried. But it’s fine, they’ve survived without power before, they’ve lost communication to the South before, this is just a temporary blip. It’ll be fine.
But then it’s not a blip, and the community ransacks the grocery store out of fear, and people are beginning to suspect the worse. When two boys come home from their college afraid and alone, Evan and the rest of the council, learn the true horror of what is happening: everything is gone and falling apart.
So now what? They have to keep the community safe, fed, warm, alive, but that’s a tall task when we’re heading into winter and food and heat are going to be scarce. Then to make matters worse, a hulking, white man comes to the reservation and forces his way into the community. And like with most things, you cannot trust the white man.
Slow, chilling, and mysterious, this book realistically portrays what could happen to a community like this in a time like this. And the fear and desperation people feel is all too familiar. Knowing that something happened, but not knowing what, AND knowing that you won’t get that answer? Terrifying. And that’s what is used here. The creeping sense of unease and doubt and paranoia really made for a fantastic reading experience.
Just Read It 