A powerful, compelling novel written in a clear, honest voice. I'm embarrassed to admit that I'd never heard of Richard Wagamese before. There is an urgency to his writing, and the clarity with which he tells a story is wonderful.

This is the first (and so far, only) book I've read that made me really understand the impact of residential schools. I'd known about them before, obviously, but sometimes it takes a gifted writer to make you really understand the blight that they are on our nations history.

There were frequent plot points that were so heartbreaking that I wasn't sure that I would be able to finish the book, but even at its darkest points, there is a warmth and empathy the author imbues into his characters that I couldn't put it down. I'd recommend this to anyone with even a passing interest in Canadian history. It also made me appreciate hockey a little bit more (a sport I find rather unengaging). So maybe it could be snuck into people's reading diets as a hockey novel but then surprise them with its depth and writing strength.