Fire Song

De: Adam Garnet Jones

Narrado por: Dillan Meighan Chiblow

How can Shane reconcile his feelings for David with his desire for a better life?

Shane is still reeling from the suicide of his kid sister, Destiny. How could he have missed the fact that she was so sad? He tries to share his grief with his girlfriend, Tara, but she's too concerned with her own needs to offer him much comfort. What he really wants is to be able to turn to the one person on the rez whom he loves - his friend, David.

Things go from bad to worse as Shane's dream of going to university is shattered and his grieving mother withdraws from the world. Worst of all, he and David have to hide their relationship from everyone. Shane feels that his only chance of a better life is moving to Toronto, but David refuses to join him. When yet another tragedy strikes, the two boys have to make difficult choices about their future together.

With deep insight into the life of Indigenous people on the reserve, this book masterfully portrays how a community looks to the past for guidance and comfort while fearing a future of poverty and shame. Shane's rocky road to finding himself takes many twists and turns, but ultimately ends with him on a path that doesn't always offer easy answers, but one that leaves the listener optimistic about his fate.

©2018 Adam Garnet Jones (P)2018 Annick Press

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Fire Song is unquestionably necessary...because of its subject matter, perspective and voice.” (The Globe and Mail)

Well crafted, thoughtful, stressful, heartbreaking and beautiful

Narration first. Initially I was concerned it might be flat, but after a few minutes, the cadence of Dillan Chiblow’s voice pulled me fully into the story.

The story? Very engaging, good structure. In some ways this is a plot we’ve read before. Someone from challenging circumstances has the chance to “get out” and make something of themselves. But there is so much more in this telling. Shane, and also David, face so many pressures from the within the reservation, as well as the pull Shane feels to explore the outside world. The author allowed these characters to be as messy on their journey as they needed to be, a gift that not all writers give.

I was a bit confused when I realized that Shane’s girlfriend, Tara was occasionally speaking in the first person through what seems to be her writings. Maybe it is clearer in the written version, but it struck me as odd that she would have that voice. I kept waiting to understand how we were party to her journals or whatnot, but I did not get that answer. I tend to listen to books a second time, maybe I will catch it later.

Be prepared that once things start to go wrong, everything that can go wrong, and more, will. I found the majority of the second half of the book anxiety inducing - you will know you’re dealing with a story about teenagers. During this rush, relationships begin to change and grow - ultimately bringing the greatest satisfaction. Highly recommend this title.