Night of the Living Rez

By: Morgan Talty

Narrated by: Darrell Dennis

A Most Anticipated Book of the Year at LitHub

“I am not predicting literary success for Morgan Talty, I am guaranteeing it. He is a fascinating and powerful and singular writer.” —Rick Bass, author of For a Little While

How do the living come back to life?

Set in a Native community in Maine, Night of the Living Rez is a riveting debut collection about what it means to be Penobscot in the twenty-first century and what it means to live, to survive, and to persevere after tragedy.

In twelve striking, luminescent stories, author Morgan Talty—with searing humor, abiding compassion, and deep insight—breathes life into tales of family and community bonds as they struggle with a painful past and an uncertain future. A boy unearths a jar that holds an old curse, which sets into motion his family’s unraveling; a man, while trying to swindle some pot from a dealer, discovers a friend passed out in the woods, his hair frozen into the snow; a grandmother suffering from Alzheimer’s projects the past onto her grandson, and thinks he is her dead brother come back to life; and two friends, inspired by Antiques Roadshow, attempt to rob the tribal museum for valuable root clubs.

In a collection that examines the consequences and merits of inheritance, Night of the Living Rez is an unforgettable portrayal of a Native community and marks the arrival of a standout talent in contemporary fiction.

©2022 Morgan Talty (P)2022 Recorded Books

Impressive writing and poignant story

This is an interesting non-linear approach to character development as the stories converge over the course of the book. I have recently read several non-fiction books about Native Americans and found many of the themes captured sympathetically in this set of stories.

Glad I Came Across This Book

Great book, even though it was sad and an all too real glimpse of rez life. I always like to hear the language and stories of other tribes. The narrator did a great job. I don’t think the pronunciation of the words would have came across as well if I read them myself. I would recommend this book to others.

Interesting story and great narration

I heard about this book on Maine PublicRadio and was happy to find it on Audible. I think having it narrated by a Native American made it even more interesting. Both writer and narrator did an excellent job.

History of reservation life

I thought it didn't flow well. Started during adult life, then child life, adult, then teenager adult and then child

Characters a train wreck that can’t be unheard

The book is a first person storytelling of growing up in a circle of family and friends where each has a perpetuating trauma. Short stories are told in a slow, even storytelling narrative where the punchline is gradually approached. Enjoyed the reading performance as the voice chosen has the exacting accent of the region for which the story is written.

Another talented addition to Native American literature

We’ll- written and narrated nicely, these stories are interconnected and easy to place together. I would have liked the mother and sister of the main character, David, to have been more fleshed out. Hopefully in the next book.

Terribly good

This book, like most stories and experiences that come from a rez, is the epitome of an oxymoron. Awful and good. If you’ve ever lived on a reservation relating won’t be a challenge at all and you’ll laugh because you’ll know what these moments really feel like. You’ll feel quiet because you know what these moments really feel like. This book captured these experiences well. It’s hard, heartbreaking, funny, and relatable.

Engaging

It was an engaging book and I hope there’s more to come from this outstanding author.

Superb!!

Masterfully written. The characters are rich, the scenes vivid, the action both funny and tragic. Narration is superb. One of those rare books that I couldn’t wait to finish but never wanted to end.

Powerful story

Did not see the ending coming the way it did. It was a good story.