There There
by Tommy Orange · 2018
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 4.2/5
'There There' by Tommy Orange is a vivid, complex tapestry of Native American life converging at a pivotal moment. A must-read for those seeking a deeper understanding of identity and belonging.
There There is a symphony of voices that confronts America's ongoing struggles with identity and belonging.
Tommy Orange's debut novel, 'There There,' is a powerful tapestry woven from the stories of twelve Native American characters. It is both a celebration of contemporary indigenous life and a critique of the myths surrounding it. Orange skillfully balances the personal with the political, offering a narrative that is as urgent as it is poignant.
In 'There There,' Tommy Orange crafts a narrative that is both intimate and epic, exploring the lives of twelve Native Americans as they converge at the Big Oakland Powwow. Each character's story is a thread in a larger tapestry, depicting a community striving for identity and recognition in a world that often overlooks them. The novel's structure allows for a multiplicity of voices, offering a vibrant and complex portrayal of urban Native American life.
Orange's writing is fluid and evocative, moving seamlessly between characters and timelines. He captures the nuances of his characters' experiences, from the mundane to the profound, with a clarity that is both moving and unsettling. The interweaving of past and present in the narrative underscores the ongoing impact of historical trauma on contemporary Native communities, elevating the novel from a collection of stories to a unified, compelling narrative.
One of the novel's greatest strengths is its ability to give voice to the voiceless, placing contemporary Native American experiences front and center. Orange does not shy away from the complexities and contradictions of his characters' lives, presenting them with honesty and empathy. By doing so, he challenges readers to confront their own perceptions and biases, making 'There There' not just a story but a call to awareness and action.
However, while the novel's structure is ambitious, it sometimes sacrifices depth for breadth. With twelve characters to follow, some narratives feel underdeveloped, leaving readers craving more insight into their inner lives. This breadth occasionally dilutes the emotional impact, as the rapid shifts between characters can disrupt the narrative's emotional continuity. Nevertheless, these are minor quibbles in a work that is otherwise striking in its ambition and execution.
'There There' concludes with an explosive climax that brings the threads of its narrative together with both inevitability and surprise. The novel's ending is a testament to Orange's skill as a storyteller, leaving readers with a sense of both completion and a desire to continue the conversation it has started. In a literary landscape that often overlooks indigenous voices, 'There There' stands out as a necessary and compelling work.
Key Takeaways
- Identity and belonging
- Historical trauma
- Urban Native experience
Summary
- The novel follows twelve Native American characters heading to the Big Oakland Powwow.
- Each character's story contributes to a larger narrative about identity and belonging.
- Orange's writing is fluid, capturing the nuances of Native American life.
- The book addresses historical trauma's ongoing impact on Native communities.
- The multiplicity of voices offers a vibrant portrayal of contemporary indigenous life.
- However, the ambitious structure sometimes sacrifices depth for breadth.
- The novel is both a celebration and critique of Native American identity.
- The explosive climax ties together the narrative's threads with impact and surprise.
Chapter Guide
- Chapter 1: Prologue: The Indian Head
- The novel opens with a powerful historical overview of Native American oppression, from the arrival of colonizers to the modern day, emphasizing the enduring impact of these events on Native identity.
- Chapter 2: Tony Loneman's Perspective
- Tony Loneman, a young man with fetal alcohol syndrome, navigates life in Oakland, reflecting on his 'Drome' and planning his involvement in the upcoming powwow.
- Chapter 3: Dene Oxendene's Story
- Dene Oxendene dreams of documenting Native stories and wins a grant to capture the voices of his community for a storytelling project at the powwow.
- Chapter 4: Opal Viola Victoria Bear Shield
- Opal recounts her childhood experiences, including the time spent at Alcatraz during the Native American occupation, and her struggles raising her sister's grandchildren.
- Chapter 5: Edwin Black's Journey
- Edwin, an overweight and isolated young man, seeks to connect with his Native heritage and discovers his father's identity, which leads him to the powwow.
Read the full review at https://reviewerinsight.com/book/69e5e5c4737dcaf4a2a18152/there-there