The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Novel Ideas returns after a week off with The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. This is the first book we’ve read for the podcast written by a Native American and it definitely grants some insights into the culture and conditions on an Indian reservation. This selection also continues banned book month, though it’s hard to find real reasons to challenge this particular book. In our discussion, we talk about alcoholism, race, illustrations complementing the text, and the significance of community. We also cover whether “Junior” is a weird name, trains, bro relationships, and boners. Lots of boners.
This week’s header was taken from a larger piece of fan art by Kristina Wayte. You can check out the original here.
The music bump is “Spokane” by Ho Lan, which is not traditional Spokane Indian music, but is a newly composed piece with traditional elements in it.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian – Boner Time
Recommendations:
Read this one. The narrator has an interesting voice and there are cultural details about reservation life that you may not have been exposed to before. Warning: may not contain plot.
This entry was posted in Episodes and tagged a boner for books, alcoholism, banned books, being an Indian sucks, bro relationships, community, definition of smutty, feminism, fresh perspectives, friendship, Indian stereotypes, Indian v. Native American, is Junior a weird name?, metaphorical boners, Native Americans, origin of firewater, pictures, poverty, race, shallow characters, spoonerism, static book, teenage boys, train break, white Indian posers.
Novel Ideas 
September 26, 2013 at 11:56 am
You should read Indians the play by Arthur Kopit. I read it in college and I was so angry when I finished reading it that I had to throw it against the door of my dorm room. Similar reaction to Little Big Man