The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

by Sherman Alexie

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is a novel about Junior, a poor kid who grows up on a reservation in Washington state. Maybe because much of the book mirrors Alexie’s life, it seems like a memoir.

Alexie’s book is at turns touching, funny, and tragic. Junior, the protagonist, is not only poor and outcast by friends and family, but he is also bullied constantly. You will find yourself cheering and empathizing with the bookish underdog that is Junior; who despite his deficits and challenges, manages to live life pretty much like anyone else.

Please look for the audio version of this book since it is narrated by the author himself. Alexie’s Native-American accent makes the book that much more realistic and funny.

Characters toss insults like pussy, fag, and retard back and forth at one another. It brought me back to middle and high-school life. This book is a veritable vernacular time capsule of the mid-’90s to mid-oughts.

The Absolutely True Diary would serve as a good book club read because of how it describes the establishment of the social pecking order, alcohol/alcoholism, poverty, and reservation life. The book is also very short, so perfect for the busier book club members. While I might wish it were longer for my reading pleasure, it is already full enough.

Did you read The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian ? What did you think?