Permanent Astonishment

Permanent Astonishment recounts Tomson Highway's childhood experiences growing up in northern Manitoba during the 1950s and 60s. As the son of a caribou hunter, Highway spent his early years living a traditional Cree lifestyle before attending residential school. The memoir traces Highway's journey between two worlds - his family's nomadic life in the tundra and his years at residential school in The Pas. Through stories of music, adventure, and relationships, Highway presents both the joys and hardships that shaped his formative years. The narrative follows Highway from age 6 to 15, documenting his development as a musician and student while maintaining connections to his Indigenous heritage. His relationship with his family, particularly his father and brother, forms the backbone of these pivotal years. Highway's memoir illuminates the complexity of Indigenous identity and resilience in mid-century Canada, while celebrating the power of art and humor to transcend cultural boundaries. The work stands as both a personal testament and a broader exploration of survival through creativity.

Readers commend Highway's humor and warmth in describing his childhood at residential school, which many note differs from darker accounts of similar experiences. Multiple reviewers highlight the author's focus on joy, resilience, and his brother's influence. Readers appreciate: - Vivid descriptions of Northern Manitoba and Cree culture - Balance of difficult subjects with humor - Celebration of music, language, and family bonds Common criticisms: - Meandering timeline can be confusing - Some scenes feel repetitive - Translation from French original affects flow Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (500+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (100+ ratings) Indigo: 4.7/5 (50+ ratings) "A refreshing perspective that doesn't dwell in trauma," notes one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads reader comments: "His writing makes you feel the cold of the north and the warmth of community." Several readers mention difficulty following the non-linear structure but find the overall story worth the effort.

Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese A Ojibwe boy's journey through residential school, hockey, and healing depicts Canadian Indigenous experiences with trauma and resilience.

From the Ashes by Jesse Thistle This memoir chronicles a Métis-Cree man's path from foster care through homelessness to academia, paralleling Highway's themes of survival and transformation.

Half-Blood Blues by Esi Edugyan The story follows Indigenous musicians navigating art and identity across cultural boundaries, reflecting Highway's exploration of music as salvation.

Kiss of the Fur Queen by Tomson Highway Two Cree brothers move from their traditional community through residential school to urban life as artists, mirroring the author's own experiences.

Son of a Trickster by Eden Robinson A Indigenous teen balances family obligations, supernatural encounters, and coming of age in contemporary British Columbia, echoing Highway's blend of realism and mythology.

🌟 Tomson Highway wrote this memoir in both English and Cree, his native language, reflecting his dedication to preserving Indigenous languages 🎭 Before becoming an author, Highway was an acclaimed pianist and studied at the University of Manitoba's School of Music 📚 The book won the 2021 Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Prize for Nonfiction, one of Canada's most prestigious literary awards 🌲 The memoir takes place in Barren Lands First Nation in northern Manitoba, where winter temperatures regularly drop below -40 degrees Celsius 🎵 Highway's early life was deeply influenced by his father, who was a world-champion dog-sled racer and caribou hunter, and taught him traditional Cree songs that appear throughout the book