There There

There There follows twelve interconnected characters from Native American communities in Oakland, California as they prepare for and converge at a major powwow. The characters range from teens to elders, each bringing their own history, struggles, and reasons for attending the gathering. The narrative moves between different time periods and perspectives, building connections between the characters while revealing their individual stories. Their paths intersect through family ties, chance encounters, and shared experiences within Oakland's Native community. The plot centers on personal quests for belonging, healing, and understanding of identity, set against preparations for the upcoming powwow. The structure builds toward this central event while exploring each character's relationship to their heritage and urban environment. This debut novel examines the complexities of Native American identity in contemporary urban settings, challenging stereotypes and exploring what it means to be Indigenous in modern America. Through its multiple viewpoints, the book presents a portrait of survival, connection, and the ongoing impact of historical trauma.

Readers emphasize the novel's portrayal of modern Native American life in Oakland and its unique structure weaving multiple character perspectives. Many note the book helped them understand urban Indigenous experiences they hadn't seen represented before. Readers appreciated: - Raw, unflinching examination of identity and belonging - Interconnected storylines that build to the climax - Strong character development, especially Tony Loneman - The prologue's historical context Common criticisms: - Too many characters to track - Difficulty connecting with some narratives - Abrupt ending - Some found the multiple perspectives disorienting Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (246,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (9,800+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.3/5 (1,900+ ratings) Reader quote: "The characters feel real - flawed, complex people trying to navigate between tradition and modern urban life." - Goodreads reviewer Critical quote: "Characters blur together by the middle...had to keep flipping back." - Amazon reviewer

Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko Like There There, this novel weaves together multiple timelines and traditions to explore Native American identity through a veteran returning to the Laguna Pueblo reservation.

The Round House by Louise Erdrich The story follows a Native American family in North Dakota dealing with trauma and injustice within their tribal community, echoing Orange's examination of contemporary Indigenous life.

Crooked Hallelujah by Kelli Jo Ford This multigenerational story of Cherokee women in Texas and Oklahoma captures the interconnected nature of family narratives and urban Native experiences.

The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones Four Blackfeet men face consequences of their past actions in this story that, like There There, explores contemporary Native American life through multiple perspectives.

Black Apple by Joan Crate Set in a residential school in 1940s Canada, this novel connects to Orange's themes of historical trauma and its effects on Indigenous identity across generations.

🔸 The title "There There" comes from Gertrude Stein's famous quote about Oakland: "There is no there there," which Orange reframes to explore Native American displacement and identity. 🔸 Tommy Orange is an enrolled member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma, and like his characters, he grew up in Oakland, California. 🔸 The novel's prologue, "Indian Head," provides a haunting historical account of violence against Native Americans that was so powerful it was published as a standalone essay in The New Yorker. 🔸 The book's structure of twelve interconnected characters was inspired by the medicine wheel, a sacred symbol in many Native American cultures representing harmony and interconnection. 🔸 "There There" was Orange's debut novel and won multiple awards, including the PEN/Hemingway Award and the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, while also being shortlisted for the Pulitzer Prize.