Son of a Trickster

Son of a Trickster follows sixteen-year-old Jared, an Indigenous teenager in Kitimat, British Columbia, who struggles to keep his fractured family together while dealing with poverty and substance abuse. The story marks the first installment of Eden Robinson's Trickster trilogy, blending contemporary life with elements of Haisla and Heiltsuk mythology. Jared maintains a precarious balance between caring for his mother, making rent money by selling drugs, and navigating high school social dynamics. His everyday challenges begin to intersect with supernatural occurrences and strange visions that hint at his connection to Wee'git, the Haisla trickster figure. The narrative moves between harsh realities and moments of magic, introducing Indigenous storytelling traditions into a contemporary coming-of-age framework. Through Jared's experiences, the novel explores themes of identity, family bonds, and the intersection of ancestral heritage with modern Indigenous life.

Readers highlight Robinson's blend of Indigenous mythology with contemporary teen life in a small BC town. The dark humor and supernatural elements receive frequent mentions in reviews. Readers appreciate: - Raw, authentic portrayal of addiction and poverty - Complex family dynamics - Integration of Haisla/Heiltsuk culture - Strong narrative voice - Realistic teenage dialogue Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in first half - Confusing supernatural elements - Some find the content too dark or disturbing - Abrupt ending leaves questions unanswered Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (6,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (280+ ratings) Indigo: 4.3/5 (90+ ratings) Sample reader comments: "Brutal but beautiful" - Goodreads reviewer "The magic feels natural, not forced" - Amazon reviewer "Takes time to get going but worth the patience" - Indigo reviewer "Too much teen drinking/drugs for my taste" - Goodreads reviewer

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🌟 The novel is part one of the "Trickster Trilogy" - each book delves deeper into Jared's connection with his supernatural heritage and Wee'git, the trickster spirit. 🌿 Eden Robinson drew from her own Haisla and Heiltsuk heritage to create the supernatural elements, incorporating stories she learned from her father and community elders. 📺 The book was adapted into a CBC television series called "Trickster" in 2020, marking one of the first times a bestselling Indigenous Canadian novel was brought to mainstream television. 🏆 "Son of a Trickster" was shortlisted for the 2017 Scotiabank Giller Prize, one of Canada's most prestigious literary awards. 🎓 The author, Eden Robinson, made history as the first female Indigenous student to graduate from the University of British Columbia's Creative Writing Program.