Away

Away follows the experiences of Lionel Red Dog, a middle-aged First Nations man living in Blossom, Alberta. His life intersects with a TV crew filming a Western movie in his small town. The story alternates between Lionel's present-day interactions and tales from Native mythology told by four Indigenous elders. These narratives connect through recurring motifs and characters who move between past and present. The plot centers on questions of identity and belonging as Lionel navigates relationships with both his Indigenous community and the film production world. His choices lead him through a series of events that test his understanding of truth, authenticity, and performance. The novel explores the tensions between Indigenous and settler perspectives while examining how stories shape reality. Through its structure and themes, Away presents an understanding of time and truth that challenges Western literary conventions.

Readers appreciate King's use of humor and satire to explore serious Indigenous issues. Many note the book addresses colonialism and cultural identity through a lighthearted lens rather than heavy-handed messaging. Positive reviews highlight: - Memorable characters, especially protagonist Dog - Balance of comedy with meaningful social commentary - Fresh take on familiar Indigenous themes - Accessible writing style Common criticisms: - Plot meanders and loses focus in middle sections - Some find the ending unsatisfying - Secondary characters feel underdeveloped - Humor occasionally undermines serious moments Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (500+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (100+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.7/5 (50+ ratings) As one Goodreads reviewer notes: "King manages to make you laugh while also making you think deeply about Indigenous experiences." Another writes: "The narrative wandered too much for my taste, though the core story had potential."

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🌟 Author Thomas King drew from his Cherokee and Greek heritage to enrich the novel's exploration of Indigenous storytelling traditions 🎭 The protagonist, Lionel Red Dog, shares his name with a character from King's earlier work "Medicine River," though they are different characters 📚 "Away" explores the concept of "going away" in both physical and spiritual contexts, a theme deeply rooted in many Indigenous cultures' understanding of mental illness and spiritual displacement 🏆 Thomas King was the first Indigenous person to deliver the prestigious Massey Lectures in 2003, though for a different work ("The Truth About Stories") 🎨 The novel weaves together multiple narrative threads including contemporary life, traditional stories, and TV western plots - a signature style King developed through his work in both academia and creative writing