There There

Waning Gibbous Moon

I can't even remember the last time I sat down and read a whole book straight through in one day. That is, I mean before last Saturday. There There by Tommy Orange hooked my attention right away and wouldn't let go. I'm still thinking about this story four days later.

This is not a pretty tale. It's set in Oakland, CA and that should tell you something right away. Oakland is tough, more of a sociological experiment than a city. Anything can happen at any moment in Oakland and it frequently does. On both sides of the street. At the same time. Quantum anything just squirting into being in your face like it's normal and what are you gonna do about it, object? fix it? put it into some kind of order?

This story follows about a dozen mixed-race characters all of whom have two things in common: they all have Native blood and they're all going to a powwow at the Oakland Coliseum. They are modern urban Natives, not reservation Natives, but they face the same crippling social and economic disparities. Plus it's the 21st century on top of that and who knows where any of this is going no matter who you are. There does not seem to be any truth, any rules, any predictability. Quantum everything - bubbling, fizzing, disappearing, reappearing, ugly, beautiful, bright, then dim. 

I think you should read it. Even if it scares you. Even if it wins your heart and then blows it into little pieces.

Peace and Love As the Chickens Come Home to Roost,

Jim