There There

9/1/2019

Tommy Orange’s “There There” is a heart-wrenching and powerful novel that explores Native American identity and experiences in contemporary America. Weaving together twelve distinct voices, all converging at the Big Oakland Powwow, each character shares their own struggles and triumphs: from Jacquie Red Feather, a recovering alcoholic trying to reconnect with her family, to Dene Oxendene, a filmmaker recording the stories of his people, to the fourteen-year-old Orvil, performing the first dance of his life. Orange delivers an emotional and thought-provoking portrayal of a marginalized community grappling with the weight of its history, forced assimilation, and the search for personal identity. At once tender and raw, "There There" is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of Native American culture and identity in modern America.

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