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  • Indian Horse

  • A Novel
  • Written by: Richard Wagamese
  • Narrated by: Jason Ryll
  • Length: 6 hrs and 51 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (3,585 ratings)

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Indian Horse

Written by: Richard Wagamese
Narrated by: Jason Ryll
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Publisher's Summary

Saul Indian Horse is in critical condition. Sitting feeble in an alcoholism treatment facility, he is told that sharing his story will help relieve his agony. Though skeptical, he embarks on a heartbreaking journey from the present - and into the woods of Northern Ontario, where his life began in a snowy Ojibway camp. The tale that follows is one of great pain and great determination from Richard Wagamese, an author who "never seems to waste a shot" (New York Times).

After being taken forcibly from his family, Saul is placed in an abusive boarding school determined to expunge his Ojibway traditions and knowledge. But he finds salvation each morning at dawn, practicing hockey alone on the school's makeshift ice rink. Saul's gift is undeniable: He quickly rises from his school's all-Ojibway team to the white-dominated regional circuit. As his skills improve and he gains notoriety, however, each of his victories on the ice is met by racism and hate. As the years pass, Saul must reconcile his passion - the game he loves, that allowed him to escape poverty - with the harshness of a world that will never make him entirely welcome.

Unfolding against the bleak loveliness of Northern Ontario - all rock, marsh, bog, and cedar - this is a singular story of resilience from a beloved storyteller.

©2012 Richard Wagamese (P)2017 Audible, Inc.

Editorial Review

When everything around you is trying to erase every aspect of who you are, how do you stay true to yourself?

From Richard Wagamese comes this triumphant story of resilience through unbearable pain and suffering. Indian Horse takes a sharp look at the impacts and suffering inflicted on First Nation people across Canada as they were forced to enter the Indian residential school system that proceeded to strip them of every aspect of their identity. Author Richard Wagamese does not shy away from the harsh realities of Canadian history, or the sufferings of his people, highlighting not only the initial pains but the long-lasting traumas that have shaped and derailed so many Indigenous peoples.

The story centers around Saul Indian Horse, an Ojibway man at the end of his life after years of alcohol abuse and unhealthy coping mechanisms. Richard Wagamese’s novel dives into his character’s past, offering a raw and candid look at how young Indigenous children were removed from their families, forced to learn English, punished with beatings, and generally abused under the guise of ‘civilizing.’

The story highlights both young and adult Saul, providing a clear picture of the traumas and their long-lasting effects. Indian Horse’s recollections tell his story of experiencing this pain first hand, and how he sought solace and escape in the beauty of northern Ontario, and as a hockey player in Toronto, lacing his skates for a big game on the rink. But every hockey triumph reminds the past and how he - as Ojibwe - will never be entirely accepted. Eye-opening, powerful, and heart-wrenching, this story will hit hard, forcing you to confront your nation’s past and maybe your traumas or prejudices. Informative and educational, it is a moving story about the past and history so often forgotten or swept under the rug. This award-winning story also became a Canadian film starring Ajuawak Kapashesit as Saul Indian Horse. Jason Ryll narrates this beautifully told audiobook, bringing these stories to the forefront with an authentic and understanding voice.

What listeners say about Indian Horse

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Beautiful from beginning to end

To reclaim something you need to give it away, and he gave it all away. I dont think I could have managed to read this, I'm so glad I got the audio version so I could absorb and weep and cheer and feel it all.

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    5 out of 5 stars

Heart-wrenching and Raw

A story every Canadian should read. We all knew about residential schools but did we REALLY know? The pain...the agony...the cruelty. This book made me gasp with sadness for the lives of these lost children. This lost generation. I am forever changed by this beautiful book.

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amazing

Richard is an extremely gifted story teller and his stories are so touching and healing. I can't wait to read them all. I wish I had found him before my mother passed.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

As heartbreaking as Inspirational.

This novel swept me away. I read it, initially, almost begrudgingly...ashamed to say because it was "free". Turned out to be the most heartbreaking and inspirational book I have ever read. The author is a magician with words and story telling: the story of a family - and people - nearly destroyed with racism and inhumanely brutal residential schools. I had no idea. Every Canadian, at least, should read this book. I am ashamed and humbled by our "White" history.

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Exceptional Story

Vivid, beautiful, and painful. A skilled work of art with the ability to open eyes and hearts. This should be a book all Canadians read.

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Captivating

This book pulled me into the life of Saul presenting his journey as a First Nations child during the secretive and dark times of the Catholic boarding schools. Although the horrble events occurring behind the doors of the schools are known and briefly mentioned the author focuses not on these but on Saul's gift of Hockey. The support of others who enter Saul's life and the inner strength of the Human Spirit in all of us. His story is powerful, emotional and important.

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Good story

As a first hand narrative of a survivor of Canada's residential schools, it's a story worth hearing. The narrator is a problem, though, although he is Metis, it still felt like someone doing a voice, and an impersonation of a native voice too often has negative connotations and is used more for mocking than in earnest. Maybe it's a quibble, but still, it made it harder to get through the book.

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  • Kim
  • 2020-02-14

I can't put into words....

This book infuriated me, at the same time it connected me. My heart aches, in heartbreak, in longing, in love. We can't erase the past, but boy if we could...

Great narration. The story was at once sickening and hopeful, tragic yet redeeming. I'm glad I found this... I needed to listen to what it was like. Everyone needs to listen to understand.

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Could not stop Listening!

Absolutely amazing book! I’m not a huge hockey fan, but I was completely hooked by this incredible story. Definitely give this book a listen!

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Captivating!

My heart went out to all of the characters in this story. The mistreatment and outright cruelty are unforgivable. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking to be transported into a world that is really going on even today to some degree. It takes great courage to carry on living sometimes.

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