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  • From the Ashes

  • My Story of Being Métis, Homeless, and Finding My Way
  • Written by: Jesse Thistle
  • Narrated by: Jesse Thistle
  • Length: 9 hrs and 55 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (1,388 ratings)

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From the Ashes

Written by: Jesse Thistle
Narrated by: Jesse Thistle
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Publisher's Summary

  • Winner, Kobo Emerging Writer Prize Nonfiction
  • Winner, Indigenous Voices Awards
  • Winner, High Plains Book Awards
  • Finalist, CBC Canada Reads
  • A Globe and Mail Book of the Year
  • An Indigo Book of the Year
  • A CBC Best Canadian Nonfiction Book of the Year

In this extraordinary and inspiring debut memoir, Jesse Thistle, once a high-school dropout and now a rising Indigenous scholar, chronicles his life on the streets and how he overcame trauma and addiction to discover the truth about who he is.

If I can just make it to the next minute...then I might have a chance to live; I might have a chance to be something more than just a struggling crackhead.

From the Ashes is a remarkable memoir about hope and resilience and a revelatory look into the life of a Métis Cree man who refused to give up.

Abandoned by his parents as a toddler, Jesse Thistle briefly found himself in the foster-care system with his two brothers, cut off from all they had known. Eventually, the children landed in the home of their paternal grandparents, whose tough-love attitudes quickly resulted in conflicts. Throughout it all, the ghost of Jesse’s drug-addicted father haunted the halls of the house and the memories of every family member. Struggling with all that had happened, Jesse succumbed to a self-destructive cycle of drug and alcohol addiction and petty crime, spending more than a decade on and off the streets, often homeless. Finally, he realized he would die unless he turned his life around.

In this heart-warming and heart-wrenching memoir, Jesse Thistle writes honestly and fearlessly about his painful past, the abuse he endured, and how he uncovered the truth about his parents. Through sheer perseverance and education - and newfound love - he found his way back into the circle of his Indigenous culture and family.

An eloquent exploration of the impact of prejudice and racism, From the Ashes is, in the end, about how love and support can help us find happiness despite the odds.

©2019 Jesse Thistle (P)2019 Simon & Schuster Audio
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What listeners say about From the Ashes

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

life inspiring

A beautifully vulnerable story that touched my soul. Will leave me deep in thought and self reflection for a long time.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A Must-Read

This is a fantastic book, written in a raw, honest way that cuts to the quick. It is not an easy read, but it is thoroughly engrossing. Ultimately, this is a book full of hope - hope that no matter who you are, what you have done or how awful your life is, you are valuable and worthy of redemption. Extraordinary!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A Must Read

To be honest, I didn’t have huge expectations from this book but have finished it with the belief that everyone should read it.

The book will leave you with a far better understanding of addiction, homelessness, petty crime, poverty, and many other societal issues. Why they happen and how our systems fail people.

The story is easy to listen to and captures the reader, although that didn’t happen until a few chapters in.

I laughed and I cried at various points. I don’t think I have ever felt so emotionally connected to a book before.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Life changing

This book offered understanding of addiction and compassion for those caught up in it and hope for those entangled in it.
Thank you Jesse

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A Life Changing Book

This is one of the best books I have listened to. It is an incredible and inspiring story. The narration is fantastic. At times it’s tough to get through as the story is so raw but it is worth every single word. It was recommended to me by a friend and I am grateful.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

An eye opener in many aspects

Eye opener memoir in many aspects. The thoughts and emotions that are described with the actions make this book very touching.

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Incredible story

I loved this book. I'm glad that Jesse survived to be able to tell his story.

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amazing and heartbreaking

the author does a great job of reading, and the story is so heart wrenching and necessary.

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A must read

What an amazing story. Couldn't stop listening, My boldness to continue listening through all the pain and frustration was only because I knew the author survived to write the book. Enlightening look at some of our worst social conditions, a testament to hope AND education. Humble author is a human being whose life experiences are painfully remembered and finally transcended with determination and a loving heart. At first I wasn't sure about the author as performer, but now realize this authentic voice added to the experience of audio. Don't miss this book.

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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing audiobook.

This is a beautifully written raw and vulnerable memoir that provides hope in darkness.

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