Wandering Stars - Tommy Orange

Wandering Stars - Tommy Orange

Pub. Date:  Feb. 27, 2024

She read

He attempted

 This multigenerational tale begins with the story of Jude Star, a survivor of the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864 who was sent to the Fort Marion Prison Castle.  Star’s son was forced to attend one of the schools organized in the US to separate Native Americans from their heritage and where they were the victims of inhumane treatment.  The narrative continues on with further relatives and acquaintances.  Those who have read Orange’s Pulitzer Prize nominated There There will already be familiar with one of the characters. 

Beautifully written and recounted through multiple POVs, there is important history here as well as the bonds of family, heritage, and identity,  the devastation of loss, the ravages of addiction.  

This book and Orange’s writing style won’t be for everyone, but it is a very worthwhile read. In these days of politicians attempting to rewrite, ignore, or ban history, works such as this that preserve the reality of the treatment of our native population and the legacy of that treatment are incredibly valuable. 

Thanks to #netgalley and #knopf for the ARC

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