In 'There There,' Tommy Orange weaves together the lives of twelve urban Native American characters, each grappling with their identity and heritage in modern-day Oakland. As they converge for a powwow, their stories of pain, resilience, and connection unfold, revealing the complexities of contemporary Native life. Orange's lyrical prose immerses readers in the struggles and triumphs of a community often overlooked. The novel challenges perceptions and invites reflection on the legacy of displacement. Will their shared moment at the powwow heal old wounds or ignite new ones?
By Tommy Orange
Published: 2019
"We all carry the stories of our ancestors; we carry their spirits, their pain, and their hopes. In this city of ghosts, we find our own voices and learn to reclaim what’s been lost."
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • PEN/HEMINGWAY AWARD WINNER • A wondrous and shattering novel that follows twelve characters from Native communities: all traveling to the Big Oakland Powwow, all connected to one another in ways they may not yet realize. Among them is Jacquie Red Feather, newly sober and trying to make it back to the family she left behind. Dene Oxendene, pulling his life together after his uncle’s death and working at the powwow to honor his memory. Fourteen-year-old Orvil, coming to perform traditional dance for the very first time. Together, this chorus of voices tells of the plight of the urban Native American—grappling with a complex and painful history, with an inheritance of beauty and spirituality, with communion and sacrifice and heroism. Hailed as an instant classic, There There is at once poignant and unflinching, utterly contemporary and truly unforgettable.
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“We all carry the stories of our ancestors; we carry their spirits, their pain, and their hopes. In this city of ghosts, we find our own voices and learn to reclaim what’s been lost.”
There There
By Tommy Orange
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Tommy Orange is an acclaimed Native American author known for his powerful storytelling and distinctive voice. His debut novel, 'There There,' published in 2018, received widespread critical acclaim and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. The novel intricately weaves together the lives of multiple Native characters in contemporary Oakland, California, exploring themes of dislocation, identity, and urban Native American experiences. Orange's writing style is characterized by its lyrical prose, deep emotional resonance, and rich character development, giving voice to marginalized communities and highlighting the complexities of modern Indigenous life.
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