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Say Something Back: Time Lived Without Its Flow

Travis Foster

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Published in Say Something Back Time Lived Without Its Flow

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In his debut novel, Jonny Appleseed, Joshua Whitehead introduced readers to Jonny, a Two-Spirit Cree man struggling with addiction and the legacy of intergenerational trauma. In his follow-up novel, Say Something Back: Time Lived Without Its Flow, Whitehead continues to explore these themes, while also delving into the complexities of Two-Spirit identity, connection, and belonging.

The novel follows Jonny as he returns to his family's reservation after a long absence. He is haunted by the memories of his abusive childhood and the loss of his mother, and he struggles to find his place in a community that has always marginalized him. As he reconnects with his family and culture, Jonny begins to piece together the fragmented story of his life. He learns about the Two-Spirit traditions that his ancestors practiced, and he begins to understand the importance of connection and belonging.

Say Something Back & Time Lived, Without Its Flow

by Denise Riley

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	280 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	64 pages

Whitehead's writing is both lyrical and raw, and he does not shy away from the difficult realities of life on the reservation. He writes about addiction, violence, and poverty, but he also writes about hope, resilience, and the power of love. Say Something Back: Time Lived Without Its Flow is a powerful and moving novel that will stay with readers long after they finish reading it.

Themes

Two-Spirit identity: Jonny is a Two-Spirit Cree man, and his identity is central to the novel. He struggles to understand and accept his Two-Spirit identity, and he experiences discrimination and violence from both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
Intergenerational trauma: Jonny's family has been affected by intergenerational trauma, which has had a profound impact on his life. He struggles with addiction and mental health issues, and he is haunted by the memories of his abusive childhood.
Connection and belonging: Jonny longs for connection and belonging, but he struggles to find it. He feels isolated from his family and community, and he is often lonely and alone. However, he eventually learns the importance of connection and belonging, and he begins to build a new life for himself.

Characters

Jonny: The protagonist of the novel, Jonny is a Two-Spirit Cree man who is struggling with addiction and intergenerational trauma. He is a complex and flawed character, but he is also resilient and determined to find his place in the world.
Clara: Jonny's mother, Clara was a Two-Spirit woman who was addicted to drugs and alcohol. She was abusive towards Jonny, but she also loved him deeply. She died when Jonny was young, and her death has had a profound impact on his life.
Edwin: Jonny's father, Edwin is a Cree man who is struggling with alcoholism. He is a distant and emotionally unavailable father, but he still loves Jonny in his own way.
Wolf: Jonny's best friend, Wolf is a Two-Spirit Cree man who is struggling with addiction. He is a loyal and supportive friend, but he is also self-destructive.

Setting

Say Something Back: Time Lived Without Its Flow is set on a Cree reservation in Manitoba. The reservation is a place of poverty and violence, but it is also a place of beauty and resilience. Whitehead's descriptions of the reservation are vivid and evocative, and he captures the complex social and political dynamics of life on the reservation.

Style

Whitehead's writing style is lyrical and raw. He uses a mix of English and Cree languages, and he incorporates elements of oral storytelling into his writing. His prose is both beautiful and heartbreaking, and he does not shy away from the difficult realities of life on the reservation.

Reception

Say Something Back: Time Lived Without Its Flow has been met with critical acclaim. It has been praised for its lyrical prose, its complex characters, and its exploration of important social and political issues. The novel has won numerous awards, including the Scotiabank Giller Prize and the Governor General's Literary Award for Fiction.

Say Something Back: Time Lived Without Its Flow is a powerful and moving novel that will stay with readers long after they finish reading it. Whitehead's writing is both lyrical and raw, and he does not shy away from the difficult realities of life on the reservation. However, he also writes about hope, resilience, and the power of love. Say Something Back: Time Lived Without Its Flow is a must-read for anyone interested in contemporary Indigenous literature.

Say Something Back & Time Lived, Without Its Flow

by Denise Riley

4.5 out of 5