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Medicine Walk
Medicine Walk | Richard Wagamese
39 posts | 25 read | 52 to read
A novel about the role of stories in our lives, those we tell ourselves about ourselves and those we agree to live by. Globe and Mail When Franklin Starlight is called to visit his father, he has mixed emotions. Raised by the old man he was entrusted to soon after his birth, Frank is haunted by the brief and troubling moments he has shared with his father, Eldon. When he finally travels by horseback to town, he finds Eldon on the edge of death, decimated from years of drinking. The two undertake difficult journey into the mountainous backcountry, in search of a place for Eldon to die and be buried in the warrior way. As they travel, Eldon tells his son the story of his own lifefrom an impoverished childhood to combat in the Korean War and his shell-shocked return. Through the fog of pain, Eldon relates to his son these desolate moments, as well as his lifes fleeting but nonetheless crucial moments of happiness and hope, the sacrifices made in the name of love. And in telling his story, Eldon offers his son a world the boy has never seen, a history he has never known.
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review
CuriousG
Medicine Walk | Richard Wagamese
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Pickpick

What an amazing novel. Meaningful, but I didn't feel it was too heavy handed, which sometimes happens with serious subject matter. Definitely one I recommend.

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CuriousG
Medicine Walk | Richard Wagamese
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"He walked the old mare out of the pen and led her to the gate that opened out into the field."

#firstlinefridays
@ShyBookOwl

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CuriousG
Medicine Walk | Richard Wagamese
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On to my second book of my camping trip. Not a 'beach read' in the sense that most people use the phrase, but I find reading books that involve a lot of time outdoors is a perfect complement to camping or beach days, even if the subject matter is heavy.

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janeycanuck
Medicine Walk | Richard Wagamese
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Pickpick

This is not my style of book at all but I‘m really enjoying the Storykeepers podcast and I think it‘s important to read the classic works of Indigenous literature as I continue to learn and grow in my understanding of Indigenous culture.

I think this would be great for anyone who likes a Western.

rabbitprincess I‘m not great at listening to podcasts, but I will check this one out for book recs! Loved Medicine Walk. 3y
janeycanuck @rabbitprincess They only do one episode a month, focused on one specific book so it‘s been really nice to read the book and then listen to the episode. So far The Strangers by Katherena Vermette and Return of the Trickster by Eden Robinson have been my favourites but I‘m still a few books behind. 3y
32 likes2 comments
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Hooked_on_books
Medicine Walk | Richard Wagamese
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Pickpick

A man is dying and asks his son to help him reach a place where he can be buried in the warrior way, though they barely know one another. Through the course of their journey, we get to know their stories, mainly that of the father. This is the June book being discussed on the Storykeepers podcast and I‘m so glad—it is absolutely fantastic and I don‘t know if I would have read it otherwise. #indigenous

Lizpixie #stacked I‘ve been intrigued by indigenous culture in the americas after getting addicted to native TikTok, there‘s some really amazing Native Americans & Inuits on there who try to educate people about their culture. 4y
Hooked_on_books @Lizpixie I think it‘s great that these platforms exist for people to educate from. The podcast I reference here is run by native Canadians, talking about one book each month written by an indigenous Canadian author. They talk about the book itself and how it has impacted them. It‘s really good and I love the window it gives me as a white person into how the book impacts people of another culture compared to how it impacted me. 4y
39 likes5 stack adds2 comments
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Tianarose
Medicine Walk | Richard Wagamese
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I‘m down about 3 lbs a book, audio walking over the pst month and a half! Lost a total of 15lbs. !! 🥳🥳

Chrissyreadit Congrats! 4y
Nute That is awesome! 4y
TheSpineView Way to go! 4y
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emz711 That's so cool! I wish my walking did as much. How long do you walk? 4y
Tianarose @emz711 I try for an hour a day but sometimes just 15 minutes. 4y
MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm Congratulations! ❤️🙌❤️ 4y
42 likes7 comments
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cleoh
Medicine Walk | Richard Wagamese
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• Medicine Walk
• I got my March OwlCrate book (which if you know what it is, I‘m very excited about!)
• I‘m hoping to finish this read and run some necessary errands so I have all the things I need to have later this week

#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain

rachelsbrittain I did Owlcrate for a while and loved it! 5y
cleoh @rachelsbrittain I really like it! I started getting it regularly last year and I‘m definitely going to continue for the foreseeable future! 5y
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rabbitprincess
Medicine Walk | Richard Wagamese
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September 2019: 15 books read.
Fave book: Medicine Walk, by Richard Wagamese
Least fave book: Death on the Aisle, by Frances and Richard Lockridge
Two audios in one month, too: Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth and The Diary of River Song Series 3

review
rabbitprincess
Medicine Walk | Richard Wagamese
Pickpick

Deeply moving and beautifully written. Having read a couple of books recently about death and dying, I found myself especially appreciating that this was a good death for Eldon. (This isn't a spoiler; we find out very quickly that he's dying.) He chose where to die and Franklin was able to help him through it. And Franklin is probably one of the most resilient characters I've ever encountered.

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Tamra
Medicine Walk | Richard Wagamese
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Pickpick

Lovely mountain west writing, set in Canada. It‘s a story about complicated relationships that sometimes are unrealistic and overwrought, but nonetheless I‘m still in love with the nature writing & character development. I am going to make a concerted effort to read more of Wagamese.

76 likes1 stack add
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Tamra
Medicine Walk | Richard Wagamese
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Wonderful start to this novel!

Melissa_J I have that one on my TBR. Hope you enjoy it. 6y
78 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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melissajayne
Medicine Walk | Richard Wagamese
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#bookmail looking forward to reading these.

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Ehbooklover
Medicine Walk | Richard Wagamese
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Pickpick

A wonderfully written and moving book about redemption and the search for one's personal identity. A beautifully described setting and well-developed characters who I grew to care for immensely made for a great read. NOTE: This was a reread for my book club meeting and I think I liked it even more the second time!

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Becker
Medicine Walk | Richard Wagamese
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A beautiful story that takes place in one of the most beautiful places on earth - the B.C. interior. Completely heart-felt💚

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Julsmarshall
Medicine Walk | Richard Wagamese
Pickpick

Fantastic! Quiet, introspective, powerful. Read this for my @bookriot #readharderchallenge #19 POC of a spiritual journey. Highly recommend! Getting close to finishing the challenge!

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Julsmarshall
Medicine Walk | Richard Wagamese
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Starting tonight! This one is for the @bookriot #readharder challenge. #bookanddinner

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shawnmooney
Medicine Walk | Richard Wagamese
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Bailedbailed

I loved Wagamese's memoir One Native Life with all my heart, and so I feel a peculiarly sad disappointment at not loving this one. I bailed at the 57% mark. I loved the nature writing here but the emotional palette of the story was just way way way too sentimental for my tastes, the 'wisdom' enunciated by the characters the stuff of recovery-speak cliché. It just didn't work for me at all.

saresmoore Oh, bummer. That is disappointing. 8y
CouronneDhiver Oh no... too bad you didn't like it... this was a 5-star for me. Funny how we all experience books so differently 8y
LeahBergen Aww, too bad. 8y
36 likes1 stack add3 comments
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shawnmooney
Medicine Walk | Richard Wagamese
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I won't say any more than that now. I am hoping it gets better or I snap out of it! 🤞🤞🤞

suvata Been there. It's not fun. 8y
Megabooks Sorry ☹️☹️ 8y
merelybookish Maybe later you can enjoy being the voice of dissent? 8y
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Suet624 I find it disorienting. 8y
Lindy Add the book club experience, where you've known the people for years and expect they will be equally as dismissive of the book you've bailed on, but they all loved it: 8y
AThousandLives87 There should be some word for this. Maybe it's in Japanese or German or something? 8y
54 likes6 comments
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shawnmooney
Medicine Walk | Richard Wagamese
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Tanzy13 🔥 8y
batsy Interesting quotes about holes and life from you and @saresmoore today 💚 8y
saresmoore @batsy , that's true! I thought this quote was particularly profound. It must have wormed its way into my psyche. 8y
31 likes1 stack add3 comments
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shawnmooney
Medicine Walk | Richard Wagamese
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shawnmooney
Medicine Walk | Richard Wagamese
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DivineDiana Your picture selection matches perfectly with this passage! 8y
27 likes1 comment
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Jolynne
Medicine Walk | Richard Wagamese
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Pickpick

I don't think I'll be able to read another book again. Such beautiful writing and such a beautiful heartfelt story. I'm so sad I discovered this author after his death. I will go back and read everything he has ever written. If you are looking to read an Indigenous author, read this! A favorite of favorites for sure. #alltimefave

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shawnmooney
Medicine Walk | Richard Wagamese
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TobeyTheScavengerMonk Oh, I do like this one. 8y
32 likes1 comment
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shawnmooney
Medicine Walk | Richard Wagamese
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Angelala007 A beautiful book ❤️ 8y
CouronneDhiver I loved this one SO MUCH! 8y
shawnmooney @Angelala007 @CouronneDhiver I know, hey? I am only a few pages in, and have already teared up more than once! ❤️❤️ 8y
Angelala007 Keep the tissues handy ❤️ 8y
30 likes1 stack add4 comments
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shawnmooney
Medicine Walk | Richard Wagamese
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Solely on the basis of his memoir One Native Life, I fell in love with Richard Wagamese. And then he up and died a few months ago, too young. 😥😥 Here I go, reading my first of his novels. ❤️❤️

Spiderfelt I'm starting Medicine Walk next and then 8y
CouronneDhiver I hope you love it... he's brilliant! 8y
33 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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Spiderfelt
Medicine Walk | Richard Wagamese
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Two surprises arrived in the 📪: a pair of Richard Wagamese books from my dad, and a ticket for turning ➡️ on a red arrow, as I rushed my son to Urgent Care (minutes bf closing) for a broken arm. Despite having Wagamese on my TBR for years, these are the first copies I've owned, also, the first surprise gift *ever* from my dad. I'm overwhelmed by his gesture, and trying to focus on the positive as I write my check to the City of Federal Way.

Suet624 May this develop into a trend for your dad. 8y
saresmoore Ugh, what a frustrating ticket! But the gift from your dad is very sweet. I second what @Suet624 said. 8y
Cinfhen So sweet of your dad! Sorry about the ticket...at least your son is ok! 8y
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Spiderfelt What a nice thought @Suet624 @saresmoore. Thank you @Cinfhen. 8y
CherylDeFranceschi Lovely gift! You should absolutely contest that ticket, though. They will probably waive the fee. 8y
Spiderfelt That's what my husband said @CherylDeFranceschi. I'm considering it. Not sure how to position my appeal since I am guilty of the infraction and my only claim is that I was inattentive because of concern over my son. 8y
CherylDeFranceschi If you go to traffic court, with your hospital paperwork, they will probably waive it. I'm not sure if you hats worth your time- only you know that! 🤔But also, they may erase it from your record, which is a good thing. 8y
19 likes7 comments
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shawnmooney
Medicine Walk | Richard Wagamese
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💖💖💖

saresmoore Yay! 8y
36 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Angelala007
Medicine Walk | Richard Wagamese
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We lost Richard Wagamese recently. I'm reading this in his honour ❤️

shawnmooney ❤❤❤ I am planning to do this one on audio, and soon! As you probably saw, I loved his memoir 8y
Sace I love your fingernail polish! 8y
Angelala007 @Sace It's OPI Is That A Spear In Your Pocket 😉It's a great blue! 💅🏻 8y
Angelala007 @shawnmooney The audio would be gorgeous! I will read the memoir ❤️ 8y
CouronneDhiver I'm reading this one too... enjoying it so far! 8y
32 likes5 comments
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ReadingEnvy
Medicine Walk | Richard Wagamese
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I have authors on my list to try and Richard Wagamese is one. Look at all the books available in #hoopla... which would you recommend? (I am turning #recommendsday on its head and asking for one!)

saresmoore This is awesome! I often forget to check Hoopla. 8y
My_novel_obsession I recommend One Native Life - only because I haven't read it but hear it's wonderful - so I am selfishly wanting you to read and give your opinion 😏 8y
Lindy My two favourites of his aren't among your selection. I like his debut, Keeper 'n Me, and also Dream Wheels. I will be reading another of his as a book club pick before May 3: 8y
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CouronneDhiver He was an outstanding soul! I just finished 'Ragged Company' (amazing) and I'm just getting started on 'Medicine Walk'... 8y
shawnmooney One Native Life is amazing – I'll be reading Medicine Walk soon! 8y
48 likes7 comments
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laurenm
Medicine Walk | Richard Wagamese
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Just downloaded...The reader reviews that convinced me: "I recommend this book to those of us who enjoy Native American stories and realistic fiction." And "Characters you can really care about." ?

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Shay
Medicine Walk | Richard Wagamese
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Pickpick

Had a great discussion of this one with my book club today, rhapsodizing about the perfect orality of the dialogue in contrast with the beautiful narrative prose. Full review: http://goo.gl/s79iFB

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Shay
Medicine Walk | Richard Wagamese
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Rereading for book club this week. Still excellent.

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