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Monkey Beach
Monkey Beach: A Novel | Eden Robinson
A young Native American woman remembers her volatile childhood as she searches for her lost brother in the Canadian wilds in an extraordinary, critically acclaimed debut novel As she races along Canadas Douglas Channel in her speedboatheading toward the place where her younger brother Jimmy, presumed drowned, was last seentwenty-year-old Lisamarie Hill recalls her younger days. A volatile and precocious Native girl growing up in Kitamaat, the Haisla Indian reservation located five hundred miles north of Vancouver, Lisa came of age standing with her feet firmly planted in two different worlds: the spiritual realm of the Haisla and the sobering real world with its dangerous temptations of violence, drugs, and despair. From her beloved grandmother, Ma-ma-oo, she learned of tradition and magic; from her adored, Elvis-loving uncle Mick, a Native rights activist on a perilous course, she learned to see clearly, to speak her mind, and never to bow down. But the tragedies that have scarred her life and ultimately led her to these frigid waters cannot destroy her indomitable spirit, even though the ghosts that speak to her in the night warn her that the worst may be yet to come. Easily one of the most admired debut novels to appear in many a decade, Eden Robinsons Monkey Beach was immediately greeted with universal acclaimcalled gripping by the San Diego Union-Tribune, wonderful by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and glorious by the Globe and Mail, earning nominations for numerous literary awards before receiving the Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize. Evocative, moving, haunting, and devastatingly funny, it is an extraordinary read from a brilliant literary voice that must be heard.
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review
guidosophia
Monkey Beach: A Novel | Eden Robinson
Pickpick

Definitely an interesting read unlike things that I usually read. Had me confused at some points but i really enjoyed the coming of age storyline

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Esinclair
Monkey Beach: A Novel | Eden Robinson
Pickpick

This book was amazing and I couldn‘t put it down. The imagery is beautiful, and the story combines a thriller with a coming of age story. The author has an exceptional ability to intertwine humor with horror, and has beautifully described the protagonist‘s relationship with spirituality and death. I would absolutely recommend

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Lindy
Monkey Beach: A Novel | Eden Robinson
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Haisla has many sounds that don‘t exist in English, so it is not possible to spell the words using English conventions.

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Creadnorthey
Monkey Beach: A Novel | Eden Robinson
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Pickpick

Holy wow! This is a great saga. A dark coming of age story in the midst of gothic indignity, trauma and hurt. Atmospheric at the end after push pulling through earlier events- like reading a dream that flips so easily to nightmare and then back to a dream. Hard to see the healing, but then again not everything is meant to be seen.

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rabbitprincess
Monkey Beach: A Novel | Eden Robinson
Pickpick

This was such a good book! All of the characters leapt off the page for me. One that is hard to put down.

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Twocougs
Monkey Beach: A Novel | Eden Robinson
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Pickpick

Wow, this was quite an extraordinary story. Modern western Canadian mixed with native Haisla lore, redemption and loss. Loved every moment!

LeeRHarry This sounds really interesting - stacked! 😊 4y
25 likes1 stack add1 comment
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mhillis
Monkey Beach: A Novel | Eden Robinson
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#getoutthemap to find Princess Royal Island, the setting of Monkey Beach 🗺 #lilithjuly
I just finished reading this book for #booked2019 #indigenousauthor

KarenUK Love this.... did you enjoy it? 😊 5y
Cinfhen Nicely played 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🗺And thanks for #Booked2019 shoutout 🥳😉 5y
mhillis @KarenUK Yes it is well written and one of my favorites that I read in June 5y
36 likes3 comments
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mhillis
Monkey Beach: A Novel | Eden Robinson
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My wrap up post for the spring prompts #booked2019
Sweet Fruit Sour Land and Monkey Beach were my favorites! I‘ll tag the books and prompts below

mhillis Night oriented title 5y
mhillis Indigenous author 5y
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mhillis Features a musician 5y
mhillis Food or beverage on the cover 5y
alisiakae Way to go! 🙌🏽🙌🏽 5y
Cinfhen Woohoo!!! Time to think about summer 🌞☀️💛 5y
AmyG 🎉🎉🎉 5y
mhillis @Cinfhen @4thhouseontheleft @AmyG Thanks! Yes I‘m already thinking about books for the next season!! 5y
61 likes10 comments
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Babs_book_obsession
Monkey Beach: A Novel | Eden Robinson
Pickpick

I am a bit sad to be finished. Eden Robinson is one of my favourite authors right now. This is her first novel and it is a bit choppy? A lot goes on and it jumps from around. Still, I really enjoyed it. I love the myths woven into the book and the ominousness. I love her characters and how she portrays relationships between family and friends. Well worth reading.

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xicanti
Monkey Beach: A Novel | Eden Robinson
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Bailedbailed

Y'all, I should love this book. It's slice of life infused with wonder, grief, and a goodly side of the mystical. It's heavily focused on family. It plays fast and loose with timelines as the protagonist processes a current tragedy alongside some traumatic childhood experiences.

Except... well, I'm bored. I forced my way past the 100-page mark, but now it's time to bail.

(Damn; that came out harsh. Most people do like this.)

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xicanti
Monkey Beach: A Novel | Eden Robinson
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I'm in Trip Prep Mode, and of course I sorted out my reading material ahead of anything else. I'm bringing the relevant days from my short story advent calendar, two things from La TBR, and the last three unread print books I acquired this year. I've also made sure my ereader is fully charged and loaded with all my current digital library loans.

twohectobooks I always pack my books before anything else, too. Where are you travelling to? 6y
xicanti @twohectobooks Victoria, with a side trip to Uclulet! I'm gonna look in a ton of bookstores. 6y
twohectobooks Yesssss I will be returning there in May! 6y
xicanti @twohectobooks it's a fabulous city! 6y
twohectobooks My sister lives there now, so I get to visit frequently. :) 6y
37 likes5 comments
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melissajayne
Monkey Beach: A Novel | Eden Robinson
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Starting this this morning. #bookclub read

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xicanti
Monkey Beach: A Novel | Eden Robinson
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The Children's Hospital Book Market started today, so I bunked off and spent the morning there. I usually don't buy books I know I can get from the library, but I made an exception for these because:

~ I wanted to give the hospital some money
~ they were all $0.50 or $1
~ La TBR is currently VERY white, since I tend to read new acquisitions by POC & Indigenous authors more quickly

I also got a couple of journals & lots of practice being in lines

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dixi_e
Monkey Beach: A Novel | Eden Robinson
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A librarian friend asked me to read this so she could get my view on it and I‘ve been too long getting to it. Love a good rec from a great reader. #currentlyreading

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bookaholic1
Monkey Beach: A Novel | Eden Robinson
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Pickpick

Written about a beach in around Western Canada and about a Native Reserve. The characters are delightful and enjoyable. About a girl that goes through life after her favorite Uncle dies and how she can't get over the loss of her pain. I will read more from this author, glad I found her

myers85 Very nice review 7y
8 likes2 comments
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Jolynne
Monkey Beach: A Novel | Eden Robinson
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Pickpick

Beautifully descriptive, definitely thought provoking.

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Hooked_on_books
Monkey Beach: A Novel | Eden Robinson
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Here's my April wrap-up. As expected, my numbers are way down (vacation plus busy work schedule before that to pay the piper for taking vacation). I am delighted to have finished Infinite Jest, though--pretty sure I read half of it this month alone. Monkey Beach is my favorite for this month and it looks like Asking for It will be as well, but I'm only halfway through it.

Onceuponatime Infinite Jest, wow! 😳👏🏼 8y
tpixie It's a great list! 8y
Pruzy What are the headings for your checked columns? I'm having trouble reading them 8y
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Hooked_on_books @Pruzy Good point--they really didn't come through, did they? The little box (if checked) is nonfiction, the first column of checks is female authors and the second column is POC. 8y
Pruzy @Hooked_on_books 🙏 Thanks! 8y
LeahBergen Nice!! 8y
Texreader Way to go!! 8y
62 likes7 comments
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Hooked_on_books
Monkey Beach: A Novel | Eden Robinson
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Pickpick

This book is a terrific coming-of-age exploration of Lisa, a Haisla girl living in a village on an island off BC in the 1970s & 80s. It is infused with traditional First Nations beliefs and lifestyle as well as current day challenges, including racism and substance abuse. Now I want to read every word she's ever written. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Lindy I'm so glad you liked it! Hope you don't have too much trouble getting 8y
Hooked_on_books @Lindy Oh, I'll find a way! 😂 8y
63 likes4 stack adds2 comments
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Hooked_on_books
Monkey Beach: A Novel | Eden Robinson
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#Litsypartyofone continues! This book is terrific thus far. I needed some snacks to keep me going (water not pictured). How's everyone else's party coming along?

RealBooks4ever Eden Robinson! How are you liking this book? I am dying to get my hands on her new one but it's only in Canada right now. I've come close to ordering it from there but it's 💲💲💲! 8y
Hooked_on_books @RealBooks4ever I'm a good halfway through and it's terrific! I'm kind of wanting to get all of her books. I can't believe her latest is only out in Canada--seems unfair! I actually don't live terribly far from BC, so I may have to plan a trip to go get it. 😬 8y
69 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Hooked_on_books
Monkey Beach: A Novel | Eden Robinson
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I'm finally able to join in on #Litsypartyofone! First, I'll finish my Owlpost book (peeking out behind MB) and munch on this tasty double caramel ice cream bar. Then on to the brick and Monkey Beach. I heard Eden Robinson on the Can't Lit podcast (which I saw recommended by @shawnmooney ) and she is irresistible. She has the greatest laugh. I knew I had to give her books a try, plus I love that she's a First Nations Canadian woman.

Lindy Monkey Beach is excellent. I've heard Robinson give talks and I agree; she's great! Just finished her newest novel 8y
Hooked_on_books @Lindy I've been loving your posts on that one. I thought I would read MB first to see if I like it before getting Trickster, but I'm pretty sure you've convinced me not to wait! 8y
Lindy @Hooked_on_books I've refrained from sharing any passages that rage with profanities. It's good to be prepared for them. They fit realistically with the characters, but some readers will be put off. 8y
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slategreyskies I just subscribed to that podcast. Thanks for letting us know about it. I'd never heard of it before! ❤️ 8y
Karkar Magnums are the best ice cream bars. Yummo 8y
Hooked_on_books @slategreyskies You're welcome! I've really enjoyed the episodes I've listened to. 8y
58 likes1 stack add6 comments
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shawnmooney
Monkey Beach: A Novel | Eden Robinson
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Bailedbailed


I was surprised and disappointed to find the prose and the sitcom-esque happy-family-with-too-cute-kids tone of this off-putting from the get-go. Abandoned at the 12% mark. I am pretty sure I tried this novel a decade or so ago with the same result, so I guess I shouldn't have been all that surprised.

Cinfhen Well you made it to April 3 before bailing ~ that's pretty good for you 😜 8y
reneelyons Interesting! I've been thinking of trying Son of Trickster. 8y
shawnmooney @Cinfhen And then he turned around and bailed on two in one day! LOL @reneelyons I'm curious about that one too – I'd like to hear what you think of it if you do try it… 8y
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Lindy Monkey Beach is one of my all-time favourite books. Love the genre mashup of gothic, ghost, mythology, mystery, nature writing and family relationships. 8y
Lindy @reneelyons I'm starting Son of a Trickster today. 😀 8y
shawnmooney @Lindy Yes, I saw on Goodreads that you loved it – that's great! It didn't work at all for me. :-) 8y
38 likes6 comments
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shawnmooney
Monkey Beach: A Novel | Eden Robinson
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How did I not know there was a podcast about Canadian literature⁉️⁉️⁉️

Bibliogeekery Wow! I'm going to check this out! Thanks! 8y
shawnmooney @Bibliogeekery I'm listening to the latest episode which features Eden Robinson. The podcast seems great, but, as lovely as Robinson sounds, in the first 15 minutes of this episode she has spoken for maybe 2 minutes and laughed uproariously, for 30, 45, 60 seconds at a time, for a full 10 minutes. No exaggeration. I can't listen to any more of that laugh. I still want to read Robinson, though (of course!), and listen to more episodes. (edited) 8y
LeahBergen I didn't know about this either! 8y
drokka Hunh... I'll have to check this out. Thanks for the info! 8y
36 likes4 comments
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missevievelyn
Monkey Beach: A Novel | Eden Robinson
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Pickpick

What a stunning novel! The prose is beautiful. I love the way nature kind of pervades the entire book. It's so atmospheric, and the setting really comes alive. The characters were all so well-developed, too! Even the side characters felt real and full. It's a pretty slow novel--there's no real overarching plot. But that's just the kind of novel it is; the fragmented, semi-directionlessness is part of the point, I think.

70 likes4 stack adds
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missevievelyn
Monkey Beach: A Novel | Eden Robinson
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omg school is destroying me right now haha 😣but making a little time at the end of each day to read helps me de-stress and stay calm (or at least calm-ish, lol).

TheCanuckReader It's my daily therapy :) 8y
kspenmoll How I end each day even if its just a few minutes before sleep. 📚😴 8y
77 likes2 comments
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missevievelyn
Monkey Beach: A Novel | Eden Robinson
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My February #tbr! 😊

B.Reader I just started Sorcerer of the Wildeeps. I am not sure about it so far. Maybe we can be book buddies! 🤓 8y
ErikasMindfulShelf Homegoing is sooo good 💕💕💕💕💕 8y
bookwrm526 @B.Reader I got Sorceror of the Wildeeps as part of a Tor audiobook bundle. I enjoyed it enough that I am interested to read more by the author, but it wasn't a favorite 8y
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missevievelyn @bookwrm526 his novella A Taste of Honey was one of my very favourite things I read last year! So I'm pretty excited for this one, although I do see that it has mixed reviews. 8y
missevievelyn @irre I'm really looking forward to it!! 8y
missevievelyn @B.Reader yeah, being book buddies sounds awesome!! Although I probably won't get to that one until the end of the month haha. But I looved A Taste Of Honey by the same author last year so I have high hopes for Sorcerer despite its mixed reviews! 8y
bookwrm526 @missevievelyn ah, excellent, thanks for the rec! 8y
87 likes7 comments
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shelbyy
Monkey Beach: A Novel | Eden Robinson
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Pickpick

This book was pretty incredible. It was filled with horrifyingly real and personal events. It consisted of disturbingly descriptive scenes of death, rape, bullying and family conflict. The only thing I didn't like was the ending. I was left confused and unsatisfied with how it was finished. However, the book was so intriguing and beautifully written that the unsatisfying ending can be overlooked.

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missevievelyn
Monkey Beach: A Novel | Eden Robinson
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My collective #bookhaul from the last two weeks! I might've done some stress shopping ahaha 😆

LeahBergen I've had Monkey Beach for years ... just sitting on my shelf. 😬 8y
94 likes1 comment
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shelbyy
Monkey Beach: A Novel | Eden Robinson
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Yawn! ?

Reading makes Amoré sleepy ?
#catsoflitsy

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shelbyy
Monkey Beach: A Novel | Eden Robinson
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Snuggled up with a book and my cat, Amoré ❤️

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whatthelog
Monkey Beach: A Novel | Eden Robinson
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reading this for uni, and for the indigenous MC square in #diversitydecbingo! it is tricky and brilliant and hugely moving.

#womenwriters #weneeddiversebooks #DiverseBookBloggers

16 likes1 stack add
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RealLifeReading
Monkey Beach: A Novel | Eden Robinson
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#septphotochallenge - POC authors. I believe as a reader it is important to read diversely. To read books by authors who aren't your typical authors who get published (i.e. white men). To read indigenous writers. To read international writers. To read books in translation. And I think this pile of books reflects a little bit of each #somethingforsept #pocauthors

BethFishReads Towering stack ! 8y
Liberty ❤️❤️❤️ 8y
Anneblythe I agree! I used to be overly conscious of the genres that I read. But this year I have managed to read books from authors I haven't tried. Most of the time, I'm happy I did and found new favorites. 8y
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BooksForEmpathy Great stack - and thank you for this specific photo challenge! Love it! 8y
erzascarletbookgasm Nice stack. How can I forget Toto-Chan and Kira-Kira? Love them! 8y
Biljana Couldn't agree more ❤️ 8y
KarenUK Totally agree.... Great stack... 😊 8y
Zelma @erzascarletbookgasm @RealLifeReading omg, I ❤️ Totto-Chan! And the only other person I know who's read it was the person who recommended it to me. Yay Littens! 8y
kammartinez Akata Witch is AMAZING. It's what got me into Okorafor XD. 8y
RealLifeReading @kammartinez I just started reading it last week. Love Okorafor's work! 8y
RealLifeReading @Zelma @erzascarletbookgasm more people need to read Totto-Chan!! Such a wonderful book! 8y
RealLifeReading @anneblythe great to hear that!! 8y
RealLifeReading @Booksforempathy you're welcome! 😄 8y
133 likes1 stack add15 comments
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AnnieMay
Monkey Beach: A Novel | Eden Robinson
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Pickpick

Monkey Beach is one of my favourite ever books & probably the book I recommended to people most frequently; all of which to say that out of all the amazing Canadian writers out there Eden Robinson is probably my favourite. (This has been a Fun Friday photo post for @Liberty 🇨🇦)