by L Meniado

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie contains pages that will give you metaphorical boners and emotional erections. As Gordy, one of the characters in the book, funnily explained:

“Well, I don’t mean boner in a sexual sense. When I say boner, I really mean joy. Boner is funnier. And more joyful.”

Gordy was right—the book is worthy of all the comparative forms of (positive) adjectives, if not superlative.

THE STORY

Bestselling author Sherman Alexie tells the story of Junior, a budding cartoonist growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Determined to take his future into his own hands, Junior leaves his troubled school on the rez to attend an all-white farm town high school where the only other Indian is the school mascot.

Heartbreaking, funny, and beautifully written, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, which is based on the author’s own experiences, coupled with poignant drawings by Ellen Forney that reflect the character’s art, chronicles the contemporary adolescence of one Native American boy as he attempts to break away from the life he was destined to live.

With a forward by Markus Zusak, interviews with Sherman Alexie and Ellen Forney, and four-color interior art throughout, this edition is perfect for fans and collectors alike. / Read reviews: Goodreads

WHAT I LIKED

The wit and humor of Junior, coupled with his drawings, accurately defines the word awesome. If asked why I love this book, I may end up quoting everything to make sure I capture every bit of awesomeness of the story.

In fact, I made notes:

Aside from reading, the book teaches you how to fight. See, this book can turn you into a bookworm and a fighter at the same time. Pretty awesome!

tl;dr

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie is a great book. You have to personally go through it to get what I mean. Spare me the burden of having to explain why I love it because if this is love, then it is beyond rational reasons. All I know is that it gave me a metaphorical boner. ☁