Reviewed by Asmir
Saul Indian Horse was just 8 when he was stripped of his family and sent to a Catholic residential school. As a boy born into an Ojibway family, he continually faced physical and mental abuse and trauma at the school. Amid all the hardships and difficulties he encountered, he developed a passion for hockey. He played for the school's team and found great success, eventually becoming a professional in his early adult years. Despite his skill and talent, he struggles coping with the traumatic memories of his past and faces unbearable systemic racism.
It's a compelling story with events that are based on real-world history and the unjust treatment of Indigenous people in Canada. Wagamese employs powerful imagery and detailed descriptions to bring his novel to life. Saul Indian Horse was well developed, and the reader gets a deep understanding of his eventful life that was fraught with struggles and challenges. Overall, it's a deep, immersive, story that will interest all kinds of readers.
