Jesse knew he was different from other kids, but he didn’t know what being Métis meant specifically for him. He grew up living with his grandparents after his mother moved on and his father disappeared due to addiction. It’s that cycle of addiction in families, specifically Native families, that gripped Jesse so early in life.
I appreciate Jesse’s approach to sharing his life with the readers through short stories encompassing each chapter. His story is so much more than just his battle with addiction, though we see the repercussions on those around him. He is frank in his retelling, never shying away from some painful realities. It’s a must-read for everyone, nicely done.
From the Ashes is available on Amazon for $11.99.
For some reason, Amazon is saying this book isn’t eligible to be reviewed. But you can read this review on Goodreads and Bookbub.
About the Book:
Abandoned by his parents as a toddler, Jesse Thistle and his two brothers were cut off from all they knew when they were placed in the foster care system. Eventually placed with their paternal grandparents, the children often clashed with their tough-love attitude. Worse, the ghost of Jesse’s drug-addicted father seemed to haunt the memories of every member of the family.
Soon, Jesse succumbed to a self-destructive cycle of drug and alcohol addiction and petty crime, resulting in more than a decade living on and off the streets. Facing struggles many of us cannot even imagine, Jesse knew he would die unless he turned his life around. Through sheer perseverance and newfound love, he managed to find his way back into the loving embrace of his Indigenous culture and family.
Now, in this heart-wrenching and triumphant memoir, Jesse Thistle honestly and fearlessly divulges his painful past, the abuse he endured, and the tragic truth about his parents. An eloquent exploration of the dangerous impact of prejudice and racism, From the Ashes is ultimately a celebration of love and “a story of courage and resilience certain to strike a chord with readers from many backgrounds” (Library Journal).
Rae's Reading Lounge 