This is a memoir of a Métis-Cree man who refused to give up. Abandoned by his parents as a toddler, he was briefly in the foster care system before being taken in by his paternal grandparents. Their tough love and the conflicts he experienced at school took Jesse down a dark path. He succumbed to a self-destructive cycle of drug and alcohol addiction and petty crime, spending more than a decade on and off the streets, often homeless. One day, he finally realized he would die unless he turned his life around.

This is a book that everyone should read. This memoir felt like fiction in that it seems like there is no way that one person could go through this much - it was eye opening into the experience of many Indigenous people and those who face homelessness. It's about family, forgiveness, hope and perseverance. This book reminded me that having one person who believes in you can be enough, even if that's yourself. Hats off to Jesse Thistle for persevering against all odds.

Thank you to Atria - I received a copy of this book as host of The Gloss Oakville.

Often raw and disquieting, but ultimately beautiful and hopeful.
This is the hard hitting journey from the depths of addiction, homelessness and crime to the pinnacle of an award receiving memoir and a life redeemed.
I often found myself cringing and wanting to shy away from the horrible decisions the author made in his youth and into adulthood. His life on the streets doing everything you can imagine (minus murder) to get his next high. From a childhood in which he felt shame for his indigenous roots and a broken home that left him in the system. Being saved by his grandparents only to damage his relationship with them to the breaking point. While at times wanting to die and doing things that could have left him dead only to realize there is something to live for and fighting with everything he had left to do so.
This one is definitely hard hitting and emotional. I loved the conversational writing style that gave the book a feeling of intimacy. I empathized with the author from beginning to end and rejoiced in his grit and determination to change.
If you enjoy and are drawn to memoirs, this is one not to be missed. Kudos to the author for sharing his life in such an accessable way and giving hope when there sometimes feels there is none.

This book is a powerful memoir about Jesse Thistle’s life beginning with neglect and abuse at the hands of his father, abandonment by both his parents, getting kicked out by his grandparents, and the eventual and seemingly inevitable spiral of homelessness, and drug and alcohol addiction as an adult.

This was a heavy, haunting read. The author minces no words in recounting his experiences and is very matter of fact about the choices he made and how they pulled him deeper and deeper into poverty and addiction. He is almost clinical about it. About three quarters of the way through I felt exhausted and was ready for a happy ending.

Interspersed throughout the book, the author included beautifully written poems that exuded emotion, self compassion, and healing. I found it juxtaposed the writing style of the rest of the book really well. The only reason I only gave three stars is because I was really hoping that near the end of the book some of that passion would come through in his recollection of his life since finding love and getting a handle on his addictions. Overall I would recommend this read - I think it’s an important perspective to better understand and a reminder that many don’t make it out the other side of poverty and addiction.

Heartbreaking and inspiring. I love memoirs where the author triumphantly battles their demons to rise above their afflictions, and Jesse did just that. This story - his story will stay with me way after finishing the last page.

I may be the last person in North America to read this book and actually bought a print copy before even reading the ARC,. knowing beforehand that this memoir would live up to the "hype." I finally decided it was time to add it to my personal reading accomplishments and dove in. Wow. While I do not like to review memoirs on a personal level, I know it's expected of a NetGalley title so I will say Jesse's story is heartrending and he is a gifted storyteller. As a printed work, it shines a spotlight on so many broken aspects of our social justice system through the lens of a very intimate and candid narrative.

I read this book as a part of my book club. I was surprised by how quickly I felt a personal connection to Jesse and his story. The ups and downs of his early life were heavy, raw, and full of emotion. I was extremely invested in the journey that Jesse was on throughout his life. Now, I follow Jesse on social media and love to continue watching him grow in life.

Jesse Thistle bravely shares his story with the reader with beautiful, poetic writing (and some literal poetry). While this memoir is very difficult to read due to sexual assault, drug and alcohol addiction, crime, homelessness, and racism, it is an important read. Jesse really spelled out how so many different systems failed him in his life and how he overcame all of that to turn his life around. There were parts that made me cringe and want to yell at him to stop making the same bad decisions over and over. However, in the end, he turns his life around and learns to embrace everything about who he is and his Metis-Cree ancestry and it is beautiful. While this book is not for everyone, I highly recommend it for those who are comfortable with being uncomfortable and for those who are interested in learning about life experiences that don’t reflect their own.

Thoroughly enjoyed (appreciated?) this gritty and honest portrayal of homelessness/drug addiction and subsequent sobriety, as through the lens of a member of the Indigenous Peoples. Excellent for anyone interested in working with those experiencing homelessness and addictions.

ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley, but the opinions are my own.

What a raw and up close look at addiction, crime, and survival. The tough love and hardships Jesse and his brothers had to face so young made my heart break. I liked the short chapters and how each one had an event that shaped Jesse into the person he was. It was hard to put down, I wanted to see him succeed and there were times I thought he would before something happened to turned back to what he knew.

Being happen to tell this story, the good and bad, just shows how strong Jesse has become. Thank you for sharing your story and I hope it gives hope to others in a similar situation.

Thank you Atria Books and Netgalley for the gifted copy

Whoa! If you are looking for a nonfiction book to read for November put this on your list now!

This memoir was a devastatingly emotional and intense journey of Jesse’s life. It is a spellbinding truthful heavy hitter and I was engulfed by what cards life dealt him and I did find myself crying throughout the book.

His story represents the true life struggles with abandonment, addiction, abuse, poverty and homelessness.

His life was formidable, but he was able to overcome by his sheer will and determination…and that my friends is NOT an easy feat to achieve!! Bravo Jesse, all the stars to you!

Wow. I’m not crying, you’re crying! This was such an emotional read and roller coaster ride. I was so caught up in Jesse’s journey and completely invested in seeing where it took him. An incredibly powerful story that left me in awe at the fact that Jesse is still here today. It left a huge impression on me and my heart and gave a glimpse into a life of someone who was already born with a disadvantage in the world. The reality of being abandoned, homeless, and the lack of support for indigenous people and those in throes of addiction is heart wrenching. I will be forever grateful for those who write their stories and lay bare their journeys to educate those of us who are in the dark. Thank you Jesse for sharing your amazing story.

Whether your normally read memoirs or not, I would highly suggest you add this book to read.

Jesse’s story, told in short chapters and divided up in chunks of time, spans his entire life.

It’s honest and at times heart breaking but really gives an inside look at addiction and life on the streets of various parts of Canada.

There are many beautiful and original poems from Jesse that begin each section of his story. Those alone are worth the read.

Since this is Jesse’s story and he tells it with such clarity, all I will say Jesse tells of childhood abandonment, of his criminal activities due to drug addiction, and of his decision to change his life.

This is a book that should get in the hands of as many people as possible especially at risk youth and adults trying to overcome addictions.

An incredible story of a person's resilience, development and achievement. An inspirational memoir exploring addiction and search for one's own heritage and place in this world.

With honesty and sincerity, Jesse allows us to walk beside him on his personal journey in 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐬.

He starts at the very beginning when, as a young boy, his mother left him and his brothers with his dad. His father, abusive and a drug addict, soon abandoned the boys too. Eventually landing at their grandparents’ home, Jesse was treated differently. Not only because he had no parents, but also because he was of mixed indigenous heritage.

Acting out, defending himself, feeling shame, Jesse soon became a troublemaker and fell in with the wrong crowd, doing drugs and getting into fights. When his grandfather discovered he was doing drugs, he kicked him out.

Now Jesse was homeless and a drug addict. He tells of his horrifying experiences, of being assaulted and seriously injured. In and out of jail, not being able to shake the demon of addiction, Jesse’s story shines a spotlight on how the system is broken in many ways.

Finally, through the help of Harvest House and other mentors, Jesse begins taking classes, possibly a way out of his darkness.

What Jesse has overcome is a testament to his spirit.
He certainly gives us the hard, ugly truth of what it is to be an addict. But he also provides us with the hope and proof that proper education and love can rebuild what trauma, racism, hate, and addiction have torn down.

Jesse’s own poetry is scattered throughout, which gives this memoir an even deeper, more personal touch.

Thank you to @suzyapprovedbooktours @atriabooks and @czechmet for an invite to the tour and a gifted copy.

This book gave a brutal account of addiction And homelessness. It was difficult to understand how the author was able to leave this destructive behavior.

Such an important novel. It's so eye-opening and very intense as well. It's such a heart wrenching story, at times it's very difficult to read, but it's so rewarding to read. I will recommend this memoir to anybody in my life. I believe it's a story that needs to be shared with many.

Thank you to the publishers for the free copy of from the Ashes for the girly book club.


This is a memoir that covers an all host of issues ranging from child abuse to homelessness I recommend its an interesting read but very harrowing. TW contains talk or rape.

5 STARS

In this extraordinary and inspiring debut memoir, Jesse Thistle—once a high school dropout and now a rising Indigenous scholar—chronicles his life on the streets and how he overcame trauma and addiction to discover the truth about who he is.

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Real talk: this was a really difficult read. It's raw, unflinching, ugly. It shines a light on the systemic racism within my country and how broken our system really is. Although Thistle eventually "finds his way" there are so many that don't.

Personally, I would recommend listening to the audio version of this, as it is read by the author himself. Hearing his words, experiences and recovery in his own voice was very powerful. Exquisitely written and highly recommended.

From the Ashes was written and narrated by Jesse Thistle, a Métis-Cree, from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. This book takes the reader on a journey through his life, from the time he was abandoned by his parents, lived in foster care, moved in with his paternal grandparents, was kicked out, lived on the streets and finally found his way. The dedication of this book puts Jesse Thistle's life and circumstances into perspective, being an indigenous person in a colonialized country.

"The pages of this book speak to the damage colonialism can do to Indigenous families, and how, when one’s Indigeneity is stripped away, people can make poor choices informed by pain, loneliness, and heartbreak, choices that see them eventually cast upon the streets, in jail, or wandering with no place to be. I dedicate this book to you. I walk with you. I love you. I know the loneliness and frustration you endure."

Some of the stories Jesse shared in this book are heartbreaking and I was in tears more than once. He didn't know where he belonged, and constantly tried to find his place. Racism is terrible now, but it was even worse back then and the affects on someone's life who is a target can tear someone down. His addiction took over his life for a period of time and he almost died more than once. I am amazed at his strength and resilience to survive and deal with his addiction. The realization that he would die if he didn't change his ways, started him on his way, but it was family that supported him that gave him the hope that he could overcome his addictions. I pledged this year to read a minimum of 5 books about Indigenous people, residential schools and racism toward the indigenous North American people. This was a very different view from my last one. I recommend this book to those trying to educate themselves about the plight of the Indigenous people.

With short chapters (many one, two or three pages) and free verse introducing sections, this book moves quickly into stories about his life in homelessness, addiction and violence/theft. The first 300 of 350 pages are continuous struggle of this difficult life. For someone who lived such a hard life, and as he mentioned for a long time, couldn’t think clearly, it is amazing how he was able to go back and talk with people who worked with him, to put it back together. The copy I have said it was the top selling book in Canada in 2020. I’m sure it is the story of so many people who don’t have a voice, and it is amazing how he was able to finally overcome it all.

“All is criminals start out as normal people just like anyone else, but then things happen in life that tear us apart, that make us into something capable of hurting other people. That’s all any of the darkness really is - just love gone bad. We’re just broken-hearted people hurt by life.” P260 (he describes as told to him by Priest)