I appreciate being given this book by the publisher. However, I was not able to open it on my kindle.

I wasn't really sure what this book was when I requested it from Netgalley, but was excited to get a copy and knew I wanted to read it during Native American Heritage Month, as I recognized the author's name as a notable YA indigenous author I'd had several books from on my middle school library's shelves. While this one is most certainly not for middle schoolers, I'm not quite sure who it is for, despite it being marketed as YA. However, I truly hope it finds its audience, as My Good Man is some gorgeous storytelling.

Brian is a young reporter at the local newspaper, where his main beat is covering small crimes from the nearby Tuscarora reservation where he grew up and where everyone he knows still lives. When he sees a familiar name come across the crime ticker, that of his mother's former boyfriend's brother Tim (a relationship definition that really buries the lead in terms of how he and Brian really know each other), he dreads returning to cover this story, but knows he must. Gansworth then takes us back to Brian's childhood and leads us fully through his teenage years before bringing us back to the present, and what the reader gets is an in-depth character study of Brian and those around him.

This book is long (or felt long on my kindle anyway), but that length helped to fully embed Brian into my thoughts and heart. The unique perspective Gansworth gives us, of a native teen seeing and processing the reservation and its people through white Tim's view, was compelling in a way I wasn't expecting. Brian doesn't necessarily explain everything about the Haudenosaunee language that is used or cultural habits and traditions the practice, but he does sometimes analyze what those things might be like for a white person living among them. Brian, while not flawless, is easy to love, and his self-reflection is admirable for someone his age. I'm not really sure what this story was about (the mysterious premise is not really in fact a mystery), but I think I loved it. Gansworth's writing is thoughtful, beautiful, and raw, and I think it would be a great selection for a book club or a class lit circle or something where it could be discussed. If you end of picking it up, I'd love to hear what you think!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Levine Querido for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

Brad thinks he has moved on, although being the only indigenous writer in the newsroom is challenging, until as assault of an old associate brings him back to his roots. The depictions of life on the reservation, as well as living as an indigenous man in this world were so good they were painful to read at times. At times it felt like two separate books, both equally powerful and disturbing, both discomforting as a reader. This coming of age is not for the faint of heart but everyone (myself included) should read more indigenous writers and character to know the joys and struggles of this community.

“Brian, a 20-something reporter on the Niagara Cascade‘s City Desk, is navigating life as the only Indigenous writer in the newsroom, being lumped into reporting on stereotypical stories that homogenize his community, the nearby Tuscarora reservation. But when a mysterious roadside assault lands Tim, the brother of Brian’s mother’s late boyfriend in the hospital, Brian must pick up the threads of a life that he’s abandoned.”

I can’t say I ‘enjoyed’ this book. Enjoyable books generally bring you comfort and feelings of contentment, and this book offered none at all.

It did, however, offer an amazing look at the intricacies of indigenous life, both on and off ‘rez’, with particular focus on living conditions, family dynamics, and everyday racism. It was detailed, but not boring. Pointing out differences between the indigenous and white communities was fascinating and necessary.

This could easily be two entire books – one of Brian’s childhood, one of his career as journalist and the mystery surrounding Tim’s attack.

I particularly appreciated that that the author narrated his own book, and the segments of Two Row (Wampum Treaty) at the beginning of each section. I’d seen picture of the belts, of course, but hearing the words associated with them was powerful.

Honestly, the books only drawback is its length. The audiobook was nearly TWENTY HOURS, so it’s a commitment. Like the best commitments, however, it’s worth the time and effort.

8/10

Thanks to NetGalley, Levine Querido, and RB Media for this marathon of an ARC.

Brian is a 20-something Indigenous writer working as a reporter - often roped into reporting on stereotypical stories about his community. The novel takes us through Brian’s life after Brian’s mom’s late boyfriend’s brother, Tim, gets involved in a serious accident that results with him in hospital.

The novel spans over two decades and deals with race, class and masculinity.

I enjoyed the themes in the story and learning more about Indigenous customs and communities. The novel did put me into a bit of a reading slump and took me a long time to finish - which coming of age novels normally don’t.

I really enjoyed the second half of the novel and preferred reading about Brian’s later years, seeing his newspaper articles and the relationships between characters in the later half.

A very complex novel about the interplay of identities, class, race, ethnicity, languages, and cultures on a Native American reservation in the 1970s, 80s, and later -- right up to the present. The story follows the path of one young boy and branches off on the parallel tracks of those in his life: his mother, her boyfriend, members of their community and those who come within the orbit of the reservation.

This novel is multi-layered and has many overlapping stories; the mess of characters lives feels like a bit of a character mess at times. It is difficult to track what is happening to whom and how events are interrelated at parts.

However, a reader that sticks with this novel will be rewarded with a sense of time that spans not only across generations but across conflicting communities.