Cover Image: Scratching River

Scratching River

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Member Reviews

Scratching River was a challenging read, not only due to the difficult subject matter it tackles, but also the unique structure through it is presented. In the end, the format of storytelling made much more sense to me, but throughout it was a bit jarring to move so quickly between different topics. When I was getting very invested and wanted more, there was an abrupt cut to the other part of the story being told. I respect the author’s intent and I think it’s quite brilliant in retrospect, but it just made the reading experience more difficult personally.
Handling a story of abuse towards a person diagnosed with schizophrenia and autism witnessed first hand is difficult, it’s uncomfortable and it is important. What goes on in institutions that take care of people that can’t speak for themselves must be scrutinized and I think this work brings awareness to this issue extremely effectively.
I also thoroughly enjoyed the parts detailing the Métis people history, I learned so much and I am interested in researching more. As well as the matter of the impact colonization had in the ecosystems.
Thank you so much to NetGalley for providing me with a digital arc for this book!

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thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This book was not an easy one to read, it deals with very heavy and emotionally difficult topics. However, I am so happy that I read this book! I read a lot of poetry and so I always gravitate towards books written with poetic flair. Michelle Porter’s words are lyrical, haunting, and extremely moving! I appreciate how effortlessly she can interweave abstract observations, emotions, and thoughts with historical accounts. I enjoyed the formatting of the book as well- it added a lot to the aura of the novel and suited the text well.

Métis culture, history, and ways of life are I front and center in this novel. I found the recurring motif of rivers and burdock root to be particularly moving- especially the emphasis on naming and renaming. I thought the inclusion of newspaper-esque announcements about the investigation into her brother’s group home was a good choice. It allowed the author’s voice to stay more abstract and poetic while still moving the narrative along.

A few other things I loved: the title! and the gorgeous cover! What a beautiful book!

I’m excited for this book to be published and I will definitely consider purchasing a physical copy for myself.

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Scratching River weaves multiple stories and voices across time to explore the strengths and challenges of the ways in which Métis have created, and continue to create, home through a storied and mobile social geography that is always on the move. This book is emotional but well worth it.

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In a poetic and unconventional work of narrative nonfiction, Métis author Michelle Porter uses several different threads of story and style in Scratching River to braid together meaning from the history of her immediate family, her ancestors, and the entire Métis people. Primarily centered on Porter’s older brother Brendon — and the personal trauma that the author suffered when she, as a teenager, learned of the abuse Brendon was experiencing at a group home — Porter hearkens to the vanished landscape that her people so closely identified with to claim for them the tenacity of the gratchias, the adaptability of a rerouted river, and the strength of prairie bison. This is such a personal story, told in an engagingly provocative manner, that “rating” it feels meaningless: this is a perfect manifestation of its intent.

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