Smart, thoughtful, insightful, and interesting. This is a gorgeous snapshot of human nature, and exploration of who we are at our core. It’s not going to be for everyone, there’s a bit more literary prose than some will enjoy, but I enjoyed it.

4.25+ stars

This book is exactly what the description says: a cohesive, powerful exchange of letters and ideas between two influential and significant literary and cultural figures. I’ll probably need to revisit some sections in more depth in the future, but it will definitely be a text I recommend for students in Indigenous Studies courses as well as any who are interested in social justice issues and social reform. I’m glad this book exists and that I was able to read a copy.

This book entails a series of letters written back and forth between the author and Leanne Betasamosake during the pandemic. These writings certainly provide some interesting takes on hot topics like issues around indigenous land (and colonization) and black rebellions against police brutality (and slavery) however the writing seemed a bit dry. While the ideas and concepts were well thought out and powerful there delivery - long, winding, stream of consciousness letters fell a little flat for me. Perhaps I am just used to these topics being written about with much more urgency. I can however see the value in addressing these concepts in this way, and for anyone who enjoys this type of writing I would recommend.

One of my favourite non-fiction reads of this year so far, it was a privilege to be privy to these letters written between two of the greatest writers and activists of our time in Canada.
Maynard and Simpson's honest and raw letters to each other felt personal, insightful and hopeful. I think it was also really beautiful to see this friendship and relationship that started from mutual respect and admiration for each other's work that turned into a true friendship between two remarkable women and their families. The way they spoke to each other about the pain and hardships their communities have experienced and continue to go through during the pandemic, were still infused with so much care and love.
What really drew me to this book was the connections made between the fight for Black lives and the fight for Indigenous lives. All too often, social justice work is seen as separate when all these injustices are linked. They intersect and build off each other as consequences of capitalism and white patriarchy. This book talked about these connections so well, and I believe it is an essential read for our times.

This book was absolutely amazing! I loved the form - the letters between the authors made it even more intimate. It also does a good job of relating the themes of politics, environmentalism, Indigeneity and Blackness to each other. It was beautifully written and completely enthralling.