I was first drawn to this book because of the cover artwork - stunning. The multi-generational tale of trauma and healing was told from multiple stories/POV and I related to some more than others. The buffalo aspect was an interesting addition (interesting I'm a good way.) While this novel did not follow the storytelling methods I'm used to, it was a beautiful intricate work of Indigenous fiction.

An exploration of the importance of matriarchy to the healing of trauma. A multi-generational, multiple point of view novel that combines story and some humour to help explore the legacy of trauma in and resiliency of one Métis family. A highly recommended read.

I was initially drawn to this book by the cover. It's gorgeous!

I found it challenging to get into this book. Typically I can finish a book in 2-3 days, this one took me 21! The book has several stories taking place at the same time and alternates between them frequently. Some of the story lines I just could not get into which made it hard to want to keep reading. I wish the book had been written with each short story all together. I felt that it would have flowed better.

Overall, I didn't mind the book, as I really enjoyed a couple of the stories.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

First drawn in by the cover, A Grandmother Begins the Story by Michelle Porter is a beautiful story that is quietly powerful, begging to be read again and again.

Meet the Goulet family. They are a Métis family known for their music and jigging. The story takes readers on a multigenerational journey, and we become privy to hardships endured and connected traumas. Told from multiple perspectives, it does contain content relating to death, grief, alcohol and drug use, and suicide.

Porter’s writing left me filled with charm and wonder. A character-driven novel, Porter beautifully portrays the voices of each Goulet woman in various stages of life. I also adore how she includes the voices of the animals and the land around them. I loved the bison and the many voices who contributed to this beautiful story.

Thank you to Netgalley, Penguin Random House Canada, and Viking for an eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you to Netgalley and Pegnuin Random House for my arc of A Grandmother Begins the Story by Michelle Porter!

This is a book that I definitely want to read again! I had some issues with the file (and I didn't realize I could ask for help) so I found reading the book to be slow going. That said the number of times I needed to know what happened next tells me that once I have a format that's not going to fight me, it will be an immersive read!

Porter weaves a beautiful intergenerational story of a family of women from the great great grandmother Mamé to great great grand-daughter Carter. We spend most of the book with three characters, Mamé, Genviève (the great grandmother) and Carter but we meet all five generations of Métis women throughout the story. Porter explores the effects of colonialism and residential schools (mentioned briefly) on this family and how being disconnected from their culture, especially music (which is a major theme) has impacted the family.

I loved how Porter develops Carter, she begins the book wary of her biological family members and when her grandmother Lucie reaches out to her - to ask Carter to help her die - Carter decides to appear like she's humouring her in exchange for connections to her Métis culture.

This book deals with themes of intergenerational trauma, grief, cultural genocide but ultimately leaves the reader with hope. I will definitely reread this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for an advanced electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! This book publishes today, so keep an eye out!

This character-driven novel follows a family of Métis women and the hardships they face, along with their connected traumas. From the spirit world to trying to figure things out on Earth, this line of women doesn't have it easy. It's hard to describe without spoiling some of the big ideas, but what you need to know is that there are a lot of characters. There is a lot going on. This book is told from multiple perspectives, and it's hard to follow until you become familiar with all of them. It's more about the characters than it is about plot. That isn't to say that nothing happens, because it does, but that isn't the focus.

I wasn't sure about this book at first because I was confused about the multiple perspectives. I'm also more of a plot-driven novel kinda girl. But I definitely recommend this to anyone who loves multiple points of view, character-driven novels, and wants to read own voices Indigenous fiction.

Did I mention it publishes today? May 9th!

CW: death, grief, suicidal ideation, alcohol and drug use

DNF - I couldn't engage with this story given the format that it followed but, that being said, if it is released via audiobook in the future, I will revisit it. I think this is the type of story that certain readers will have no trouble following but, I prefer the more traditional approach.

What a unique way of story telling, I loved the perspective of the Buffalo added in with the different generations of indigenous women in one family.

I also loved the structure of the story telling, it will not be for everyone but I found it interesting and as the story wove it all came together.

A great edition to the indigenous literary world.