Medicine River Paperback – September 27, 2005

Having used the film made from King's book for my Native Images in Film course, I was interested to see how closely it adhered to the original form. I was not disappointed, and appreciated the changes the film clearly had to make. (Buy it from Amazon as well - I don't think you'll be disappointed either, it's good work.) As fellow Tsalagi (Cherokee) who has lived up north in the area where the book is placed, I couldn't help smiling at least a dozen times and thinking the words,"This is so rez...!" Finally, reading it as awriter, I was kept riveted by the tools through which King keeps unpeeling the characters, their stories and their lives. So this one is 3 for 3 for me - five stars, an engaging, enjoyable read well done that allows a realistic glimpse of our people as real human beings.

I loved this. Ir you've heard Thomas King, as on the Dead Dog Café - a short running PBS show - you will recognize the cadence and the tone of stories. These are all connected stories on the "rez". All with a warm and friendly approach, gently mocking at times, but always caring. They make you smile, mostly. I loved it. I looked for the movie, but could not find it anywhere. Fine little piece of literature. Thank you Mr. King.

I really enjoyed this book. It wasn't thrilling, no blood and guts, no heaving bosoms. Just a nice story about being connected. Loved the characters, all a little quirky in their own way and that you could relate to. Just a nice, easy read that made me feel good in the end.

I don't want to read a book where women are beaten by husbands and boyfriends and it is reported in the same way that you report a flat tire or a hangover. This normalizes brutality that needs to be called out. I'm not saying that that brutality doesn't happen or can't be included in a novel. I am saying that the tone of acceptance is unacceptable.

I can easily understand why this book is required reading in many Canadian high schools, and I only wish that it were required in American schools. It's an easygoing little story that packs a strong literary punch, which is no easy feat, and it captures the First Nations experience as well as anything I've ever read. Absolutely beautiful.

Will read more by this author

Thomas King is a master of presenting the human condition in a manner most enjoyable. It results in leaving you satisfied and yet wanting more.

Plan to read everything this author has written. This is why books will never stop being a popular way to read. Excellent book!

as described and on time

It wasn't what I expected but once I got into it I loved it

... anytime you pick up a Thomas King book. This one, Medicine River (AKA Fort Mcleod AB) is anchored in an area I know well, and I'm pretty sure I've actually encountered several of his characters although they almost certainly sported different identities (smile!).King writes a rollicking good tale that (and I'm sure it is his intent) gives the reader good insight into Native culture. I learn something new from every story, and that's the mark of a good storyteller.

I had to read this for an English course I’m taking, and I absolutely hated it. It was hard to understand the reason the book was written... it just gives you snippets of a characters life and then it ends without any real climax.

Anything by Thomas King is worth a read. His non fiction work, Inconvenient Indian, Massey Lectures are better but his fiction is quite good and features First Nations characters and reserve settings. He also wrote the radio series Dead Dog Cafe, hilarious.