The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Dealing with crushing poverty, a legacy of alcoholism, and a number of deadly tragedies sounds like just another depressing YA downer novel. But thankfully, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian was written by the hilarious and masterful Sherman Alexie, so instead, it is a refreshingly funny and honest story that will hook you from the very beginning.

Arnold Spirit, known as Junior on the rez (the Spokane Indian reservation he lives on), is the bluntly hilarious, yet endearing narrator who loves drawing cartoons and playing basketball. But the 14 year old must learn to deal with the life of being a "part-time Indian" when he leaves the rez in Wellpinit to attend an all-white school in Reardan, a town 22 miles away. In Reardan, there is HOPE--hope for a better education, hope to one day leaving the rez for good--because in Reardan, there are white people! Junior is a smart kid with a lot of potential, but by leaving the rez he must not only deal with being the only Indian in his new school (besides the team mascot, that is) and with making friends, but even more so with being seen as a traitor to his people--who already picked on him before he left. Leaving the rez also means leaving his best (and only) friend, Rowdy, who has his share of problems but always stood up for Junior. Throughout the story, though, Junior shows his bravery and determination, even in the face of tragedy, in order to leave the reader with a sense of hope...without being cheesy.

In this semi-autobiographical story, Sherman Alexie gives us an honest and unapologetic look at what it's like to be an Indian growing up on a reservation, or as Junior puts it, "a poor-ass reservation kid living with his poor-ass family on the poor-ass Spokane Indian Reservation" (7). In addition to the unrelenting poverty that those on the reservation must deal with their whole lives, there is also the issue of alcoholism that is rampant throughout the reservation. And with that, alcohol-related deaths. Even though these are difficult issues to deal with, Alexie does so in a sharp, real and eye-opening way. His ability to be simultaneously funny and bluntly honest can make you both laugh out-loud and want to cry. But Alexie shows that this is part of the Indian experience. In the story, Junior explains that "sure, Indians were drunks and sad and displaced and crazy and mean, but, dang, we knew how to laugh" (166). Alexie also shows the importance of friendship and family, along with the difficulties of identity and conflicts between what one wants out of life and what is expected of them.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian reminded me a bit of American Born Chinese. Both contain young male narrators who deal with issues of conflicting ethnic identities and while TATDOAPTI (long title!) is not a graphic novel, it is illustrated with great cartoons throughout. As Sherman Alexie's first young adult style novel, I would jump at the chance to use this text in the classroom, perhaps as part of a unit on multiculturalism or identity. The only thing, other than language, that could possibly offend book-banning enthusiasts would be a couple (funny) references made to Junior's love of masturbation. Nothing graphic, though.

So, if you still aren't convinced about The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, I will allow Stephen Colbert to help me do so. Sherman Alexie was recently on Stephen's TV show, The Colbert Report, to promote the book. It's a great interview and Alexie actually accomplishes the unthinkable--leaving Colbert speechless!

The Colbert ReportMon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Sherman Alexie

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