Medicine Game by Delby Powless
Medicine Game
by Delby Powless
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My Ratings 4.6/5
Synopsis
MEDICINE GAME is a modern-day story set on the fictional Sparrow Lake Nation. It’s a story of Tommy Henry’s life on the Rez. Events from Tommy’s childhood lead him down a path of violent outbursts that trouble him throughout his young life. The very same outbursts he saw from his father Beau.
Tommy finds solace in the friendships he develops with his lacrosse teammates. He finds that the game of lacrosse is where he can go to let out the emotions, he has hidden deep inside him. Unfortunately, Tommy turns to heavy drinking and violence to help forget the issues he had hoped to leave in his past. Tommy’s friends and his love for the game of lacrosse keep him balanced for most of his life, but a time comes when he is forced to deal with his past demons. Beau soon must help his son fight the same battle he faced as a young man.
The people of the Sparrow Lake believe that the game of lacrosse was a gift given to them by the Creator. It was meant to be played with a good mind and strong heart. They believe that when they play the game the Creator smiles and blesses them with good health. That is why lacrosse is known to them as MEDICINE GAME. Embracing a good mind and strong heart, Tommy must come to terms with his childhood problems and find a way to heal before he hurts himself and those he loves.
MEDICINE GAME is an emotional story that brings to light some of the dark issues in Native communities while displaying the comedy that many Native people use to cope with such issues. This is the story of one young man’s healing journey.
My Thoughts
I’ve been in a bit of a book slump. I started and stopped three books before beginning this one. I picked it up solely because it is so different from what I have been reading.
Some say there is some predictability to the story and the ending. I didn’t find that at all. I loved the little twists and changes of direction that I was not expecting. The ending is well done. Though there is room for future speculation (which is just fine in my mind), it is unrushed and poignant. Who could ask for more? I am especially impressed with Medicine Game as it is Delby’s debut novel.
The game of lacrosse is a mystery to me, and has little appeal, even less so the fancy dress that seems to go with field games, and having read the book I may be a little better informed about the game but I am no more enthusiastic; but none of this hindered my enjoyment of Medicine Game.
Medicine Game is a well written and well constructed story, my appreciation of which was in no way hampered by my lack of interest or knowledge of the game of lacrosse. The characters are appealing and and clearly individual and one soon becomes concerned for each one of them; this is a touching and rewarding story of loyalties and friendship.
I’m not sure another book by Delby is coming anytime soon. But we do have this one, and I highly recommend it to all interested in entering the captivating world of these amazing characters. Interest in lacrosse not required.
A must read for sure!
Comments
Post a Comment