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The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian, by Sherman Alexie
by Inmaculada Trigo (Av2 Mon, 2009-10) - About 225 words

Sherman Alexie grew up in the Spokane Indian reservation in Wellpinit. This novel is based on his own childhood. It was published in September 2007.

This book is about Arnold, a fourteen-year-old boy. He was born with excess of spinal fluid inside his skull and he underwent brain surgery when he was a baby. Also, he suffered from physical problems throughout his childhood.

Arnold lives with his family in a reservation. He has a friend, Rowdy, who is the toughest kid "on the rez". Arnold decides to go to Reardan High School which is off the reservation. This decision causes him many problems with his friend Rowdy and he has the feeling of betraying his tribe.

This novel is not a conventional diary so do not be put off by the title. The reading is enjoyable and it is enriched with very funny cartoons – they are the way he deals with reality under a different light. I also found the comparisons between Indian and White cultures very valuable because they show us the problems this community has in the reservation.

"The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian" is a must-read novel. I would highly recommend it because it is an interesting reading for English learners and also because you can broaden your knowledge about Indian culture.

(Re)Sources:

http://www.talkingpeople.net/tp/skills/writing/typesoftexts/descriptive.htm (for the theory)
http://www.eoigetafe.es/ingles/pages/studentscorner/writing/writing.html (for examples)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/29/books/review/Browning-t.html (for examples)
http://www.fallsapart.com/biography.html (for info on the author)
Ready For CAE Coursebook by Roy Norris (for the theory)