The Marrow Thieves

📚 120/100 (2024 Reading Goal) 📖 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙤𝙬 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙨 ✍️ 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 🎧 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝗴𝘄𝘂𝗻 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗯𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱: Post apocalyptic, dystopian, native/indigenous peoples’ stories, beautiful prose, first person narrative, found family 𝗙𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗤𝘂𝗼𝘁𝗲(𝘀): “I watched his soul fold up on itself like a closing door. The light and warmth and humanity clapped shut in his eyes because he couldn’t protect the one thing that mattered. There was no coming back from that, even if he did manage to walk away later on, which he wouldn’t.” “So much laid to waste from the miscalculation of infallibility in the face of a planet’s revolt.” “And how quickly people would forget the art in the Indian and instead see only the commodity.” “‘…running only works if you’re moving towards something, not away. Otherwise, you’ll never get anywhere.’” 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: “The Marrow Thieves” by Cherie Dimaline is an exquisitely crafted post-apocalyptic tale that deeply affected me, resonating long after the final chapter. Dimaline’s unique gift for world-building creates a setting that is both heartbreakingly desolate and hauntingly beautiful. The post-apocalyptic landscape is vividly depicted, immersing me in its stark reality and tender moments of hope. The story is more than just a dystopian adventure; it’s a poignant exploration of humanity’s resilience and the enduring power of connection. Each character is intricately developed, their struggles and triumphs painting a comprehensive picture of survival and love in a world gone awry. Dimaline skillfully interweaves the pre-apocalypse struggles of Indigenous peoples, highlighting their history of resistance, cultural richness, and the profound impact of their unique gift of dreaming. In this dystopian future, where the world has been ravaged and people have lost the ability to dream, the Indigenous peoples’ ability to dream becomes a coveted resource. They are hunted for their bone marrow, which holds the key to restoring this lost ability. This brutal reality adds a chilling layer to the narrative, underscoring the ongoing exploitation and marginalization of Indigenous communities. Dimaline’s portrayal of these harrowing circumstances is both powerful and deeply moving, shedding light on the resilience and strength of these communities. Cherie Dimaline’s prose is lyrical and evocative, making the story’s emotional impact even more profound. I found myself crying several times throughout the story, shedding tears of happiness during moments of hope and connection, and tears of immense sadness during the harrowing and heartbreaking scenes. Her ability to blend the harsh realities of a post-apocalyptic world with moments of beauty and tenderness is truly remarkable. “The Marrow Thieves” is a testament to her skill as a storyteller, offering a narrative that is as thought-provoking as it is heart-wrenching. The audiobook narration by Meegwun Fairbrother was nothing short of incredible. His voice brought each character to life with such depth and authenticity that I felt entirely immersed in their journeys. The occasional sound effects, such as the crackling of the campfire and the eerie sound of the wind during the most horrific parts of the story, added an extra layer of realism, making the listening experience even more captivating. The subtle nuances in Fairbrother’s performance captured the emotional weight of the story perfectly, enhancing the already gripping narrative. Overall, “The Marrow Thieves” is an unforgettable read, and the audiobook elevates the experience to new heights. It’s a story that lingers in your mind and heart, a beautiful yet devastating journey that I cannot recommend enough.

"And I understood as long as there are dreamers left, there will never be want for a dream." I love The Marrow Thieves! Cherie Dimaline mixed the perfect blend of dystopia with a bit of science fiction, love, and hope and created a beautiful story about the human condition. And the way they took care of Minerva 😭 Read this if you like: • Indigenous fiction • Found family • Dystopian fiction

This book destroyed me and then mended me back more whole than I was before. The theme of the story is perseverance through loss; surviving the unsurvivable and finding new and old reasons to continue. I am mixed. Métis and Irish on my mom’s side and a bunch of everything on my dad’s side. Reading a book where I can truly identify is rare. The sense of culture loss and the slow trickle of more of that culture being erased by lack of opportunities to pass it on spoke so much to me. As did the scramble to fight to maintain and learn it. The sprinkling of words that Frenchie held onto like treasure… I felt that to my core. There’s so much to pay attention to in this book… so many important stories and threads that all create something so beautiful… and yet also it’s got hints of teen angst, first love, and jealousy… it all wrapped up into this book that is immediately one of my favorites.

Very good book. Its sad but a very good read. Glad I have it in my collection of native writes.

Indigenous people in dystopian future setting. Amazingly well developed characters. Lots of imagery. Some dark and mature topic material. Read in 9th grade expeeienxet

I really wanted to love this book. It's a very dense read with an enticing storyline. However, the writing style doesn't move the action forward in a meaningful way. The author focuses on details in a way that can be distracting.

The power of story, the power of language, the power of dream: these form the core of this novel. It is more about these than the apocalyptic, speculative future. The beauty of this novel is the power with which the author evokes the heartache, loss, and hope. I am still grappling with the end and I may rate it higher after some time. I am haunted about 5he thoughts of what we lose when we eviscerate culture, and the realization that what we destroy may be the only thing that can save us

The Marrow Thieves is a captivating look at how Indigenous people survive and try to thrive despite being hunted by white people again, this time for their ability to still dream, after the climate apocalypse. **POTENTIAL SPOILERS BELOW** Ms Dimaline is a true storyteller. Her world-building is horrifyingly realistic, given the subject matter. Her characters are fully realized and your focus is instantly drawn to them. She is uniquely capable of making you care deeply for all of them. I love her descriptions of the bonds batween virtual strangers who are still family because of their shared history. I cried in several places and the ending was perfect for the story. It leaves you with hope, despite it not really being a resolution.

はらはらドキドキ。現実世界の分断や環境悪化も鋭くついてくる、そして絆の強さが胸に迫る作品

This book was amazing. I honestly don't have another word for it. The Indigenous MC and his found family running from the white society trying to steal their bone narrow in order to be able to dream again. It was dystopian, but not out of the realms of possibility all together and the story did a tremendous job connecting past, present and future to have you *feel* every word of it and watch it in front of your inner eye. I was struggling to breathe at times, cried more than I thought I would, but also smiled and sighed contentedly more than I thought possible. It was the gripping story combined with a wonderful cast of characters, all written in amazing prose that sucked me in and never let me go. I keep thinking back on this book a lot even weeks after finishing it, and I really can't recommend it highly enough. I am adding content warnings though, for semi-explicit descriptions of sexual assault and medical procedures for without consent, as well as racism, assault and violence and death of a minor in page.

Read it, if you care about the fate of humanity, about the fate of the planet. The writing and story telling is wonderful, the characters strong. I could go on in my praise but just go on and read it. This is important work.

The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline is a powerful and haunting dystopian novel that explores themes of survival, identity, and the impact of colonization. Set in a future where Indigenous peoples are hunted for their ability to dream, the story follows a group of survivors as they navigate a harsh landscape in search of safety and hope. Dimaline’s lyrical prose and rich character development bring the narrative to life, creating an emotional connection with the readers. The book deftly weaves Indigenous culture and history into its narrative, making it both educational and engaging. The themes of resilience and community shine through, highlighting the importance of storytelling and connection in the face of oppression. The Marrow Thieves is not only a gripping read but also a profound commentary on the legacy of colonization, making it a must-read for those interested in thought-provoking literature.

I love the story. I only wish there was a series or something, because I already know that I will miss the protagonists. I'll for sure look out for her new stories.