Dr. Jackie Greenwood

Summary

The author reflects on their struggle to engage with "The Inconvenient Indian" by Thomas King, despite their interest in the subject and their collection of similar works by authors like Tommy Orange and Jesse Thistle.

Abstract

The text is a personal reflection on the author's inability to read "The Inconvenient Indian" by Thomas King, a book that sits on their shelf and calls out to them. The author acknowledges the importance and potential fascination of the book, which offers a narrative about native people in North America. Despite multiple attempts and a demonstrated interest in related literature, the author consistently finds themselves avoiding the book, favoring fiction that allows for more satisfying conclusions. The author expresses regret for not being able to engage with King's work

#DECEMBER PROMPT

A Slim, Red, Book I Have Failed To Read

“The Inconvenient Indian” by Thomas King

A slim, red, volume, beckons from the shelf but I skitter by, head down

How could I not read a curious account of native people in North America?

I have tried, really I have year after year

And others on that same shelf, Tommy Orange or Jesse Thistle, vouch for my interest

But time after time, even before that dog-eared page, my shoulders sag my eyes droop

I have failed Thomas, and for that I am sorry So must confess my addiction to fiction, escaping into stories crafted from reality, but with endings I want to imagine

An excuse, perhaps But, head down, I walk past that slim, red, volume yet again

Dr. Jackie Greenwood

As always, thanks to Lucy The Eggcademic (she/her) for challenging my noodle of a brain!

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