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42 pages 1 hour read

A Mind Spread Out on the Ground

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2019

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Book Brief

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Alicia Elliott

A Mind Spread Out on the Ground

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2019
Book Details
Pages

256

Format

Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction

Setting

Contemporary

Publication Year

2019

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

A Mind Spread Out on the Ground by Alicia Elliott is a 2019 essay collection exploring themes of depression, racism, sexism, and colonialism from an Indigenous perspective. Drawing on her experiences as a biracial Haudenosaunee woman, Elliott delves into her upbringing on the Six Nations reserve and addresses issues such as poverty, gentrification, publishing barriers, and the intergenerational impacts of colonialism, using historical context and personal anecdotes in essays like "Half-Breed: A Racial Biography in Five Parts" and "34 Grams per Dose."

Contemplative

Emotional

Dark

Informative

Melancholic

Reviews & Readership

4.5

10,130 ratings

89%

Loved it

9%

Mixed feelings

2%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

A Mind Spread Out on the Ground by Alicia Elliott is celebrated for its raw and powerful essays that navigate personal and collective Indigenous experiences. Critics commend Elliott's poignant, eloquent writing and deep reflections on identity, mental health, and colonization. Some suggest the emotional intensity and interwoven narrative may challenge less prepared readers, but overall, it’s a profoundly impactful read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read A Mind Spread Out on the Ground?

Readers who appreciate thought-provoking, introspective essays on Indigenous identity, mental health, and personal and societal struggles will find A Mind Spread Out on the Ground by Alicia Elliott compelling. Fans of Sherman Alexie's The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven or Roxane Gay's Hunger will also resonate with Elliott's candid and poignant storytelling.

4.5

10,130 ratings

89%

Loved it

9%

Mixed feelings

2%

Not a fan

Character List

Alicia Elliott

A Tuscarora writer and member of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy who overcame poverty and early motherhood, exploring her Indigenous identity and experiences through her writing.

Plays a significant role in Elliott's life as a motivation and lens through which she examines race and ethnicity, without revealing the child's name or gender.

Provides temporary relief and housing during difficult times and plays a pivotal role in Elliott's family dynamic.

A central figure whose struggles with bipolar disorder and cultural tensions greatly impact Elliott's life and themes explored in her writing.

Portrayed as both a loving figure and one who is abusive, he links Elliott to her Indigenous roots and carries intergenerational trauma.

Elliott’s younger brother, involved in a critical incident that underscores family dynamics and issues with privacy and secrecy.

Elliott’s high school boyfriend and later husband, whose relationship with her reflects on race, young parenthood, and mental health support.

Elliott’s youngest sibling, whose experiences prompt her to reflect on changes in her old neighborhood and family life.

Elliott’s younger sister, featured in a shoplifting incident, highlighting their shared experiences.

Elliott’s older sister, whose custody situation with their grandmother highlights themes of race and family dynamics.

Book Details
Pages

256

Format

Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction

Setting

Contemporary

Publication Year

2019

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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