81 pages • 2 hours read
There There
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Book Brief
304
Novel • Fiction
Oakland, California • Contemporary
2018
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In the 2018 novel by Arapahoe and Cheyenne author Tommy Orange, There There, 12 characters collectively recount the events leading up to a shooting at the Big Oakland Powwow. Throughout the novel, each character reflects on their relationship with Indigenous identity and connection to Oakland, California. Underneath the larger story about the powwow is a narrative thread that binds several of the characters together through family lineage.
Melancholic
Mysterious
Contemplative
Emotional
Gritty
Reviews & Readership
212,843 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Tommy Orange’s There There masterfully weaves together multiple Native American voices, offering a poignant, gritty portrayal of urban Indigenous life. Praised for its compelling narrative style and rich character development, it occasionally feels disjointed due to its many perspectives. Overall, a powerful and eye-opening debut.
Who Should Read There There?
Readers who would enjoy There There by Tommy Orange are often fans of modern, multi-narrative fiction that addresses complex cultural issues. Comparable works include Louise Erdrich’s Love Medicine and Sherman Alexie's The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven. Such readers appreciate stories exploring indigenous identities and contemporary struggles.
212,843 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Dene Oxendene
Dene Oxendene
A young documentary filmmaker working on a project capturing stories of Indigenous Americans around Oakland.
Opal Viola Victoria Bear Shield
Opal Viola Victoria Bear Shield
In her fifties, she works as a letter carrier and takes care of her sister's three grandsons. She attended an Indigenous protest at Alcatraz in 1970.
Jacquie Red Feather
Jacquie Red Feather
Opal's sister, recently sober and working as an addiction counselor, with a complicated personal history.
Edwin Black
Edwin Black
A young man exploring his Cheyenne heritage while working part-time at the Indian Center and helping plan the Big Oakland Powwow.
Bill Davis
Bill Davis
A custodian at the Oakland Coliseum and Vietnam War veteran, dating Edwin's mother and struggling to connect with Edwin.
Calvin Johnson
Calvin Johnson
A young Indigenous man in debt to Octavio due to drugs, living with his sister.
Orvil Red Feather
Orvil Red Feather
One of Jacquie's grandsons, raised by Opal, who dreams of powwow dancing and takes regalia from Opal to perform at the Big Oakland Powwow.
Octavio Gomez
Octavio Gomez
A drug dealer with knowledge of traditional healing practices, who plans to rob the Big Oakland Powwow.
Daniel Gonzales
Daniel Gonzales
Octavio's cousin, living with his parents, who learns to 3D-print guns and operates a drone.
Blue
Blue
The head of the powwow committee who works at the Indian Center, navigating her Indigenous heritage.
Thomas Frank
Thomas Frank
An alcoholic man who works at the Indian Center, part of the drumming group Southern Moon, which performs at the powwow.
304
Novel • Fiction
Oakland, California • Contemporary
2018
Adult
18+ years
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