Beautiful Beautiful

by Brandon Reid

Imbued with passion, creativity and insight, Brandon Reid’s debut novel is a wonderfully creative coming-of-age story exploring indigeneity, masculinity and cultural tradition. Twelve-year-old Derik Mormin travels with his father and a family friend to Bella Bella for his grandfather’s funeral. Along the way, he uncovers the traumatic history of his ancestors, considers his relationship to masculinity and explores the contrast between rural and urban lifestyles in hopes of reconciling the seemingly unreconcilable, the beauty of each the Indigenous and “Western” way of life—hence beautiful beautiful . He travails a storm, meets long-lost relatives, discovers his ancestral homeland; he suffers through catching fish, gains and loses companions, learns to heal trauma. In Beautiful Beautiful we delve into the mind of a gifted boy who struggles to find his role and persona through elusive circumstance, and— All right, that’s quite enough third-person pandering; you’re not fooling anyone. Redbird here, Derik’s babysitter, and narrator of this here story. Make sure to smash that like button. We’re here to bring light to an otherwise grave subject, friends. It’s only natural to laugh while crying. I bring story to life. One minute I’m a songbird singing from a bough, the next, I’m rapture. I connect you to the realm of spirit… Well, as best I can, given your mundane allocation. Follow us through primordial visions, dance with a cannibal (don’t worry, they’re friendly once tamed) and discover what it takes to be united. Together, we’ll have fun. Together, we are one. So tuck in, and believe what you’ll believe, for who knows what yesterday brings. Amen and all my relations, all my relations and amen.

Genres: Fiction, Indigenous, Canada

336 pages, Paperback

First published April 2, 2024

Reviews

[Mish Middelmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it a lot of the time, disturbed by its rhythms a lot of the time, and rather bored at times. What began to dawn on me was the intentionality of all this.

On reflection, I think this book is about the challenges of growing up in two (earthly) worlds, one white and one indigenous. Plus, of course, the vast mystery of the spirit world, which is so much more present and accessible to the indigenous dimension of the characters in the book.

Why I think the rhythms are awkward is because it is awkward to embody, as the lead character Derik does, both white settler and indigenous Heiltsuk ancestry. Why I think I found it boring sometimes is partly because it is often a bit boring to be 12 years old. And Derik spaces out in a very 12-year-old boyish way when this awkwardness gets too much for him. There is also ample evidence of the way that cheap consumption drives a lot of the poor end of north American society and creates a dumbed-down existence between junk food and games and aimlessness.

And then there is the lyrical spirit world, embodied by Raven and Redbird, that sees beyond all the earthly messiness, and holds a bigger vision for Derik to reconnect with his indigenous roots, and is able to see way beyond the flotsam and jetsam and aimless conversations. It is exciting to see what might be the authorial vision of people able to transcend petty family squabbles as well as the complexities of living between two cultures. I believe the book points us towards a world that is rooted in deep respect for the land and respectful of the enduring bonds of family and purpose even in great adversity.

I am indebted also to the author for sharing a perspective on masculine and feminine energies I find truly empowering:

In our culture, everyone has a masculine side to them; this round [in the sweat lodge] isn't just for the men, but for everyone.

And the next round in the lodge invites a similar inclusiveness about feminine energies "within and all around us."

Overall I am grateful for this journey through multiple colliding and coexisting worlds that somehow provides us with some signposts towards what we should stand for - and what we should put up with - to thrive in times of diversity and conflict.

[Thomas Hale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coming-of-age novel about a boy travelling with his father and family friend to reconnect with his relatives and attend his grandfather's funeral. Reckoning with his mixed Western and Heiltsuk heritage, Derik tries to assert his masculinity, his empathy, and his need to feel useful. The story is also told from the perspective of Redbird, Derik's guardian sprit/imaginary friend, which provides a fond maturity to counterbalance his adolescent anxieties. Reid's writing is really engrossing, whether describing a brutal fishing expedition or a heartbreaking encounter with Derik's aunt. I liked this one a lot, and I'm happy I picked it up.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for the Festival of Words in Moose Jaw where the author will be speaking this weekend. I like when kids are portrayed as smart and multifaceted like Derik was in this books as too often I think young people don’t get enough credit. The book also captured some hormonal moments of rage perfectly.

I haven’t read much, if anything, set on a fishing boat and I enjoyed that experience quite a lot.

I didn’t love how most of the girl and women characters were written.

[Enid Wray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starting off with a storm on a boat - both literal and metaphorical - this is a proud celebration of people, time and place.

This title is like Eden Robinson’s Trickster trilogy - but in hyper-drive or on steroids (if you dare to imagine that!!)

Highly recommended.

[JXRReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

pretty darn great. i would definitely recommend this one to everyone. a coming of age story discussing identity as indigenous. thanks for the arc

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Carly Jade]

DNF