What do you think?
Rate this book
Full Circle: The End of the Beginning
Native American historical literary fiction
A devastating introspective into Native American culture and ceremony, spirituality, humanity and society at large. Revealing the causes and effects of colonialism and manifest destiny.
Full Circle is the untold story of the forgotten children of the Indigenous First Nations of North America. Displaced, discarded, lost between two worlds after three hundred years of occupation. The story of the half-breed, the mix blood, the unaccepted.
Jackson Themal is one of these lost children. Raised in the foster care system away from his People, as a boy becoming a man he loathes what he is devolving into. Surely there must be a better way.
Jackson will learn of his heritage, of the traditions, ceremonies and culture of the Ancestors whose ancient knowledge beat a cacophony in his veins. With quiet desperation he seeks to belong, to live up to a gift he had no knowledge of given to him by a mother he never knew.
But what if there isn't anything left to return to? What if all that remains is a perversion of all that was? What effect will learning what he never wanted to know, about his People, about himself, have on this young man?
As historical fact paints a dark and bloody fictional tale Jackson will come to understand. Completing one circle while initiating another, his journey will end at the beginning and begin at the ending until what he becomes is what he has always been.
A devastating introspective into Native American culture and ceremony, spirituality, humanity and society at large. Revealing the causes and effects of colonialism and manifest destiny.
Full Circle is the untold story of the forgotten children of the Indigenous First Nations of North America. Displaced, discarded, lost between two worlds after three hundred years of occupation. The story of the half-breed, the mix blood, the unaccepted.
Jackson Themal is one of these lost children. Raised in the foster care system away from his People, as a boy becoming a man he loathes what he is devolving into. Surely there must be a better way.
Jackson will learn of his heritage, of the traditions, ceremonies and culture of the Ancestors whose ancient knowledge beat a cacophony in his veins. With quiet desperation he seeks to belong, to live up to a gift he had no knowledge of given to him by a mother he never knew.
But what if there isn't anything left to return to? What if all that remains is a perversion of all that was? What effect will learning what he never wanted to know, about his People, about himself, have on this young man?
As historical fact paints a dark and bloody fictional tale Jackson will come to understand. Completing one circle while initiating another, his journey will end at the beginning and begin at the ending until what he becomes is what he has always been.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
430 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 5, 2012
352 people want to read
About the author
Michael "Hawk" Spisak
4 books38 followersMichael "hawk" Spisak is an activist and author. Influenced by Vine Deloria, Jack Kerouac, Hunter S. Thompson, George Carlin and Aristotle, he regularly upsets the established order and infuriates the religiously convinced. Hawk is a mix blood, Norse/First Nations/Hun, on his own since 13, living life traveling the world. He has seen and done what most never will. After 48 States, almost every Indian Reservation and 13 countries he settled down deep in the forest of southern Illinois with his best friend, S'unka the Superdog.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 31, 2012
one of the best, if not the best, reviews of Full Circle, written by my friend Jim Cortez. To give you an idea of what you are getting into, should you dare to read Full Circle - The End of the Beginning
THE PROMISED LAND
For those of us who live on an Indian Reservation, in my case POW Camp # 322/Pine Ridge SD, the last thing any of us wants to do is read about it. How we are poor and alcoholic and forgotten. How the outside world views us as relics from the past, or how we are spiritual and one with the earth, or we are rich from casinos, or savages who need to be saved by the christians.
No thanks. We have to live it. Survive it every day. Don't need to read about it in anymore books usually written by white men. Or filmed by white men. People who come here twice a year and think they know.
So when Hawk sent me his book, Full Circle, I must admit it sat on my night stand for quite awhile. I really wanted to read it because he is a friend, but every night I would get into bed after a long day of rez life, see the cover, and cringe. "Ugh. I. Just. Can't." I just can't read another damn book full of misrepresentation and sorrow about Indians.
I should have known better. It is Hawk's writing. The introduction alone knocked me out of bed. Wow. Someone who gets it. Someone has finally written the truth.
So I began a journey of words written with such honesty and truth that I could not put it down. This is not just a book about the rez, or indians, or the lies told and lived by residents or visitors. This is a book about revenge. Or redemption, however you choose to look at it.
It is a book about right vs wrong. True history vs the lies and programming white america has been fed for over a century, in an effort to relieve it's collective guilt at what government and christianity has wrought with their greed and genocide. To entire races and cultures of indigenous people.
It is a book that exposes dime store ''medicine men'' who sell ceremony but also explains why, neither condoning nor condemning. It exposes the true hearts of those lost, new age, mostly white, mostly well off soul searchers who come here every summer (never in the winter mind you) feeding off of a culture and spirituality that is long dead to most. They come, they take, they leave. Same old cavalry.
Ah, but the true culture and spirituality is not dead. There are still real medicine men up in the hills. Up that dirt road without a sign. But Betsy and Johnny will never find them. Hawk did. Jackson Themal, the protagonist in the book did. When you find a true Grandma or Grandpa, who has the power and the knowledge of the Ancients, you find a strength and wisdom that lives in your heart and soul forever.
But back to the main theme of the book: Revenge & Redemption. The main character, Jackson, has given his body and mind to the Ancestors, the true meaning of prayer and Lakota Spirituality. Only to be knocked down off that Sundance tree by something else: Greed. The very thing that knocked all Indigenous Peoples from their way of life on this continent.
The author writes about life on and off the rez thru the voice of a half breed in the modern world. Never before has any writer or film maker gotten it so right. So damn right. So honest and true. The struggle of believing, of KNOWING, that this land and this way of life is right, is in your heart, always was and always will be, but the world, indian and non indian, keeps trying to knock it out of you.
He blames religion. He blames the government. He blames a society that is brainwashed by government and religion. He blames plastic medicine men. He blames new age lost soul seekers. He blames himself. Then, he does something about it. He goes on a journey so frightful and dark that the reader cannot help but stay in the car instead of flinging open the passenger side door and jumping out. No, we are all accomplices in this crime. There is no getting out of that car. Not until all the wrongs have been put right. And at the end of the journey, it is the reader, the passenger, that must decide if they have been put right. Revenge or Redemption? You decide.
In true Lakota spirituality, what is above is below. What we do here we do up there. We have another one of us up there sending us what we send them. Prayers, thoughts, actions. Those up there can help us. Jackson's whole life was a prayer. I cannot help but think what he did was right and just. And supported. All is fair in love and war.
This is a dangerous book written by a man who has nothing to lose, who only speaks the truth, and I commend this new voice that dares to speak out.
Lila was'te Hawk. Wopila Tanka.
Hecatuyelo
Jim
Pine Ridge Indian Reservation
American POW Camp # 322
THE PROMISED LAND
For those of us who live on an Indian Reservation, in my case POW Camp # 322/Pine Ridge SD, the last thing any of us wants to do is read about it. How we are poor and alcoholic and forgotten. How the outside world views us as relics from the past, or how we are spiritual and one with the earth, or we are rich from casinos, or savages who need to be saved by the christians.
No thanks. We have to live it. Survive it every day. Don't need to read about it in anymore books usually written by white men. Or filmed by white men. People who come here twice a year and think they know.
So when Hawk sent me his book, Full Circle, I must admit it sat on my night stand for quite awhile. I really wanted to read it because he is a friend, but every night I would get into bed after a long day of rez life, see the cover, and cringe. "Ugh. I. Just. Can't." I just can't read another damn book full of misrepresentation and sorrow about Indians.
I should have known better. It is Hawk's writing. The introduction alone knocked me out of bed. Wow. Someone who gets it. Someone has finally written the truth.
So I began a journey of words written with such honesty and truth that I could not put it down. This is not just a book about the rez, or indians, or the lies told and lived by residents or visitors. This is a book about revenge. Or redemption, however you choose to look at it.
It is a book about right vs wrong. True history vs the lies and programming white america has been fed for over a century, in an effort to relieve it's collective guilt at what government and christianity has wrought with their greed and genocide. To entire races and cultures of indigenous people.
It is a book that exposes dime store ''medicine men'' who sell ceremony but also explains why, neither condoning nor condemning. It exposes the true hearts of those lost, new age, mostly white, mostly well off soul searchers who come here every summer (never in the winter mind you) feeding off of a culture and spirituality that is long dead to most. They come, they take, they leave. Same old cavalry.
Ah, but the true culture and spirituality is not dead. There are still real medicine men up in the hills. Up that dirt road without a sign. But Betsy and Johnny will never find them. Hawk did. Jackson Themal, the protagonist in the book did. When you find a true Grandma or Grandpa, who has the power and the knowledge of the Ancients, you find a strength and wisdom that lives in your heart and soul forever.
But back to the main theme of the book: Revenge & Redemption. The main character, Jackson, has given his body and mind to the Ancestors, the true meaning of prayer and Lakota Spirituality. Only to be knocked down off that Sundance tree by something else: Greed. The very thing that knocked all Indigenous Peoples from their way of life on this continent.
The author writes about life on and off the rez thru the voice of a half breed in the modern world. Never before has any writer or film maker gotten it so right. So damn right. So honest and true. The struggle of believing, of KNOWING, that this land and this way of life is right, is in your heart, always was and always will be, but the world, indian and non indian, keeps trying to knock it out of you.
He blames religion. He blames the government. He blames a society that is brainwashed by government and religion. He blames plastic medicine men. He blames new age lost soul seekers. He blames himself. Then, he does something about it. He goes on a journey so frightful and dark that the reader cannot help but stay in the car instead of flinging open the passenger side door and jumping out. No, we are all accomplices in this crime. There is no getting out of that car. Not until all the wrongs have been put right. And at the end of the journey, it is the reader, the passenger, that must decide if they have been put right. Revenge or Redemption? You decide.
In true Lakota spirituality, what is above is below. What we do here we do up there. We have another one of us up there sending us what we send them. Prayers, thoughts, actions. Those up there can help us. Jackson's whole life was a prayer. I cannot help but think what he did was right and just. And supported. All is fair in love and war.
This is a dangerous book written by a man who has nothing to lose, who only speaks the truth, and I commend this new voice that dares to speak out.
Lila was'te Hawk. Wopila Tanka.
Hecatuyelo
Jim
Pine Ridge Indian Reservation
American POW Camp # 322
April 25, 2013
I found this book to be of a critical nature, socially, spiritually, and morally. This is a view of our country, and people, that we all need to see. A view that has not been expressed in this way, with incredible symbolism, and skill. The force of Jackson's solution was one that drives home the depth of injustices done to the Native Americans. While the book was a fast read...very hard to put down, it is one that demands a great deal of thought. This book is a classic.
March 6, 2013
one of the best, if not the best, reviews of Full Circle, written by my friend Jim Cortez. To give you an idea of what you are getting into, should you dare to read Full Circle - The End of the Beginning
THE PROMISED LAND
For those of us who live on an Indian Reservation, in my case POW Camp # 322/Pine Ridge SD, the last thing any of us wants to do is read about it. How we are poor and alcoholic and forgotten. How the outside world views us as relics from the past, or how we are spiritual and one with the earth, or we are rich from casinos, or savages who need to be saved by the christians.
No thanks. We have to live it. Survive it every day. Don't need to read about it in anymore books usually written by white men. Or filmed by white men. People who come here twice a year and think they know.
So when Hawk sent me his book, Full Circle, I must admit it sat on my night stand for quite awhile. I really wanted to read it because he is a friend, but every night I would get into bed after a long day of rez life, see the cover, and cringe. "Ugh. I. Just. Can't." I just can't read another damn book full of misrepresentation and sorrow about Indians.
I should have known better. It is Hawk's writing. The introduction alone knocked me out of bed. Wow. Someone who gets it. Someone has finally written the truth.
So I began a journey of words written with such honesty and truth that I could not put it down. This is not just a book about the rez, or indians, or the lies told and lived by residents or visitors. This is a book about revenge. Or redemption, however you choose to look at it.
It is a book about right vs wrong. True history vs the lies and programming white america has been fed for over a century, in an effort to relieve it's collective guilt at what government and christianity has wrought with their greed and genocide. To entire races and cultures of indigenous people.
It is a book that exposes dime store ''medicine men'' who sell ceremony but also explains why, neither condoning nor condemning. It exposes the true hearts of those lost, new age, mostly white, mostly well off soul searchers who come here every summer (never in the winter mind you) feeding off of a culture and spirituality that is long dead to most. They come, they take, they leave. Same old cavalry.
Ah, but the true culture and spirituality is not dead. There are still real medicine men up in the hills. Up that dirt road without a sign. But Betsy and Johnny will never find them. Hawk did. Jackson Themal, the protagonist in the book did. When you find a true Grandma or Grandpa, who has the power and the knowledge of the Ancients, you find a strength and wisdom that lives in your heart and soul forever.
But back to the main theme of the book: Revenge & Redemption. The main character, Jackson, has given his body and mind to the Ancestors, the true meaning of prayer and Lakota Spirituality. Only to be knocked down off that Sundance tree by something else: Greed. The very thing that knocked all Indigenous Peoples from their way of life on this continent.
The author writes about life on and off the rez thru the voice of a half breed in the modern world. Never before has any writer or film maker gotten it so right. So damn right. So honest and true. The struggle of believing, of KNOWING, that this land and this way of life is right, is in your heart, always was and always will be, but the world, indian and non indian, keeps trying to knock it out of you.
He blames religion. He blames the government. He blames a society that is brainwashed by government and religion. He blames plastic medicine men. He blames new age lost soul seekers. He blames himself. Then, he does something about it. He goes on a journey so frightful and dark that the reader cannot help but stay in the car instead of flinging open the passenger side door and jumping out. No, we are all accomplices in this crime. There is no getting out of that car. Not until all the wrongs have been put right. And at the end of the journey, it is the reader, the passenger, that must decide if they have been put right. Revenge or Redemption? You decide.
In true Lakota spirituality, what is above is below. What we do here we do up there. We have another one of us up there sending us what we send them. Prayers, thoughts, actions. Those up there can help us. Jackson's whole life was a prayer. I cannot help but think what he did was right and just. And supported. All is fair in love and war.
This is a dangerous book written by a man who has nothing to lose, who only speaks the truth, and I commend this new voice that dares to speak out.
Lila was'te Hawk. Wopila Tanka.
Hecatuyelo
Jim
Pine Ridge Indian Reservation
American POW Camp # 322
please follow the link below to read earlier reviews posted. eventually all reviews will be posted on this page. thank you.
michael "hawk" spisak
http://www.amazon.com/Full-Circle-Mic...
THE PROMISED LAND
For those of us who live on an Indian Reservation, in my case POW Camp # 322/Pine Ridge SD, the last thing any of us wants to do is read about it. How we are poor and alcoholic and forgotten. How the outside world views us as relics from the past, or how we are spiritual and one with the earth, or we are rich from casinos, or savages who need to be saved by the christians.
No thanks. We have to live it. Survive it every day. Don't need to read about it in anymore books usually written by white men. Or filmed by white men. People who come here twice a year and think they know.
So when Hawk sent me his book, Full Circle, I must admit it sat on my night stand for quite awhile. I really wanted to read it because he is a friend, but every night I would get into bed after a long day of rez life, see the cover, and cringe. "Ugh. I. Just. Can't." I just can't read another damn book full of misrepresentation and sorrow about Indians.
I should have known better. It is Hawk's writing. The introduction alone knocked me out of bed. Wow. Someone who gets it. Someone has finally written the truth.
So I began a journey of words written with such honesty and truth that I could not put it down. This is not just a book about the rez, or indians, or the lies told and lived by residents or visitors. This is a book about revenge. Or redemption, however you choose to look at it.
It is a book about right vs wrong. True history vs the lies and programming white america has been fed for over a century, in an effort to relieve it's collective guilt at what government and christianity has wrought with their greed and genocide. To entire races and cultures of indigenous people.
It is a book that exposes dime store ''medicine men'' who sell ceremony but also explains why, neither condoning nor condemning. It exposes the true hearts of those lost, new age, mostly white, mostly well off soul searchers who come here every summer (never in the winter mind you) feeding off of a culture and spirituality that is long dead to most. They come, they take, they leave. Same old cavalry.
Ah, but the true culture and spirituality is not dead. There are still real medicine men up in the hills. Up that dirt road without a sign. But Betsy and Johnny will never find them. Hawk did. Jackson Themal, the protagonist in the book did. When you find a true Grandma or Grandpa, who has the power and the knowledge of the Ancients, you find a strength and wisdom that lives in your heart and soul forever.
But back to the main theme of the book: Revenge & Redemption. The main character, Jackson, has given his body and mind to the Ancestors, the true meaning of prayer and Lakota Spirituality. Only to be knocked down off that Sundance tree by something else: Greed. The very thing that knocked all Indigenous Peoples from their way of life on this continent.
The author writes about life on and off the rez thru the voice of a half breed in the modern world. Never before has any writer or film maker gotten it so right. So damn right. So honest and true. The struggle of believing, of KNOWING, that this land and this way of life is right, is in your heart, always was and always will be, but the world, indian and non indian, keeps trying to knock it out of you.
He blames religion. He blames the government. He blames a society that is brainwashed by government and religion. He blames plastic medicine men. He blames new age lost soul seekers. He blames himself. Then, he does something about it. He goes on a journey so frightful and dark that the reader cannot help but stay in the car instead of flinging open the passenger side door and jumping out. No, we are all accomplices in this crime. There is no getting out of that car. Not until all the wrongs have been put right. And at the end of the journey, it is the reader, the passenger, that must decide if they have been put right. Revenge or Redemption? You decide.
In true Lakota spirituality, what is above is below. What we do here we do up there. We have another one of us up there sending us what we send them. Prayers, thoughts, actions. Those up there can help us. Jackson's whole life was a prayer. I cannot help but think what he did was right and just. And supported. All is fair in love and war.
This is a dangerous book written by a man who has nothing to lose, who only speaks the truth, and I commend this new voice that dares to speak out.
Lila was'te Hawk. Wopila Tanka.
Hecatuyelo
Jim
Pine Ridge Indian Reservation
American POW Camp # 322
please follow the link below to read earlier reviews posted. eventually all reviews will be posted on this page. thank you.
michael "hawk" spisak
http://www.amazon.com/Full-Circle-Mic...
July 31, 2013
Full Circle was a very interesting read. It would be best to start reading this with an open mind. It has always seemed like historians left out a big gap when it comes to the Natives. So what happened to them? Did they die out or were they driven off to other lands, maybe they killed each other off as it is a common belief that they were wild savages. What people need to understand is that they were human too, they had their own culture and traditions, their own way of life. But everything, even their homeland was taken away from them for ‘their own good’. The sad remains of an entire race is now shunned and hated, pushed to a corner and put through every kind of terrible ordeal imaginable.
I think the author needs to improve his writing style though. The story was a bit unclear, losing its focus at times. It felt like he forgot what he was trying to prove by writing this book. It became more of a fantasy revenge at a point.
In the end I gave it 3 stars because despite its faults, it's a book written to make a difference which in itself is a great feat.
I received an ebook copy of the book from Mr.Michael Spisak in exchange for an honest review
I think the author needs to improve his writing style though. The story was a bit unclear, losing its focus at times. It felt like he forgot what he was trying to prove by writing this book. It became more of a fantasy revenge at a point.
In the end I gave it 3 stars because despite its faults, it's a book written to make a difference which in itself is a great feat.
I received an ebook copy of the book from Mr.Michael Spisak in exchange for an honest review
May 20, 2013
This book is very thought provoking , it will make you think! It took me a while to read it because I wanted to absorb all the material. A very well written , based on fact, that will make you cringe with horror at the treatment of Native Americans, now and in the past. It will bring you to tears at times. I loved learning about the Native culture and some of the rituals that take place. I have read about and know about the horrible way they have been treated but I never thought about it as much as I do now. It makes me proud to have Indian blood, yet realize that does not make me an Indian. It is the culture, the purity of trying to sustain this culture even now. so many Indians are living in poverty on reservations and it is wrong. This is , and in my heart always will be, their country, their place of birth, long before any so called Americans arrived and took what was theirs. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to know the truth, if you can handle the truth. Bravo, Michael! The book was excellent! It should be a must read for high schools reading list, let them hear both sides of the story and decide for themselves who they believe. I believe in this book , in the story and in the way it was told. I would give it more stars if I could. Take the time to read this, it will be well worth it. I received this book through Goodreads , from the author to give an honest review. Well this is honest, our treatment of Native Americans should make us ashamed of our ancestors.
March 12, 2013
This book was one of the most interesting and absorbing books that I have read in a long, long time. This is a book about a guy, Jackson, who is just trying to figure out who he is and where he came from. Through his spiritual journey with several American Indian groups, he meets many people and learns many thins. He participates in several rituals that go back to his ancestors time. At the end he truly does come Full Circle in his life.
There is some graphic language and description, but this is overall one of the best books to pass a rainy day, snowy day, or just a mental health day. I curled up with my Kindle and cats and lost myself in this book. I couldn't wait to see what Jackson would learn next or what his journey would reveal to him. Make sure to order your copy of Full Circle right away!
There is some graphic language and description, but this is overall one of the best books to pass a rainy day, snowy day, or just a mental health day. I curled up with my Kindle and cats and lost myself in this book. I couldn't wait to see what Jackson would learn next or what his journey would reveal to him. Make sure to order your copy of Full Circle right away!
May 21, 2013
Full Circle: The End of the Beginning is the best book I have read in a long time. The longest and perhaps the best introduction that I have read. Michael "Hawk" Spisak tells an amazing story of the young man Jackson's life and ritual experiences. He weaves into it pieces of Native American history and U.S. government policy of usurping this land and it's resources.
This book is a combination of First Nation living, (past and present), Jackson"s story, sharp commentary on society,and a downright gripping thriller. It has a solid ringing sound of unheard truths that should be appreciated by all. I highly recommend it!
This book is a combination of First Nation living, (past and present), Jackson"s story, sharp commentary on society,and a downright gripping thriller. It has a solid ringing sound of unheard truths that should be appreciated by all. I highly recommend it!
January 16, 2014
Socially important because they don't teach these things in school, but it's a bit hard to tell where the historical fact leaves off and the fiction begins. Not a happy or satisfying book in the end and a bit rough around the edges as far as editing, but worth reading. Don't look for any "noble Indian" stuff here because they seem to be a thing of the past. The Native Americans are now as broken as any of us. :(
July 24, 2013
I received this book from the author in exchange for a review.
The author, Michael Hawk Spisak describes Full Circle: The End of the Beginning as a devastating introspective into Native American culture and ceremony, spirituality, humanity, and society at large. The story is told from the perspective of Jackson Thermal, a white/Native American mixed blood.
In his acknowledgement, the author is intentionally banal and hoping to "piss off" and "offend" his readers. This is followed by a 12-page introduction that I would describe as an angry diatribe that presents biased opinion as the absolute truth that the reader is too misguided to have previously known. If the author's extremist views haven't "pissed" you off at this point, you might be tempted to continue reading this book. The introduction did northing to make me care about the author's point of view or give me reason to accept the veracity of his statements, and his story did nothing to make me care about his characters or what happens to them.
There are many reasons I didn't enjoy reading this book:
The plot rambles disjointedly--from a spiritual gathering in which Jackson participates but seems to think has become insincere to disjointed conversations with the one person Jackson seems to think is worthy of his respect. The angry internal conversations and commentary become tiresome. It wasn't clear how Jackson and his varied companions, who seem to be unemployed, are able to afford their cross-country travel, endless cigarettes let alone food. Most of the characters are underdeveloped and their motivation and involvement is unclear.
There were too many grammatical and typographical errors throughout the book. The title was misspelled on the copy of the book I received.
In an effort to make Jackson's life pitiable, the author overplayed his backstory. Instead of sticking with one or two bad childhood experiences (i.e., abusive foster parents), the author throws in so many horrible events that it becomes unbelievable. After reading about Jackson abusing alcohol, mistreating animals and using women as a result of his unfortunate childhood, I had hope that Jackson and the story would redeem itself by becoming a hero's journey. I had hoped that there would be a tie into the spiritual event at the beginning of the book--like Jackson was going to overcome his trials. Sadly, the I then met Mandy, one of the women Jackson uses. Mandy, describes Jackson as "a borderline sociopath with a severe case of PTSD, fueled by homicidal tendencies." Mandy was right. Jackson's true path is only to systematically and sadistically exact revenge for atrocities committed as Europeans began colonizing the Americas.
While I understand the author’s point of view, the angry, biased presentation of his message didn’t enlighten me or inspire me to research the topic more. There are many good books about Imperialism and the impact on Native Americans that I would recommend over this work of fiction.
***this review was done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. For more information regarding our reviews please visit the fansite: www.Facebook.com/NerdGirl.ng***
The author, Michael Hawk Spisak describes Full Circle: The End of the Beginning as a devastating introspective into Native American culture and ceremony, spirituality, humanity, and society at large. The story is told from the perspective of Jackson Thermal, a white/Native American mixed blood.
In his acknowledgement, the author is intentionally banal and hoping to "piss off" and "offend" his readers. This is followed by a 12-page introduction that I would describe as an angry diatribe that presents biased opinion as the absolute truth that the reader is too misguided to have previously known. If the author's extremist views haven't "pissed" you off at this point, you might be tempted to continue reading this book. The introduction did northing to make me care about the author's point of view or give me reason to accept the veracity of his statements, and his story did nothing to make me care about his characters or what happens to them.
There are many reasons I didn't enjoy reading this book:
The plot rambles disjointedly--from a spiritual gathering in which Jackson participates but seems to think has become insincere to disjointed conversations with the one person Jackson seems to think is worthy of his respect. The angry internal conversations and commentary become tiresome. It wasn't clear how Jackson and his varied companions, who seem to be unemployed, are able to afford their cross-country travel, endless cigarettes let alone food. Most of the characters are underdeveloped and their motivation and involvement is unclear.
There were too many grammatical and typographical errors throughout the book. The title was misspelled on the copy of the book I received.
In an effort to make Jackson's life pitiable, the author overplayed his backstory. Instead of sticking with one or two bad childhood experiences (i.e., abusive foster parents), the author throws in so many horrible events that it becomes unbelievable. After reading about Jackson abusing alcohol, mistreating animals and using women as a result of his unfortunate childhood, I had hope that Jackson and the story would redeem itself by becoming a hero's journey. I had hoped that there would be a tie into the spiritual event at the beginning of the book--like Jackson was going to overcome his trials. Sadly, the I then met Mandy, one of the women Jackson uses. Mandy, describes Jackson as "a borderline sociopath with a severe case of PTSD, fueled by homicidal tendencies." Mandy was right. Jackson's true path is only to systematically and sadistically exact revenge for atrocities committed as Europeans began colonizing the Americas.
While I understand the author’s point of view, the angry, biased presentation of his message didn’t enlighten me or inspire me to research the topic more. There are many good books about Imperialism and the impact on Native Americans that I would recommend over this work of fiction.
***this review was done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. For more information regarding our reviews please visit the fansite: www.Facebook.com/NerdGirl.ng***
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews