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A Grandmother Begins the Story: A Novel
From award-winning Métis author Michelle Porter, a powerfully funning and moving story told not just by five generations of Métis women, but also by the land, the bison that surround them, and two utterly captivating dogs.
Carter is a young mother on a quest to find the true meaning of her heritage, which she only learned of in her teens. Allie is trying to make up for the lost years with her first born and to protect Carter from the hurt she herself suffered from her own mother. Lucie wants the granddaughter she's never met to help her get to her ancestors in the afterlife. And Geneviève is determined to conquer her demons—before the fire inside burns her up—with the help of the sister she lost but has never been without. Meanwhile, Mamé, in the afterlife, knows that all their stories began with her; she must find a way to cut herself from the last threads that keep her tethered to the living, just as they must find their own paths forward. And a young bison wants to understand why he keeps being moved and whether he should make a break for it and run for his life.
This extraordinary novel, told by a chorus of vividly realized, wise, confused, struggling characters attempting to make sense of this life and the next, heralds the arrival of a stunning new voice in literary fiction.
Carter is a young mother on a quest to find the true meaning of her heritage, which she only learned of in her teens. Allie is trying to make up for the lost years with her first born and to protect Carter from the hurt she herself suffered from her own mother. Lucie wants the granddaughter she's never met to help her get to her ancestors in the afterlife. And Geneviève is determined to conquer her demons—before the fire inside burns her up—with the help of the sister she lost but has never been without. Meanwhile, Mamé, in the afterlife, knows that all their stories began with her; she must find a way to cut herself from the last threads that keep her tethered to the living, just as they must find their own paths forward. And a young bison wants to understand why he keeps being moved and whether he should make a break for it and run for his life.
This extraordinary novel, told by a chorus of vividly realized, wise, confused, struggling characters attempting to make sense of this life and the next, heralds the arrival of a stunning new voice in literary fiction.
332 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 7, 2023
357 people are currently reading
27092 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Porter
29 books117 followersMICHELLE PORTER is the descendent of a long line of Métis storytellers. Many of her ancestors told stories using music and today she tells stories using the written word. She holds degrees in Journalism, Folklore, English, and a PhD in Geography. Her academic research and creative work focus on home, memory, and women’s changing relationships with the land.
Her book A Grandmother Begins the Story: A Novel will be published November 7, 2023.
Her most recent book, Scratching River, a memoir exploring the meaning of her Métis heritage through her older brother’s life story, was published by Wilfrid Laurier Press in April 2022. She’s also published a book of creative nonfiction about her great-grandfather, a fiddler from the Red River, called Approaching Fire (shortlisted for the Indigenous Voices Award 2021) and a book of poetry, Inquiries, (shortlisted for the Pat Lowther Memorial Award). Michelle has won numerous awards for her poetry and journalism and her work has been published in literary journals and magazines across the country. Currently she is teaching creative writing and Métis Literature at Memorial University. She is a member of the Manitoba Métis Federation and she lives in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador.
Her book A Grandmother Begins the Story: A Novel will be published November 7, 2023.
Her most recent book, Scratching River, a memoir exploring the meaning of her Métis heritage through her older brother’s life story, was published by Wilfrid Laurier Press in April 2022. She’s also published a book of creative nonfiction about her great-grandfather, a fiddler from the Red River, called Approaching Fire (shortlisted for the Indigenous Voices Award 2021) and a book of poetry, Inquiries, (shortlisted for the Pat Lowther Memorial Award). Michelle has won numerous awards for her poetry and journalism and her work has been published in literary journals and magazines across the country. Currently she is teaching creative writing and Métis Literature at Memorial University. She is a member of the Manitoba Métis Federation and she lives in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 591 reviews
March 25, 2024
4.5⭐️
A Grandmother Begins the Story by Michelle Porter is an evocative novel that will stay with you long after you have finished reading. A multigenerational family saga that follows five Métis women, whose distinct voices tell a poignant tale of generational trauma, neglect, abuse, loss, grief, broken relationships, resilience, identity and legacy. Interspersed throughout the narrative are the perspectives of canine friends and the story of a bison calf and her offspring both of which enrich the narrative, emphasizing the deep connection between all living beings, those we have lost and the world we inhabit.
Carter, a recently separated mother of one, is struggling to pick up the pieces when she hears from her maternal grandmother Lucie, whom she never met. Lucie requests her assistance to pass on to the Afterlife. Given up for adoption by her biological mother, Allie, with whom she has recently reconnected, Carter has a strained relationship with her adoptive mother and is intrigued by her grandmother’s request. We also meet the aging Genevieve, haunted by her memories and unable to let go of her deceased sibling in whose presence and influence she finds the strength to rebuild her life despite her failing health after a lifetime of loss and addiction. Mamé, observes all of her descendants from the Afterlife and strives to move on from her connections to the living world but knows that she also has a part to play to enable all these women to move on from the trauma they have individually endured and all that is holding them back from a brighter future.
“It’s not about me, not anymore. It’s not like that. Up here the stories are us and we are the stories, every single one of them. Took me a long time to make my way here and now it’s almost my turn to be the stories—or to tell the stories, as we used to say before we passed.”
Beautifully written and thought-provoking with a blend of lore and magical realism, this is an immersive, albeit slower-paced novel. Initially, the narrative might seem a tad disjointed, but the author deftly weaves the multiple threads of this story into a coherent narrative. Each of these characters and their stories will strike a chord in your heart. Please note that this is an emotionally heavy read touching upon several sensitive topics, including the death of a loved one, abuse, addiction and domestic violence, among others.
Overall, I found this novel to be a compelling read that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to those who would be interested in character-driven indigenous fiction. This was my first time reading Michelle Porter, but it surely won't be my last.
Finally, that cover art deserves all the stars!
“But regret is worth nothing because you can’t be walking all the paths or you wouldn’t be walking any path at all."
Many thanks to Algonquin Books for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. A Grandmother Begins the Story was published on November 07, 2023.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
A Grandmother Begins the Story by Michelle Porter is an evocative novel that will stay with you long after you have finished reading. A multigenerational family saga that follows five Métis women, whose distinct voices tell a poignant tale of generational trauma, neglect, abuse, loss, grief, broken relationships, resilience, identity and legacy. Interspersed throughout the narrative are the perspectives of canine friends and the story of a bison calf and her offspring both of which enrich the narrative, emphasizing the deep connection between all living beings, those we have lost and the world we inhabit.
Carter, a recently separated mother of one, is struggling to pick up the pieces when she hears from her maternal grandmother Lucie, whom she never met. Lucie requests her assistance to pass on to the Afterlife. Given up for adoption by her biological mother, Allie, with whom she has recently reconnected, Carter has a strained relationship with her adoptive mother and is intrigued by her grandmother’s request. We also meet the aging Genevieve, haunted by her memories and unable to let go of her deceased sibling in whose presence and influence she finds the strength to rebuild her life despite her failing health after a lifetime of loss and addiction. Mamé, observes all of her descendants from the Afterlife and strives to move on from her connections to the living world but knows that she also has a part to play to enable all these women to move on from the trauma they have individually endured and all that is holding them back from a brighter future.
“It’s not about me, not anymore. It’s not like that. Up here the stories are us and we are the stories, every single one of them. Took me a long time to make my way here and now it’s almost my turn to be the stories—or to tell the stories, as we used to say before we passed.”
Beautifully written and thought-provoking with a blend of lore and magical realism, this is an immersive, albeit slower-paced novel. Initially, the narrative might seem a tad disjointed, but the author deftly weaves the multiple threads of this story into a coherent narrative. Each of these characters and their stories will strike a chord in your heart. Please note that this is an emotionally heavy read touching upon several sensitive topics, including the death of a loved one, abuse, addiction and domestic violence, among others.
Overall, I found this novel to be a compelling read that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to those who would be interested in character-driven indigenous fiction. This was my first time reading Michelle Porter, but it surely won't be my last.
Finally, that cover art deserves all the stars!
“But regret is worth nothing because you can’t be walking all the paths or you wouldn’t be walking any path at all."
Many thanks to Algonquin Books for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. A Grandmother Begins the Story was published on November 07, 2023.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
July 10, 2023
A Grandmother Begins the Story follows five generations of Métis women managing their traumas and trying to heal from them.
Carter, a young mother, wants to reconnect with her heritage. Allie wants to get to know her daughter and protect her from her own mother. Lucie tries to get her granddaughter, whom she’s never met, to help her die. Geneviève wants to overcome her alcoholism before it’s too late. And Mamé is in the Afterlife torn between ensuring her descendants are okay and letting them go.
There are also some ancient canine and bison perspectives, which are equally compelling and heart-wrenching.
The characters are so well-crafted that it is not difficult to keep track of them, even though there are many. Each character’s chapter was as riveting as the next. If I had to choose my favourite POVs, they would be Carter, Dee, and Geneviève. The characters feel fully realized as if they could walk off the page and start a chat with you.
The chapters are more like vignettes, from half a page to several pages.
Themes include colonialism, generational trauma, grief, life, death, and family.
This novel is beautifully written and entirely captivating. I could have read an additional three-hundred pages of it. It is emotional and moving but also ripe with Native humour.
Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for sending a finished copy to review.
https://booksandwheels.com
Carter, a young mother, wants to reconnect with her heritage. Allie wants to get to know her daughter and protect her from her own mother. Lucie tries to get her granddaughter, whom she’s never met, to help her die. Geneviève wants to overcome her alcoholism before it’s too late. And Mamé is in the Afterlife torn between ensuring her descendants are okay and letting them go.
There are also some ancient canine and bison perspectives, which are equally compelling and heart-wrenching.
The characters are so well-crafted that it is not difficult to keep track of them, even though there are many. Each character’s chapter was as riveting as the next. If I had to choose my favourite POVs, they would be Carter, Dee, and Geneviève. The characters feel fully realized as if they could walk off the page and start a chat with you.
The chapters are more like vignettes, from half a page to several pages.
Themes include colonialism, generational trauma, grief, life, death, and family.
This novel is beautifully written and entirely captivating. I could have read an additional three-hundred pages of it. It is emotional and moving but also ripe with Native humour.
Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for sending a finished copy to review.
https://booksandwheels.com
August 21, 2023
This was the most beautiful, powerful, captivating, mystical book I have ever, EVER read! I find it impossible to review by describing what happens. I don’t know how I could do that. I’ve been wracking my brain to think of something to say that won’t ruin it for readers, but I can’t. I mean, you can read the synopsis if you like but, really, this is the kind of story that each person should experience individually. I suppose I could try using a metaphor. O.K., think of it as a story that begins as a seedling. It germinates and grows until it’s ready to sprout. As its growth continues, it might take the shape of a plant you recognize, or it could mutate slightly to transform itself into something that’s unexpected. This plant will probably make you smile BIG. And you might absolutely LOVE this plant, including every single petal it grows!
That probably didn’t work, but here’s the absolute truth… If I could, I would give a copy of this book to every single one of my Goodreads friends because it’s indescribably fantastic!! After reading it, you might want to talk to others about it or, like me, keep it all to yourself because it’s just so bloody AMAZING you’ll want to wrap yourself up in it!! It could be the kind of book that comes along only once in a blue moon. And you won’t want to miss it.
⭐∞⭐“All the stars in the night sky”⭐∞⭐
That probably didn’t work, but here’s the absolute truth… If I could, I would give a copy of this book to every single one of my Goodreads friends because it’s indescribably fantastic!! After reading it, you might want to talk to others about it or, like me, keep it all to yourself because it’s just so bloody AMAZING you’ll want to wrap yourself up in it!! It could be the kind of book that comes along only once in a blue moon. And you won’t want to miss it.
⭐∞⭐“All the stars in the night sky”⭐∞⭐
February 27, 2025
3.5 stars
There are so many beautiful passages in this novel connecting the stories of five generations of Métis women, but I have mixed feelings about it overall. We don’t just get the points of view of these women, one of whom is speaking from the afterlife, but also bison and dogs so there is some suspension of disbelief that had to take place for me. Heavy themes of alcoholism, abandonment , grief, abuse , terminal illness are reflected in the alternating segments from these characters. There were times when I just didn’t feel like this was cohesive enough to me . It took me a while to get into the flow it. I discovered that February is Indigenous Storytelling Month so I’m glad I read it for the importance of the storytelling itself as well as the beautiful , poetic writing.
“ Storytelling is a means of cultural transmission, a way of passing down our histories and cultures. But not all stories have to be so purposeful, or contain deep meaning. For many families, the stories are more personal. This is a way to share family history; milestones that are celebratory or sorrowful. It is a way to make people feel they belong to a family and a community and to remember those who have gone before us.”
Karon Shmon, Director, GDI Culture & Heritage writes of Métis storytelling.
I received a copy of this book from Algonquin Books through NetGalley.
There are so many beautiful passages in this novel connecting the stories of five generations of Métis women, but I have mixed feelings about it overall. We don’t just get the points of view of these women, one of whom is speaking from the afterlife, but also bison and dogs so there is some suspension of disbelief that had to take place for me. Heavy themes of alcoholism, abandonment , grief, abuse , terminal illness are reflected in the alternating segments from these characters. There were times when I just didn’t feel like this was cohesive enough to me . It took me a while to get into the flow it. I discovered that February is Indigenous Storytelling Month so I’m glad I read it for the importance of the storytelling itself as well as the beautiful , poetic writing.
“ Storytelling is a means of cultural transmission, a way of passing down our histories and cultures. But not all stories have to be so purposeful, or contain deep meaning. For many families, the stories are more personal. This is a way to share family history; milestones that are celebratory or sorrowful. It is a way to make people feel they belong to a family and a community and to remember those who have gone before us.”
Karon Shmon, Director, GDI Culture & Heritage writes of Métis storytelling.
I received a copy of this book from Algonquin Books through NetGalley.
July 12, 2023
Some parts were very strong but most of the time it seemed like a bunch of anecdotes that were only mildly interesting and a whole lot about boobs for some reason.
Neutral 2.5 rounded up.
Neutral 2.5 rounded up.
January 20, 2024
Buffalo Gals
Review of the Algonquin Books hardcover edition (November 7, 2023).
I wish I had loved this more, especially after the glowing 5-star reviews from GR Friends Jodi and ShirleyNature. Partly it was the confusion of the five generations of women told in very brief vignettes and trying to sort out who is who. Be sure to read the synopsis first and you’ll likely have less confusion with that (I had plunged right in without it). The human stories were interspersed with those of dogs and buffalos. Then it gets into magic realism, with women either turning into buffalos or perhaps reincarnated as buffalos. You just gotta roll with it.
I was also (perhaps unnecessarily) somewhat distressed about the possible fates of the animals involved, especially when they’re portrayed as anthropomorphic (i.e. thinking like humans). Dogs are abandoned at the kennel/pound and I kept wondering if they would be euthanized. The buffalos are subject to possible hunting or other deprivations. Most of those situations turned out reasonably well, but the tension of it was with me throughout. I have a tendency to really turn on a book when it seems animals are unnecessarily exploited. That wasn’t the case here, but I was dreading it for the longest time.
Still, the ambition and the sheer scope of it makes it a 4-star read regardless. My enjoyment of the associated music (see below) being a huge bump-up factor.
Soundtrack
I had the most fun on the soundtrack for this book, searching for various versions of the Red River Jig, the tune & dance which is mentioned throughout the novel. My favourites were the one with Derek Dick (dance) and Caitlin Armstrong (fiddle) and the Instruction Video at the Surrey Fusion Festival.
Review of the Algonquin Books hardcover edition (November 7, 2023).
I wish I had loved this more, especially after the glowing 5-star reviews from GR Friends Jodi and ShirleyNature. Partly it was the confusion of the five generations of women told in very brief vignettes and trying to sort out who is who. Be sure to read the synopsis first and you’ll likely have less confusion with that (I had plunged right in without it). The human stories were interspersed with those of dogs and buffalos. Then it gets into magic realism, with women either turning into buffalos or perhaps reincarnated as buffalos. You just gotta roll with it.
I was also (perhaps unnecessarily) somewhat distressed about the possible fates of the animals involved, especially when they’re portrayed as anthropomorphic (i.e. thinking like humans). Dogs are abandoned at the kennel/pound and I kept wondering if they would be euthanized. The buffalos are subject to possible hunting or other deprivations. Most of those situations turned out reasonably well, but the tension of it was with me throughout. I have a tendency to really turn on a book when it seems animals are unnecessarily exploited. That wasn’t the case here, but I was dreading it for the longest time.
Still, the ambition and the sheer scope of it makes it a 4-star read regardless. My enjoyment of the associated music (see below) being a huge bump-up factor.
Soundtrack
I had the most fun on the soundtrack for this book, searching for various versions of the Red River Jig, the tune & dance which is mentioned throughout the novel. My favourites were the one with Derek Dick (dance) and Caitlin Armstrong (fiddle) and the Instruction Video at the Surrey Fusion Festival.
December 8, 2023
Five stars isn’t enough. I’d give this book an entire night sky. The writing knocked me over and the characters (human, animal, earth, and car) broke my heart open. I don’t really have words to describe this book, but the lump in my throat feels like, “achingly beautiful” would be a start. I’ll read again and again.
June 28, 2023
So I wasn’t sure how to review this boo because there are so many things about it that I can’t fully capture, my best words for this review would be: read it.
It took me a little longer to finish this book, and partly due to the format of it. Each page/ few pages is dedicated to a separate story line of a character in the book. Porter does a fantastic job of giving the characters rich lives, emotions, actions and choices. But the format can feel funky at first. The best way to approach this is that the book is a compilation of short stories dedicated to characters that are all related. It’s wonderful, it’s fresh — don’t worry if you feel overwhelmed with keeping up with what is happening, just read each page and enjoy what is being said. You don’t need to stress about constantly tying back to what has happened.
The ending of this book (no spoilers) was alive. I finished this book on a beach surrounded by people I love and suddenly I found myself crying over the end. I was shocked, and I partially unprepared for its ending. By the time I made it to the ending, I became invested. I had strong feelings because Porter just does a magnificent job of portraying such visceral emotion. I’m still yearning for another 10 pages.
I finished the book and suddenly this burst of life hit me, and I can’t say I had ever felt this way about a book. Everything around me was beautiful, tainted by the words that were still imprinted in my mind.
If you are looking for a book that brings every inch of you to life, read this. I am so much better than I was before I read this book.
It took me a little longer to finish this book, and partly due to the format of it. Each page/ few pages is dedicated to a separate story line of a character in the book. Porter does a fantastic job of giving the characters rich lives, emotions, actions and choices. But the format can feel funky at first. The best way to approach this is that the book is a compilation of short stories dedicated to characters that are all related. It’s wonderful, it’s fresh — don’t worry if you feel overwhelmed with keeping up with what is happening, just read each page and enjoy what is being said. You don’t need to stress about constantly tying back to what has happened.
The ending of this book (no spoilers) was alive. I finished this book on a beach surrounded by people I love and suddenly I found myself crying over the end. I was shocked, and I partially unprepared for its ending. By the time I made it to the ending, I became invested. I had strong feelings because Porter just does a magnificent job of portraying such visceral emotion. I’m still yearning for another 10 pages.
I finished the book and suddenly this burst of life hit me, and I can’t say I had ever felt this way about a book. Everything around me was beautiful, tainted by the words that were still imprinted in my mind.
If you are looking for a book that brings every inch of you to life, read this. I am so much better than I was before I read this book.
May 25, 2024
As the title makes clear, this story begins with a grandmother ... then it continues with daughters, mothers, sisters, bison, dogs and the earth itself ... oh, and a car... as narrators. It's unlike anything I've read before and I'm honestly not sure about it. I was so confused at first; then I sort of caught the story (and the confusing connections between the narrators - human, animal and planet). Then, it sort of dissolved again at the end.
The writing is gorgeous, often poetry instead of prose. There were plenty of moments of honesty and heartbreak and enlightenment. I appreciated the folklore style story-telling for what it was, especially in this story of the disintegration of native lands and families, but I never got the chance to fall in love with these many generations of women because the shifts were so frequent. And dogs as narrators is just not for me. The bison sections worked better for me as the parallel to the human story was so clear.
I'm certainly not sorry I read it but I might enjoy this author more in short story format than a full novel.
The writing is gorgeous, often poetry instead of prose. There were plenty of moments of honesty and heartbreak and enlightenment. I appreciated the folklore style story-telling for what it was, especially in this story of the disintegration of native lands and families, but I never got the chance to fall in love with these many generations of women because the shifts were so frequent. And dogs as narrators is just not for me. The bison sections worked better for me as the parallel to the human story was so clear.
I'm certainly not sorry I read it but I might enjoy this author more in short story format than a full novel.
June 19, 2023
This incredible debut novel told through a series of interconnected short micro stories tells the history of five generations of Metis women.
Richly characterized and deeply moving we learn about these different women, their families and even at times the buffalo themselves who were so tied to the history of Indigenous culture and society.
Celebrating their joys, sorrows, traumas and so much more, this is a completely unique literary feat that was EXCELLENT on audio read by a full cast of narrators including sound effects and musical accompaniment.
Highly recommended on audio and perfect for fans of books like Stories of Metis women by Bailey Oster. This book is hard to describe and really just needs to be experienced to be fully appreciated.
Richly characterized and deeply moving we learn about these different women, their families and even at times the buffalo themselves who were so tied to the history of Indigenous culture and society.
Celebrating their joys, sorrows, traumas and so much more, this is a completely unique literary feat that was EXCELLENT on audio read by a full cast of narrators including sound effects and musical accompaniment.
Highly recommended on audio and perfect for fans of books like Stories of Metis women by Bailey Oster. This book is hard to describe and really just needs to be experienced to be fully appreciated.
January 20, 2024
An emotionally rich, imaginative series of vignettes that capture the struggles and reflections of five generations of Métis women and the animals that inhabit their ancestral land. Weaving tradition and modernity, past and present, life and death, A Grandmother Begins the Story is a poignant look into generational trauma, forgiveness, and facing one’s own mortality, one’s place in the world. A tribute to stories, memories, and the never ending cycles of death and rebirth, this uniquely formatted narrative gives insight from the land, the people, the animals, the dreams, reeling from colonialism and erasure, aching to find secure footing, holding dear what has been taken. Ambitious, heartfelt, and with a resounding note of resilience, this novel is a triumph of the art of passing down secrets, visions, love.
May 26, 2023
First drawn in by the cover, A Grandmother Begins the Story by Michelle Porter is a beautiful story that is quietly powerful, begging to be read again and again.
Meet the Goulet family. They are a Métis family known for their music and jigging. The story takes readers on a multigenerational journey, and we become privy to hardships endured and connected traumas. Told from multiple perspectives, it does contain content relating to death, grief, alcohol and drug use, and suicide.
Porter’s writing left me filled with charm and wonder. A character-driven novel, Porter beautifully portrays the voices of each Goulet woman in various stages of life. I also adore how she includes the voices of the animals and the land around them. I loved the bison and the many voices who contributed to this beautiful story.
Thank you to Netgalley, Penguin Random House Canada, and Viking for an eARC in exchange for my honest review!
Meet the Goulet family. They are a Métis family known for their music and jigging. The story takes readers on a multigenerational journey, and we become privy to hardships endured and connected traumas. Told from multiple perspectives, it does contain content relating to death, grief, alcohol and drug use, and suicide.
Porter’s writing left me filled with charm and wonder. A character-driven novel, Porter beautifully portrays the voices of each Goulet woman in various stages of life. I also adore how she includes the voices of the animals and the land around them. I loved the bison and the many voices who contributed to this beautiful story.
Thank you to Netgalley, Penguin Random House Canada, and Viking for an eARC in exchange for my honest review!
January 9, 2024
3.5**
Knowing absolutely nothing about the Métis, I am now a fan of their unique storytelling capabilities, and wow, what an introduction! Michelle Porter has this uncanny, riveting style that blends so many different points of view - from dogs, buffalo, grass, and cars, to great-great grandmothers who are in heaven playing the fiddle in a dance hall while keeping an eye on their families, to an alcoholic great mother who checks herself into a rehab while she read tarot cards to her fellow friends trying to get sober. There’s parents who gave their kids up for adoption, and then those kids who got screwed over from their adoptive families. There’s death and dying, living, and the tightly held familial bonds, albeit dysfunctional, that is the glue that holds them together through generations. There’s nature and beauty, destruction and healing - all the makings of an unforgettable novel.
Knowing absolutely nothing about the Métis, I am now a fan of their unique storytelling capabilities, and wow, what an introduction! Michelle Porter has this uncanny, riveting style that blends so many different points of view - from dogs, buffalo, grass, and cars, to great-great grandmothers who are in heaven playing the fiddle in a dance hall while keeping an eye on their families, to an alcoholic great mother who checks herself into a rehab while she read tarot cards to her fellow friends trying to get sober. There’s parents who gave their kids up for adoption, and then those kids who got screwed over from their adoptive families. There’s death and dying, living, and the tightly held familial bonds, albeit dysfunctional, that is the glue that holds them together through generations. There’s nature and beauty, destruction and healing - all the makings of an unforgettable novel.
September 11, 2023
This was SO GOOD. I'm going to read this again and make sure that I have the physical book along with the audio one!
December 24, 2023
Such an unexpected multifaceted tale – immersive haunting and lyrical, a multi-generational saga of resilient Métis women, their stories and songs, as well as enchanting interactions of the land with a charismatic bison, some heavy realism, shapeshifting magical-realism, and liminal interactions between the living & the dead. And be ready for a few vividly sexy-spicy scenes with one of the strong women in this novel!
The audio is performed by a full cast of readers! This is the fiction debut for the Métis-born author and I look forward to her future work.
The audio is performed by a full cast of readers! This is the fiction debut for the Métis-born author and I look forward to her future work.
May 20, 2023
Too many stories going on at once. I’m not a fan of that. Felt myself skipping over some. Loved the stories from Dell, Perkins, and Lottery. Loved that they were animals. Overall good, just not for me.
August 16, 2023
just not for me tbh i kind of read it so fast because i knew if i didnt i would never finish it because of how boring i found it 1.5
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August 19, 2024This book was clearly a passion project.
And I know...all books are passion projects. Obviously.
But some books stem out of the authors personal need for that story, and this is clearly that. I'm glad this book exists. It's beautifully written and cleverly put together. Porter had a vision and she delivered. Did I lose myself in it and fully understand it? No.
I have put this on my list of books to reread in the future. I think that future me (with more experience and life behind me) will enjoy this more than present me.
And I know...all books are passion projects. Obviously.
But some books stem out of the authors personal need for that story, and this is clearly that. I'm glad this book exists. It's beautifully written and cleverly put together. Porter had a vision and she delivered. Did I lose myself in it and fully understand it? No.
I have put this on my list of books to reread in the future. I think that future me (with more experience and life behind me) will enjoy this more than present me.
September 22, 2023
Wow. How to rate this book?!!! At moments 2 ⭐️ and others 5 ⭐️. The stories of incredible Metis women were inspiring. Narrators were also bison, prairie grass, dogs and a car! Love how things wove together eventually.
I really struggled with the style of writing/narration at the beginning. Could not get my head wrapped around what was going on. Maybe more books should be like that? So we get uncomfortable with the discomfort. I just leaned in for the ride and I’m so glad I did.
I really struggled with the style of writing/narration at the beginning. Could not get my head wrapped around what was going on. Maybe more books should be like that? So we get uncomfortable with the discomfort. I just leaned in for the ride and I’m so glad I did.
July 19, 2023
The women in this book are interesting characters, but I feel the author did them short shrift by dumping the reader in what was the end of their lives. Each one of these women would have made a great book telling their lives, rather than just hinting at things that are never really explained.
November 11, 2023
Full cast audio plus magical storytelling made for a truly amazing experience.
November 6, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
A Grandmother Begins the Story by Michelle Porter
I don't know if I can adequately convey just how hauntingly beautiful this book is. This is not a one-and-done kinda book. It is a tale to be read over and over at different times of your life, taking something else from its pages each time.
"A Grandmother Begins the Story follows five generations of women and bison as they reach for the stories that could remake their worlds and rebuild their futures."
With emotional prose, Michelle Porter draws us into the lives of the Goulet Métis women and the spiritual bison. Their longing for connection and forgiveness mingles with their inability to see their worthiness for love. Through their journeys, Porter shows us the hardest person to forgive is often ourselves.
A Grandmother Begins the Story would be perfect for your next book club, and I can't wait to give it a permanent place on my shelves.
Read this if you like:
• Multiple storylines
• Books that make you think
• Indigenous stories
Release date is Nov 7! Many thanks to @netgalley and @algonquinbooks for the eARC!
A Grandmother Begins the Story by Michelle Porter
I don't know if I can adequately convey just how hauntingly beautiful this book is. This is not a one-and-done kinda book. It is a tale to be read over and over at different times of your life, taking something else from its pages each time.
"A Grandmother Begins the Story follows five generations of women and bison as they reach for the stories that could remake their worlds and rebuild their futures."
With emotional prose, Michelle Porter draws us into the lives of the Goulet Métis women and the spiritual bison. Their longing for connection and forgiveness mingles with their inability to see their worthiness for love. Through their journeys, Porter shows us the hardest person to forgive is often ourselves.
A Grandmother Begins the Story would be perfect for your next book club, and I can't wait to give it a permanent place on my shelves.
Read this if you like:
• Multiple storylines
• Books that make you think
• Indigenous stories
Release date is Nov 7! Many thanks to @netgalley and @algonquinbooks for the eARC!
January 5, 2024
Rating 3.5
Overall, I enjoyed the book. I really loved how the other was able to change her “voice” with each character. I didn’t have any trouble following the different stories and loved seeing how all of them, even the ones with the animals, were woven together by the end.
I was a bit put off by the singular “chapter” with the sex scene…the details of the actions felt inappropriate and the author could have left the details of the sexual encounter out. But, I do understand the need for this section to show more about the character’s life…just feel it could have been accomplished with a less graphic description. I would recommend this book, but with a warning about sexual content.
I would definitely read another of her books, as I really enjoyed her writing and hearing from an “own voices” author.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. I really loved how the other was able to change her “voice” with each character. I didn’t have any trouble following the different stories and loved seeing how all of them, even the ones with the animals, were woven together by the end.
I was a bit put off by the singular “chapter” with the sex scene…the details of the actions felt inappropriate and the author could have left the details of the sexual encounter out. But, I do understand the need for this section to show more about the character’s life…just feel it could have been accomplished with a less graphic description. I would recommend this book, but with a warning about sexual content.
I would definitely read another of her books, as I really enjoyed her writing and hearing from an “own voices” author.
August 8, 2023
Libby audiobook - if you want a "full cast" audiobook, this is the one for you. There were 16 narrators giving voice and life to the characters. Good story and quite the listening experience 👍
January 11, 2024
Lovely, melodic read from an Indigenous author about generations upon generations of Native women in one family. But don’t let that scare you: this is not some sweeping, epic, decades-spanning novel. Instead, Michelle Porter combines these women’s stories into one cohesive, relative quick narrative told by a lively chorus of voices.
Carter’s biological grandmother, whom she’s never met, wants Carter’s help to die by suicide. Mame is in the afterlife, the spirit world, desperately seeking her daughters. Genevieve checks herself into rehab so that she can die with dignity. A bison calf in a pasture becomes pregnant. As we bounce between these and more stories, Métis lore reveals itself as does the complexity of these characters. While there are no perfect endings, we are left with a sense of life for these modern Métis women and the deep ties that run through them.
This won’t be for everyone! With the bouncing POVs and the slow, subtle plot, it might not be the page-turner you’re wanting to kick off the reading year. But it’s super beautiful and a minority perspective we don’t see much of in mainstream lit fic, so maybe worth a shot!
Carter’s biological grandmother, whom she’s never met, wants Carter’s help to die by suicide. Mame is in the afterlife, the spirit world, desperately seeking her daughters. Genevieve checks herself into rehab so that she can die with dignity. A bison calf in a pasture becomes pregnant. As we bounce between these and more stories, Métis lore reveals itself as does the complexity of these characters. While there are no perfect endings, we are left with a sense of life for these modern Métis women and the deep ties that run through them.
This won’t be for everyone! With the bouncing POVs and the slow, subtle plot, it might not be the page-turner you’re wanting to kick off the reading year. But it’s super beautiful and a minority perspective we don’t see much of in mainstream lit fic, so maybe worth a shot!
November 7, 2023
This book captures the familial bonds of five generations of Indigenous women.
Punctuated by slice-of-life moments, it is about who gets to tell the stories. The characters, whose lives are imprinted by the colonialism, deal with their own pain - they are volatile and long for comfort. There are transitions between life and the spirit world, which some desire to move on while others in afterlife still care for the living ones.
Each POV stands on its own, delivering different heaviness and the way they tie themselves to old feelings is shown with vulnerability. Even though the voices often are not distinct enough, which can be challenging to get invested into the story, they build a bigger picture of how one views the world.
People's emotions are interwoven with animal's instincts, revealing that nature and people belong together. The animal's POV allows one to discover a new voice and a cross between them offers an interesting meditation on time, healing and forgiveness. Throughout the story, Porter unapologetically examines death, not in a macabre way, but as a natural life's course.
Imaginative and with rigid prose, A GRANDMOTHER BEGINS THE STORY is an original novel that blends tenderness and toughness. If you're looking for a story about struggling characters holding on to the land and descendants, you might enjoy this book.
[ I received an ARC from the publisher - Algonquin books . All opinions are my own ]
Punctuated by slice-of-life moments, it is about who gets to tell the stories. The characters, whose lives are imprinted by the colonialism, deal with their own pain - they are volatile and long for comfort. There are transitions between life and the spirit world, which some desire to move on while others in afterlife still care for the living ones.
Each POV stands on its own, delivering different heaviness and the way they tie themselves to old feelings is shown with vulnerability. Even though the voices often are not distinct enough, which can be challenging to get invested into the story, they build a bigger picture of how one views the world.
People's emotions are interwoven with animal's instincts, revealing that nature and people belong together. The animal's POV allows one to discover a new voice and a cross between them offers an interesting meditation on time, healing and forgiveness. Throughout the story, Porter unapologetically examines death, not in a macabre way, but as a natural life's course.
Imaginative and with rigid prose, A GRANDMOTHER BEGINS THE STORY is an original novel that blends tenderness and toughness. If you're looking for a story about struggling characters holding on to the land and descendants, you might enjoy this book.
[ I received an ARC from the publisher - Algonquin books . All opinions are my own ]
December 17, 2025
Incredible storytelling in a novel that follows five generations of women of a Metis family as well as multiple generations of bison as they struggle with identity, grief, addiction, forgiveness, and generational trauma resulting from colonization and genocide. Despite the heavy themes, there is humor and beauty and a belief in the possibility of a better present/future. My favorite chapters were those told from the perspectives of the nonhumans, including Bets the car! I highly recommend listening to the audiobook, which has excellent performances by a full cast.
December 7, 2025
Beautiful concept and story.
November 27, 2024
listened to the audiobook which had a cast of like 16 people and was so good
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