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Him Standing
When a Native carver agrees to produce a spirit mask for a mysterious stranger, he falls under the spell of a dangerous sorcerer from the dream world.
70 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
8 people are currently reading
592 people want to read
About the author
Richard Wagamese
26 books1,572 followersRichard Wagamese was one of Canada's foremost Native authors and storytellers. He worked as a professional writer since 1979. He was a newspaper columnist and reporter, radio and television broadcaster and producer, documentary producer and the author of twelve titles from major Canadian publishers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
October 19, 2019
Now this would make great reading for Halloween!
Lucas Smoke is a gifted carver. He is descended from a long line of carvers in his Ojibway tribe.
When Lucas is commissioned to carve a specific spirit mask, little does he know that the mysterious client is plotting to unleash and harness for himself the evil powers that the mask will summon. Lucas begins to have frightening visions and dreams. A sense of doom grows as the mask nears completion. Only with the help of his girlfriend does Lucas manage to step back from the edge of demonic possession. This was a great read!
Lucas Smoke is a gifted carver. He is descended from a long line of carvers in his Ojibway tribe.
When Lucas is commissioned to carve a specific spirit mask, little does he know that the mysterious client is plotting to unleash and harness for himself the evil powers that the mask will summon. Lucas begins to have frightening visions and dreams. A sense of doom grows as the mask nears completion. Only with the help of his girlfriend does Lucas manage to step back from the edge of demonic possession. This was a great read!
October 30, 2016
A very quick read. (No wonder it's part of the Rapid Reads set!) but nonetheless a very good one to zip through.
I saw it as a sensitive exploration of the place of aboriginal youth in our society: struggling somewhere between fitting in with modern times and hanging on to the values of the ancestors. How does one handle the push/pull of those two seemingly disparate ideologies? It is also a subtle exploration of the place of the artist in the world: from whence do these visions come and how does the artist handle them once they are lodged in the mind?
I saw it as a sensitive exploration of the place of aboriginal youth in our society: struggling somewhere between fitting in with modern times and hanging on to the values of the ancestors. How does one handle the push/pull of those two seemingly disparate ideologies? It is also a subtle exploration of the place of the artist in the world: from whence do these visions come and how does the artist handle them once they are lodged in the mind?
March 7, 2016
A fun, quick read.
I think Wagamese's Ojibway background shows quite a bit in this. Many elements of the story remind me of hallmarks of other First Nations legends/stories. I guess you have to read a lot of them to really get a feel for them.
I liked that the Big Bad Guy's name was Him Standing. That really tickled me for some reason.
My favourite part of this book, though, was more about me. In reading this, I finally twigged to the fact that it is simply an accepted fact of First Nations Magic Realism that one can and will be visited by the dead in one's dreams. For many years now, I have enjoyed these sorts of visits, but only now have I realised this is a particularly First Nations trait that I possess. I didn't even know! But I'm happy to know it now.
Goodnight ;-)
I think Wagamese's Ojibway background shows quite a bit in this. Many elements of the story remind me of hallmarks of other First Nations legends/stories. I guess you have to read a lot of them to really get a feel for them.
I liked that the Big Bad Guy's name was Him Standing. That really tickled me for some reason.
My favourite part of this book, though, was more about me. In reading this, I finally twigged to the fact that it is simply an accepted fact of First Nations Magic Realism that one can and will be visited by the dead in one's dreams. For many years now, I have enjoyed these sorts of visits, but only now have I realised this is a particularly First Nations trait that I possess. I didn't even know! But I'm happy to know it now.
Goodnight ;-)
November 22, 2014
Another in Orca's Rapid Reads series, Wagamese delivers a novella drawing from his own rich Ojibwa heritage, this time sketching the story of a wood carver commissioned to carve a mask. The story which unfolds is a classic power-play between dark and light, good and evil, in this case of a dark shaman who wishes to resurrect an evil shaman of old.
Guided by an Ojibwa elder, the carver discovers the power of his own ancestors, and a way to defeat the emergence of an ancient and destructive power.
Again, a bit naive in its delivery, and with a definite feeling of being rushed through the story, I felt Wagamese was unable to deliver his usual rich world-building and story-telling ability.
Still, a good read, and one which would certainly appeal to a younger audience.
Guided by an Ojibwa elder, the carver discovers the power of his own ancestors, and a way to defeat the emergence of an ancient and destructive power.
Again, a bit naive in its delivery, and with a definite feeling of being rushed through the story, I felt Wagamese was unable to deliver his usual rich world-building and story-telling ability.
Still, a good read, and one which would certainly appeal to a younger audience.
April 14, 2017
This is a Rapid Read as the top corner suggests. A short, little adventure. This one is to a novel as a TV show is to a movie. It was enjoyable but leaves me wanting a little more. A writer we recently lost, too soon.
August 22, 2017
Always good to read about the light overcoming the dark in these dark times, especially when told by a master storyteller.
January 25, 2018
Although this book was a "Rapid Read" it packed a lot more in between its pages than other verbose tomes.
February 27, 2023
This was such a cozy read!
The main thing I loved about this book was the lore and the intricacies of Ojibwe culture. The information and stories we’re given about the dream world, magic, good and bad medicine, and shamans in general were so intriguing.
My only gripe is that the dialogue was a little simplistic at time. The subtlety unfortunately ran a little thin.
The worst thing about this book is the fact that it’s so short! This was a perfect start to my reading Richard Wagamese’s works.
The main thing I loved about this book was the lore and the intricacies of Ojibwe culture. The information and stories we’re given about the dream world, magic, good and bad medicine, and shamans in general were so intriguing.
My only gripe is that the dialogue was a little simplistic at time. The subtlety unfortunately ran a little thin.
The worst thing about this book is the fact that it’s so short! This was a perfect start to my reading Richard Wagamese’s works.
January 9, 2024
3.5
No sabía de la existencia pero estaba en la lista de recomendaciones de un reto lector que estoy haciendo y decidí darle la oportunidad, que grata sorpresa me lleve. Disfruté bastante de la historia, la forma de escritura del autor y el narrador del audiolibro hizo un excelente trabajo.
No sabía de la existencia pero estaba en la lista de recomendaciones de un reto lector que estoy haciendo y decidí darle la oportunidad, que grata sorpresa me lleve. Disfruté bastante de la historia, la forma de escritura del autor y el narrador del audiolibro hizo un excelente trabajo.
December 27, 2024
Such a brilliant indigenous story. A definite must read!
April 5, 2013
I recently learned that Orca Book Publishers has a line of books that they call 'Rapid Reads'. These are shorter stories, both fiction and non-fiction, that are both shorter in length and easier to read. The target readers are ESL students, people with lower level reading skills, those who want a one night read. I feel they would also be a great choice for people who are having trouble focusing, perhaps due to an extended illness. At present there are 29 adults titles available. Him Standing by Richard Wagamese is the first I have read.
Lucas Smoke is just 20 years old, yet he has the carving skills of much more experienced artist. When he holds a piece of wood in his hand, he can see his subject within it. He feels that he is making a good living by carving the images of people along the boardwalk. He learned much of his art by watching his grandfather carve spirit masks, which were highly sought by collectors.
Undoubtedly he would have continued carving people, except that fateful day when Gareth Knight stopped on the boardwalk to challenge Lucas to a particularly difficult commission.
This story was non-stop action right from the first page where we learn that Lucas is a nature, perhaps even a savant at his craft. It continues a a brisk pace and kept my attention for every minute. And yes, I did read it through in one evening. Even though this book is rated at a grade 2.8 level, it still have sufficient detail and was a complex enough story to keep me interested.
Lucas Smoke is just 20 years old, yet he has the carving skills of much more experienced artist. When he holds a piece of wood in his hand, he can see his subject within it. He feels that he is making a good living by carving the images of people along the boardwalk. He learned much of his art by watching his grandfather carve spirit masks, which were highly sought by collectors.
Undoubtedly he would have continued carving people, except that fateful day when Gareth Knight stopped on the boardwalk to challenge Lucas to a particularly difficult commission.
This story was non-stop action right from the first page where we learn that Lucas is a nature, perhaps even a savant at his craft. It continues a a brisk pace and kept my attention for every minute. And yes, I did read it through in one evening. Even though this book is rated at a grade 2.8 level, it still have sufficient detail and was a complex enough story to keep me interested.
October 24, 2018
This novella has one of the most delightfully creepy covers I've seen in recent years. A quick glance at the premise--a young Ojibway man carver is asked to make a spirit mask by a mysterious stranger, with possibly dire consequences--and I was in.
Him standing is one of those stories that doesn't surprise in any way, but it achieves everything it sets out to do, making the time you spend with the amiable and slightly goofy protagonist Lucas Smoke perfectly enjoyable. Smoke's ability to capture a person's likeness, their essential essence, in wood attracts the attention of a vaguely menacing stranger who conscripts him to make a spirit mask for what turns out to be a Very Bad Reason. Hijinks follow involving shaman both good and evil, alive and not-exactly-alive, the dream world and more.
Richard Wagamese does a nice job of capturing the voice of Smoke, a charming, uncomplicated man whose core decency is as much a part of what saves him as is his ability to tap into mystical abilities he never knew he had. While his fight against the stranger--identified later as Gareth Knight, a modern-day shaman, is predictable, it's a fun little ride, peppered with quirky touches, like Knight's apparent obsession with different hats.
Him Standing is a solid read that does justice to its subject matter without descending into hokum.
Him standing is one of those stories that doesn't surprise in any way, but it achieves everything it sets out to do, making the time you spend with the amiable and slightly goofy protagonist Lucas Smoke perfectly enjoyable. Smoke's ability to capture a person's likeness, their essential essence, in wood attracts the attention of a vaguely menacing stranger who conscripts him to make a spirit mask for what turns out to be a Very Bad Reason. Hijinks follow involving shaman both good and evil, alive and not-exactly-alive, the dream world and more.
Richard Wagamese does a nice job of capturing the voice of Smoke, a charming, uncomplicated man whose core decency is as much a part of what saves him as is his ability to tap into mystical abilities he never knew he had. While his fight against the stranger--identified later as Gareth Knight, a modern-day shaman, is predictable, it's a fun little ride, peppered with quirky touches, like Knight's apparent obsession with different hats.
Him Standing is a solid read that does justice to its subject matter without descending into hokum.
December 13, 2014
Lucas Smoke learned the art of carving from his grandfather and finds that his hands seem to move of their own volition to carve figures that he sees in everyday life…. but when he learned the art of carving, his grandfather didn’t teach him the deeper meanings behind his craft, the knowledge that would keep him safe from exploitation.
When Lucas’ grandfather dies, his family wars over the man’s possessions leaving Lucas feeling uncomfortable since all he wanted was his grandfather, not his possessions. Lucas leaves the reserve and decides to busk in the city, using his gifts at carving to make some money by carving images of tourists on the boardwalk. When he is approached by a man who offers him a substantial amount of money to carve masks as his grandfather does, Lucas can’t pass up the opportunity to get himself out of a situation of poverty and agrees. He quickly learns that he is being exploited and that his mask carving, meant to “bring a legend to life” is bringing something into the world that he would rather not invite.
If you would like to read a longer version of this review, you check it out at http://speculatingcanada.ca/2014/11/1...
When Lucas’ grandfather dies, his family wars over the man’s possessions leaving Lucas feeling uncomfortable since all he wanted was his grandfather, not his possessions. Lucas leaves the reserve and decides to busk in the city, using his gifts at carving to make some money by carving images of tourists on the boardwalk. When he is approached by a man who offers him a substantial amount of money to carve masks as his grandfather does, Lucas can’t pass up the opportunity to get himself out of a situation of poverty and agrees. He quickly learns that he is being exploited and that his mask carving, meant to “bring a legend to life” is bringing something into the world that he would rather not invite.
If you would like to read a longer version of this review, you check it out at http://speculatingcanada.ca/2014/11/1...
July 29, 2013
Lucas Smoke is sad when his grandfather dies but knows his memory stays alive in the Ojibway art of wood carving that his grandfather taught him. Lucas’s grandfather was skilled at making native spirit masks, while Lucas’s talent is in recreating people’s faces through small, intricate carvings that are amazingly life-like. When a mysterious stranger dressed in black offers Lucas an exorbitant amount of money to carve a spirit mask, Lucas unknowingly endangers his own life. The spirit mask Lucas is carving begins weakening Lucas’s own strength and increasing a dark shaman’s strength. Can Lucas figure out what’s really happening before it’s too late?
This typical Rapid Reads novel for reluctant readers will hold students’ attention due to the interesting plot and increasing tension. This book’s reading level is 2.8.
This typical Rapid Reads novel for reluctant readers will hold students’ attention due to the interesting plot and increasing tension. This book’s reading level is 2.8.
September 19, 2016
It's a good story, powerful--Wagamese knows how to craft a story, draw you into the spell. Seems like an authentic indigenous voice, told in first person, and a likeable character. Healthy relationships portrayed in his love & repect for his grandfather and now with his girlfriend, and then with the glass artist they come to know. Much of the story deals with the spirit world, though, some of it scary, some amazing, some kind of confusing. I think a native person would hear it speak loud & clear, but I don't 'get' it; also feel strongly that there's definitely a spirit world there but that I want to stay away from it.
April 5, 2013
Loved it - this is one of Orca's Rapid Reads novels and Richard Wagamese has done a fine job in crafting a riveting teen novel that explores in a totally accessible way so many of the themes that we'd expect from this master of contemporary First Nations writing - it's got an interesting take on Ojibway spirituality, culture and loss of language as well as the key role that community, family and relationships work in the lives of contemporary Ojibway peoples not to mention a wicked supernatural twist!
April 18, 2013
Him Standing by Richard Wagamese
I blew through this short story during lunch hour. The premise of the tale held me until the very end. Although it is a quick read, it is one steeped in Ojibway culture where every detail is priceless. The seemingly never ending nightmare our hero experiences is frightening to anyone that enjoys lucid dreams. Where we understand little but appreciate the subtleties, you have to ask: who is sending the message? Definitely worth the time to discover interesting myths and legends from the “old ones.”
I blew through this short story during lunch hour. The premise of the tale held me until the very end. Although it is a quick read, it is one steeped in Ojibway culture where every detail is priceless. The seemingly never ending nightmare our hero experiences is frightening to anyone that enjoys lucid dreams. Where we understand little but appreciate the subtleties, you have to ask: who is sending the message? Definitely worth the time to discover interesting myths and legends from the “old ones.”
Read
January 11, 2016Life is okay for Lucas Smoke: he's making some money doing wood carvings on the boardwalk and he has met a nice girl who seems to like him.
His talent with carving gains the attention of a mysterious stranger and, all of a sudden, life is not okay anymore.
Recommended for reluctant readers.
His talent with carving gains the attention of a mysterious stranger and, all of a sudden, life is not okay anymore.
Recommended for reluctant readers.
December 2, 2016
This was a very quick read - only 129 short pages. While not my favourite writing of Richard Wagamese, true to his style is the story within a story. Lack of character development was replaced with a tale of good overcoming evil and the importance of living a balanced life - that is, when you are cloaked in too much darkness, you must bathe yourself in light.
April 11, 2018
A quick and easy read, which probably meant that there was not a lot of time for nuance. It was interesting to have a story about a Native person written by a Native person that draws on Native culture. The plot was a bit predictable and cliche, as was the baddie, but again there wasn't a lot of nuance.
June 2, 2013
This was a fine little book (really a short story). It was suspenseful and interesting, but very simple in plot and writing. It's like an early-reader chapter book for adults. I think it accomplished what it set out to do.
March 6, 2016
A lovely quick read, and gripping story. I think I would have enjoyed it even more drawn out as a longer story
(this was a specific quick-read novel)
I'm going to see if my son would enjoy it as well :)
(this was a specific quick-read novel)
I'm going to see if my son would enjoy it as well :)
October 18, 2016
What a perfect little powerful book.
"She smiled. 'There are always people who seek to help others find their way.' 'That's what a shaman does?' I asked. 'What about the magic?' 'That is the magic,' she said. I believed her "
"She smiled. 'There are always people who seek to help others find their way.' 'That's what a shaman does?' I asked. 'What about the magic?' 'That is the magic,' she said. I believed her "
March 12, 2018
A beautifully told tale of magic and strength through the eyes of one of my favourite authors. With elements of traditional teachings and storytelling of the Ojibway people, this made for an enjoyable, quick read.
April 15, 2018
This is a quick read but an excellent young adolescent novel that is appropriate for middle grades! Wagamese tells the story of light and dark spirits and how one young man learns the importance of his art through a battle between light and dark.
July 15, 2013
Rapid Reads-liked the Ojibway story of good vs. evil.
June 18, 2016
A quick, interesting read. Great for reluctant readers. It weaves a magical First Nations tale into a modern setting.
December 27, 2016
Great, fast read. I love this author.
May 7, 2017
Loved this shorter story. Didn't expect it to be a thriller. And it certainly was thrilling.
Reminiscent of Wicked Something This Way Comes.
Reminiscent of Wicked Something This Way Comes.
September 18, 2018
A novella type book about facing your fears and remembering and living as your ancestors did.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews