Not from Here: A Memoir

by Allan Johnson

When Allan Johnson asked his dying father where he wanted his ashes to be placed, his father replied--without hesitation--that it made no difference to him at all. In his poignant, powerful memoir, Not from Here, Johnson embarks on an extraordinary, 2,000-mile journey across the Upper Midwest and Northern Plains to find the place where his father's ashes belonged. As a white man with Norwegian and English lineage, Johnson explores both America and the question of belonging to a place whose history holds the continuing legacy of the displacement, dispossession, and genocide of Native peoples. More than a personal narrative, Not from Here illuminates the national silence around unresolved questions of accountability, race, and identity politics, and the dilemma of how to take responsibility for "a past we did not create." Johnson's story--about the past living in the present; of redemption, fate, family, tribe, and nation; of love and grief--raises profound questions about belonging, identity, and place.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction

193 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 12, 2015

Reviews

[Carmen Blankenship · Rating 4 out of 5]

A deeply personal journey of grief, family, and self reflection. Allan Johnson's writing was at time lyrical. I have lost both of parents in the last few years so a lot of the emotions expressed struck a deep chord.

The lossAllan G Johnson's father leads him on an important journey through his history and begs the questions of where home truly is. Profound and thought-provoking.

[Deena Metzger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not only an exquisitely crafted memoir of a son seeking a place for his father’s ashes. This is not only an exploration of the right relationship between the living and the dead, the ethical and emotional responsibilities we have to each other. This is also a heartbreaking and exact investigation of the ways our ancestors call us into the vortex of history, demanding that we confront and respond to the deeds done, the harm wreaked on the land and the Native people who were here before us. How we bury our dead requires us also to unearth the harm done and to bring healing to the line that must recognize and include all our relations. A profound text from a beautiful soul.

[Margo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written memoir of identity and place, how they have become so interconnected and how they define who we think we are, and who we'd like to be. A definite recommended read.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Allan is on a quest to find the perfect place for his father's ashes. His father told him it didn't matter at all where his ashes went. To Allen, this just wasn't good enough. He sets out to find the perfect place for his father's ashes. Not From Here is his quest and reflections on where home might be for someone who traveled throughout his life.

I think this memoir was well written. Allan asks all the important questions in his journey. Is one place better then another? Who really owns the land we call home? It was so moving to see him try to understand the man born of immigrants on land that was not rightfully there's to own. He goes off on a tangent about territory rights for Native Americans. He carries the guilt of his people, (whites in America), acquiring the land they called home in shameful ways. He goes through the history of the land and talks about it honestly. He tries to trace his father's history, even going so far as to find the place he was born. It was an interesting journey for a man in his 60s. His desperation to figure out where to place his father's ashes was palpable.

The problem with this memoir that will be felt by some readers, is that it moves very slowly. Life doesn't happen too fast for someone in Allan shoes. Also, Allan rambles a bit. This isn't a very long story and I finished it in two sittings. I felt like this will not appeal to everyone. I enjoyed most of this book. It was somewhat captivating to me, but my interest in family heritage and memoirs as a genre might have made me a bit bias. At some points I forgot the quest entirely and just went along with the journey. I think the last line really sums it up perfectly for me. I left this book feeling good about life, can't really ask for more than that from a memoir.

[Mae · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book. The writing is excellent, but it is directed at a specific audience. Middle aged, white, grieving, or contemplative men will see themselves and the search for identity here. Well written and interesting, I would most use the work contemplative to describe it. The writing is reminiscent of Frost in its imagery. I think the connections that readers make to this book will be individual and private; but deep and interesting.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

"He is always examining concepts and feelings from multiple angles-fully embracing the complexity of lived experience and the ways that the dead and the living are interconnected."
read more: http://likeiamfeasting.blogspot.gr/20...

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rambles too much but a good introspective read about trying to reconcile past and present.