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Beginnings: The Homeward Journey of Donovan Manypenny
The Homeward Journey of Donovan Manypenny is the story of Donovan Manypenny. Raised by his grandparents on a northern Wisconsin Ojibwe reservation until their passing when he is ten years old, he becomes a ward of the state of Wisconsin and enters the child welfare system – foster care, children’s home, and adoption. The trauma he experiences as a result of losing his grandparents and way of life leads him to put his past behind him for over forty-three years. Then at the age of fifty-three, events in his life take him back to his childhood home, retracing the historical westward migration of his Ojibwe ancestors. Heartfelt and bittersweet, and layered with meaning, The Homeward Journey of Donovan Manypenny will resonate with anyone who longs to make the journey home, wherever that may be, as well those who seek or have experienced cultural or spiritual awakening, and healing.
- GenresFiction
188 pages, Paperback
Published November 20, 2018
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71 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 29, 2019
3.5 stars
When I first started this book I found myself deeply emotional. There was quite a bit I could relate to. Thomas Peacock (Fond du Lac Ojibwe) writes about Ojibwe life in a way that feels real. The teachings in this book and its structure are similar to stories elders will tell. In that way, I found great value in this book.
From an objective standpoint, I found myself struggling to engage for a large portion of the second half of this novel. Donovan's story felt somewhat stilted, perhaps a bit too repetitive. The descriptions of characters passing through were (for lack of a better word) dull, sometimes rubbing me the wrong way (Ramona's descriptors and most of her part in this story felt entirely unnecessary and a bit uncomfortable). I really wanted to like this a lot more than I actually did.
Still, if you're looking for a book holding OJibweness at it cores, this one is worth the read. The beginning and end are incredibly wonderful and really emphasize the importance of home and going home for Indigenous people, even after decades spent away. Importantly, Donovan Manypenny's story teaches those listening that being Ojibwe (and Anishinaabe and Indigenous more broadly) are things we carry within us as Ojibweg. Home is there and who we are is inside of us always. It only takes time and effort to start that journey back to mino-bimaadiziwin.
When I first started this book I found myself deeply emotional. There was quite a bit I could relate to. Thomas Peacock (Fond du Lac Ojibwe) writes about Ojibwe life in a way that feels real. The teachings in this book and its structure are similar to stories elders will tell. In that way, I found great value in this book.
From an objective standpoint, I found myself struggling to engage for a large portion of the second half of this novel. Donovan's story felt somewhat stilted, perhaps a bit too repetitive. The descriptions of characters passing through were (for lack of a better word) dull, sometimes rubbing me the wrong way (Ramona's descriptors and most of her part in this story felt entirely unnecessary and a bit uncomfortable). I really wanted to like this a lot more than I actually did.
Still, if you're looking for a book holding OJibweness at it cores, this one is worth the read. The beginning and end are incredibly wonderful and really emphasize the importance of home and going home for Indigenous people, even after decades spent away. Importantly, Donovan Manypenny's story teaches those listening that being Ojibwe (and Anishinaabe and Indigenous more broadly) are things we carry within us as Ojibweg. Home is there and who we are is inside of us always. It only takes time and effort to start that journey back to mino-bimaadiziwin.
November 24, 2025
Donovan Manypenny, an Ojibwe from Red Cliff, Wisconsin, has had some tragedy and some joy in his life. He's had some bad luck and some good luck. Left an orphan by his mother's death, his grandparents have taken him into their home. They are kind and loving, but when Donovan is ten, first his grandmother dies, then his grandfather. Bad luck and good luck continue to follow Donovan for a brief time, with good luck and joy winning out. But Donovan ends up living over a thousand miles away from his Ojibwe people of Red Cliff.
With the first sentence of his story, he tells us, "For over forty years I forgot I was native, Anishinaabe Ojibwe . . . ." In Massachusetts he has been content with his life as a teacher, happy in his marriage, and proud of his daughter. Then his daughter pleads with him to attend a Native American event combining storytelling and Native crafts. Something awakens in Donovan and he begins his homeward journey, taking his time along the way to visit places important to his Ojibwe people. Beautifully written, Thomas Peacock's slender novel is a quiet, contemplative meditation of the meaning of belonging and family and of coming home to the place you were eventually meant to be.
With the first sentence of his story, he tells us, "For over forty years I forgot I was native, Anishinaabe Ojibwe . . . ." In Massachusetts he has been content with his life as a teacher, happy in his marriage, and proud of his daughter. Then his daughter pleads with him to attend a Native American event combining storytelling and Native crafts. Something awakens in Donovan and he begins his homeward journey, taking his time along the way to visit places important to his Ojibwe people. Beautifully written, Thomas Peacock's slender novel is a quiet, contemplative meditation of the meaning of belonging and family and of coming home to the place you were eventually meant to be.
June 24, 2019
This book came perilously close to going over my 100-page limit to engage me, which is especially serious with a short book. I did not take to the first person, memoir-style of this novel but the promise of the story kept me reading. So, 4 stars! Why? Donovan's encounter with an elder when he actually begins his homeward journey changed the tenor of the narrative and his time with Ramona gave it impetus. Donovan's memories, musings, and emotional forays become more compelling rather than trite. An intriguing recounting of a cultural tradition as well as a revelation of the universality of the human yearning for place and meaning.
March 17, 2019
This is a quick read, only 167 pages, but full of life, love and hope for Donovan and his family as he recovers his Ojibwe identity and home. The author is a teacher and there is a history of Ojibwe migration and language gently woven through the story and defining its chapters. I found this to be emotionally rich and satisfying on many levels. I chose it based on a review in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, 11/21/18. Review: 'Beginnings: The Homeward Journey of Donovan Manypenny,' by Thomas D. Peacock: http://strib.mn/2ONihxM
June 10, 2023
Where you are a Ojibwe or not; a native or non-native you can always find your way home. Beginnings may be your inspiration. Even if you aren’t interested in the journey, this is a wonderful and worthwhile book to read. I really wish I had bought the second, Walking Softly, when I bought this one from Thomas D Peacock himself. I would love to see him again because I have a lot of questions. I see a car trip coming.
March 4, 2025
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I live in Duluth and used to spend a lot of time in the Red Cliff area with my Grandpa. So, I may not have related fully with Donovan, but there were so many instances I felt myself in his shoes. I was captivated.
My main critique for this book is most of the POV is from Donovan, but there was 2 or 3 random POV from others that didn't really feel needed or add to the story.
My main critique for this book is most of the POV is from Donovan, but there was 2 or 3 random POV from others that didn't really feel needed or add to the story.
April 25, 2019
Homecoming story focused on an Ojibwe man returning to his birthplace on Wisconsin's Lake Superior shoreline. I felt lost at times as a reader but overall the subject matter and authorial voice was strong and engaging.
December 18, 2018
A great journey tale unlike one I've read before.
May 24, 2019
There are very few books that touch me so deeply that I cry. This book did!
May 12, 2020
So good! Quick read that made me cry.
August 1, 2020
A very good fictional biography of a man who wishes to rediscover his Native American roots.
November 29, 2020
A wonderful fictional account of the Ojibwe migration story as told through the personal account of a Red Cliff, WI, Ojibwe.
October 10, 2022
This was an excellent book. Even though it was a fictional store there was so much history learned from the native story of the Ojibwe journey west.
October 23, 2025
Amazing book
July 2, 2019
When I began the book I did not have high hopes but thank goodness I have an internal rule that says once a book is started it must be finished. We begin the journey learning a bit about the birth and early life of Donovan Manypenny. Donovan, as a young boy, is raised by his grandparents. As often happens his grandparents die while he is still quite young. He ends up in the foster care system and finally in an orphanage. He is adopted and moves to the east coast with his family.
We learn little of his life until his early 50's. His daughter pulls him into his Ojibwe culture and as he thinks and learns a seed begins to grow within him. He decides, in order to understand his Ojibwe being he will follow the migration of his ancestors. Events happen along the journey that expands his knowledge of his people and of himself. I will not write more about the book because I would hate to give away anything.
Now I will tell you what I loved. The author truly is a master storyteller. I was drawn into the story and saw what Donovan saw. I felt and thought things Donovan thought and felt. I cannot remember a book that has moved me as this one did. I cannot remember a book that made me think about my own past as this one did. I was going to donate this book to a school library but it is going to stay at my house. I will buy and donate a couple of copies to schools in my area.
We learn little of his life until his early 50's. His daughter pulls him into his Ojibwe culture and as he thinks and learns a seed begins to grow within him. He decides, in order to understand his Ojibwe being he will follow the migration of his ancestors. Events happen along the journey that expands his knowledge of his people and of himself. I will not write more about the book because I would hate to give away anything.
Now I will tell you what I loved. The author truly is a master storyteller. I was drawn into the story and saw what Donovan saw. I felt and thought things Donovan thought and felt. I cannot remember a book that has moved me as this one did. I cannot remember a book that made me think about my own past as this one did. I was going to donate this book to a school library but it is going to stay at my house. I will buy and donate a couple of copies to schools in my area.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews