Adam's Tree

by Gloria Mehlmann

Adam's Tree is a fictional account of life on the Cowesses First Nation in Saskatchewan during the 1940's and 50's.This period in history finds forces like regulatory policy, World War II, systemic racism, and the long reach of the depression defining reserve life and rural relationships. These short stories are told from the perspective of various characters on the an Indigenous teenage girl named Sophie, men who return to Cowesses after the war, struggling with untreated and unacknowledged PTSD, settlers like the local school teacher and the "Indian agent". This book contributes to the dialogue on reconciliation, freeing Indigenous voices during a period of time that is rarely written about. It encourages readers to examine the sources and meaning of today's inheritance of complex relations.

220 pages, Paperback

Published July 16, 2019

Reviews

[Debra Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I may be slightly biased since I published this book by Gloria. It's a well written book, connected short stories that are dark, yet hint at redemption and hope for all of the characters. Set in Saskatchewan on the Cowessess First Nation. Sophie appears throughout the book, beginning when she is a young girl in "Beating Hearts", she observes the behaviour of her adult caretakers and is perplexed by their treatment of each other, which involves abuse and rejection of her aunt, who is disabled by arthritis. Read the book and enjoy!

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mehlmann's prose is both clear and poetic. These interconnected stories weave together to build a picture of hope, humanity, loss, yearning, and more. You will feel you know the Cowessess First Nation when you are done with Adam's Tree.