A Perfect Likeness: Two Novellas

by Richard Wagamese, Waubgeshig Rice (Foreword)

Celebrated author Richard Wagamese artfully crafts these thrilling yet vulnerable stories of two young men trying to find their place in the world. The volume brings together two previously published novellas by Richard Wagamese, Him Standing and The Next Sure Thing , with a foreword from author Waubgeshig Rice. Both stories follow the lives of young men who have dreams for a better future. In their search for fame and fortune, Cree Thunderboy and Lucas Smoke end up on paths where their biggest challenge is staying true to themselves. In Him Standing , Lucas Smoke learns the art of carving from his grandfather. He discovers that he is a natural; he can literally make people come to life in wood. But when Lucas is asked to carve a spirit mask by a mysterious stranger, he quickly learns that his skill with a knife could cost him his dreams. In The Next Sure Thing , Cree Thunderboy has two things he does playing blues guitar and picking winning horses at the track. Picking winners is just meant to be a means to an end―Cree's goal is to make his living playing the blues. He meets a powerful man at the racetrack who convinces him he can parlay his special skill with the horses into a shot at the fame and fortune he seeks.

Genres: Horror, Indigenous, Fiction, Canada, Contemporary, Native American

224 pages, Paperback

Published March 16, 2021

About the author

Richard 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.

Reviews

[Ian M. Pyatt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a tough one for me to rate as I was expecting another wonderful book by Mr. Wagamese, but unfortunately, it did not meet my expectations.

I'll work backwards and discuss "The Next Sure Thing". I gave this story only a one (1) star rating.. I kept looking for a connection and story line to Indigenous peoples, but found only Cree Thunderboy being the only thing that related to Indigenous. Cree could have been any nationality and nothing would have been any different. The story and plot was well conceived and was interesting to read and am thinking some of it could be relatable, truthful, and true.

Him Standing, which I have three (3) stars, was very interesting and did like learning a bit more of Indigenous culture of spirits, stories. Lucas Smoke certainly had alot of help from Amy One Sky as he struggled with creating his carvings that Gareth Knight had commissioned for him to do, after Gareth saw his work on the board walk. I also like how Sally was first introduced into the story and how she became an important character and someone to lean on when Lucas started to feel immense pressure to complete his masks. A four star rating.

[❀ Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a huge fan of the storytelling of the late Richard Wagamese. These novellas were combined into one book and recently released.

In some ways, they read like young adult novels and I preferred the first (Him Standing) over the second story. They both had elements of good and bad as well as the lesson that things that seem to good to be true are not a good idea.

I enjoyed the life lessons in these stories and am thankful that Richard Wagamese's beautiful storytelling lives on!

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evil may be colossal, but it has only as much power as you allow it to have. These are two very different stories about evil but only the first one, Him Standing, really resonated with me. Lucas has an amazing knife trick - he can carve any piece of wood into an amazing likeness of the person he’s looking at. He’s a struggling artist with a too-good-to-be-true actress/model girlfriend, Amy. Lucas is just beginning to make a living from his work when he's approached by an oddly-dressed man who offers him a large chunk of money to complete a mysterious carving commission, and it all blows up from there. Lucas and Amy meet Sally, who grounds the story in Indigenous mythology. The whole thing is cinematic and would make an amazing Canadian film. The second story was a noir crime story that didn’t have nearly the effect on me that the first one did, dealing as it did with gambling and organized crime which both bore the socks off me. Losing Richard Wagamese tore a great empty hole in the fabric of Indigenous Canadian literature and I miss him as I write this. What a loss.

[Aspen H · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up**

I absolutely loved the first novella Him Standing! I enjoyed the characters, the making of the mask, the dream world and shaman story. Unique way of writing Lucas' perspective and enjoyed every part of it; that story deserves a 5 stars!!

However, the second novella The Next Sure Thing, was not for me. I liked the parts about the race track, but I didn't like the main character or the way his voice was written. I did not like the overall storyline of this one, although I did enjoy the plot twist at the end. This one would only get 2.5-3 stars from me.

So cumulative of 3.5 stars between the two. I still recommend reading this, its a light and quick read.

[Lyf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wagamese does what he does best - stories woven together with magical simplicity that delight in being what they are and not what you expect them to be.

[David]

The good guys here are usually clever, but not very smart. If they were smart, they wouldn't have gotten themselves into the situations that provide most of the conflict. The bad guys? Well, I've flushed lots more useful and valuable things. The villains are awful; makes for good conflict; makes it easier to overlook the weaknesses of the good guys. Two very intriguing stories with some marvellous narrative twists, but, boy, is it ever a world I want no part of!

[Kim Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richard Wagamese books were getting better and better. I will miss his books

[Peggy Kehoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, I think Wagamese is a brilliant storyteller. In these two novellas, young indigenous men navigate their way, staying true to the teaching of the Anishinaabe people.

[Sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wagamese had the most incredible gift of putting together nature, and magic within his stories. While these weren't my favourite from him, both of these short stories impressed me with their depth. Especially Him Standing.

The first novella: Him Standing is about a talented young woodcarver named Lucas Smoke. When he is approached with a difficult, and high-paying job, he comes to find out that it definitely has strings attached.

The second novella: The Next Sure Thing, introduces us to Cree Thunderboy, who is excellent at two things: playing the Blues on his guitar, and picking winning horses at the races. When at the races, he meets a man who promises him his chance at making it big in the Blues world. All he has to do is keep picking those winners.

These were both great stories that I read as part of Indigathon. Always excited to read more Richard Wagamese!

[Arwyn King · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t remember the last time I finished a book in a day. Richard Wagamese’s A Perfect Likeness was the perfect book to start my Indigenous History month reading. He is truly an absolutely brilliant author and honestly, the only male author I seem to be interested in reading these days. He captures your attention instantly and doesn’t let it go. He forged a way for Indigenous authors in literature and is an essential and unparalleled voice for the Indigenous community. I have loved everything that Richard Wagamese has written and these two stories once again filled my heart. I love the way he highlights the incredible talent and passion of his two protagonists. I can only dream of carving or playing the blues like Lucas Smoke and Cree Thunderboy. Thank you Richard Wagamese, I mourn your loss and that I missed the opportunity to hear you speak.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two previously published Novellas , Him Standing and The Next Sure Thing, are combined in this book. Two young indigenous men are looking for a better life. One man is a talented carver but becomes involved with a mysterious stranger and the supernatural. The second man wants to be come a famous guitarist but is good at picking winning horses at the track and becomes involved with criminals. I like Wagamese writing and enjoyed these 2 stories.

[Kareen Samuels · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love how good triumphs over evil through sheer cunning and skill. I love the representation of the Indigenous man, not as a drunk and liar but as smart, reflective and self possessed. I wish I had discovered these two novellas while I was teaching the NBE course (The Indigenous Education Course). Oh well, now I know and when you know you have a responsibility to do something about it.

[Caitlin Pierce · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars for "Him Standing"-- the villain felt too cliche, the dialogue was awkward, feels too YA for me.
4 stars for "The Next Sure Thing"-- I saw both twists coming a mile away but it was still an enjoyable read. I felt I understood these characters more.
I do prefer Wagamese's longer works of fiction, he established setting so well.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought the book because of the first novella, Him Standing. 5 stars.

I didn't want to average the two novellas. Because I liked this first novela so very much. Smart move.

I would rate second novella, The Next Sure Thing, as good not great. 3 stars.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy reading books by Richard Wagamese and this didn't disappoint.

[Carla Villar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good writing. Both tales are scary but in different ways.

[Jessica Villarreal · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up

[Frenchy Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the ingenuity of the main characters of these novellas and how they outsmarted their enemy. Wagamese excels at story telling as much in the short form as he does in the long form.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Him Standing is a fun book to read. I read this because Richard Wagamese wrote it, and I love Richard Wagamese.

[Canlit4ever · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meticulous storytelling. The content of neither novella was my cup of tea, but his craft always shines.

[Graeme · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun book, good morals and flew through it. Feels like adult versions of fables with indigenous perspectives and lessons.

[Jbondandrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two very entertaining short stories. I think I liked the first story best.

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75/5

[R. K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two interesting short stories.

[Ryan Olson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two very fine novellas. Worth a quick read.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wagamese never misses for me and these two novellas were no exception.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you dance with the Devil . . . . These are two very good novellas by one of my favorite authors, whose time was too short on this Earth. I have pretty much enjoyed everything I've read of his, and will be on a little Wagamese journey as I got my hands on three of his works. I liked the title story a tad more than the second, but they were both good.