Five Little Indians

A Novel

By: Michelle Good

Narrated by: Kyla Garcia

WINNER: Canada Reads 2022

WINNER: Governor General’s Literary Award for Fiction

WINNER: Amazon First Novel Award

WINNER: Kobo Emerging Author Prize

Finalist: Scotiabank Giller Prize

Finalist: Atwood Gibson Writers Trust Prize

Finalist: BC & Yukon Book Prize

Shortlist: Indigenous Voices Awards

National Bestseller; A Globe and Mail Top 100 Book of the Year; A CBC Best Book of the Year; An Apple Best Book of the Year; A Kobo Best Book of the Year; An Indigo Best Book of the Year

Taken from their families when they are very small and sent to a remote, church-run residential school, Kenny, Lucy, Clara, Howie and Maisie are barely out of childhood when they are finally released after years of detention.

Alone and without any skills, support or families, the teens find their way to the seedy and foreign world of Downtown Eastside Vancouver, where they cling together, striving to find a place of safety and belonging in a world that doesn’t want them. The paths of the five friends cross and crisscross over the decades as they struggle to overcome, or at least forget, the trauma they endured during their years at the Mission.

Fuelled by rage and furious with God, Clara finds her way into the dangerous, highly charged world of the American Indian Movement. Maisie internalizes her pain and continually places herself in dangerous situations. Famous for his daring escapes from the school, Kenny can’t stop running and moves restlessly from job to job—through fishing grounds, orchards and logging camps—trying to outrun his memories and his addiction. Lucy finds peace in motherhood and nurtures a secret compulsive disorder as she waits for Kenny to return to the life they once hoped to share together. After almost beating one of his tormentors to death, Howie serves time in prison, then tries once again to re-enter society and begin life anew.

With compassion and insight, Five Little Indians chronicles the desperate quest of these residential school survivors to come to terms with their past and, ultimately, find a way forward.

An Important Read for our Time!

Michelle Good captures the lives of five survivors of the Canadian Residential School system. (notice they don't talk about "graduates" of the schools?) The life-long devastation of the period of their respective incaraceration is clear and understandable. The narrator is able to assume different voices that represent each character in a respectful and apparently accurate manner.

In addition to being an important issue to read to become more familiar with the diffiuclty that many survivors have experienced, Michelle is an excellent word-smith and story teller.

I can't recommend it highly enough!

Impact of Indian boarding school on life

Well-written book about the lives of four North American Indians and their lives at boarding school and afterwards. Describing the impact that the abuse they suffered had on each of them was sad at times, enlightening at others.

Heartbreaking but beautiful

This book was a tough read since it told the story of a group of Native American kids kidnapped and forced to attend "Indian School" in Canada. The writing was beautiful and the characters were well-fleshed out and relatable. Even though it broke my heart it was full of hope, love, and joy. I am very glad that I read it.

Amazing

The story of true events was heartbreaking but with a lot of love in the process of trauma!
It’s a story of events that happened to Native’s & their children in Canada! It’s gripping, heartbreaking, strength, bonds , abuse , friendship, family and so much more !
Please It’s A Must Read !!!!!!

History of a Lost People

I enjoyed listening and wondered how people could be so inhumane to another. I was delighted with an ending of hope.