Book Discussion – “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian”

  • Date(s): Monday, February 11th 2013
  • Time: 6 p.m.
  • Location: Niobrara County Library

The first of three book discussions in the “Being Human” series is planned at the Niobrara County Library on Monday, February 11 at 6 p.m.

Sherman Alexie’s “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” is the story of Arnold Spirit, a goofy-looking dork with a decent jumpshot, who spends his time lamenting life on the Indian reservation, drawing cartoons and, along with his pal Rowdy, laughing those laughs over anything and nothing that affix best friends so intricately together. When a teacher pleads with Arnold to want more, to escape the hopelessness of the rez, Arnold switches to a rich white school and immediately becomes as much an outcast in his own community as he is a curiosity in his new one. He weathers the typical indignations and triumphs like a champ but soon faces far more trying ordeals as his home life begins to crumble and decay amidst the suffocating mire of alcoholism on the reservation.

The series seeks to ask the question what is it to be human – how do circumstances and oft-times dire situations create the human experience?

Wayne Deahl will return to facilitate the discussions and the Wyoming Women’s Center will join via Skype.