There There

Tommy Orange's novel follows twelve characters from Native communities as they travel to the Big Oakland Powwow, each for reasons of their own. There is a young man with fetal alcohol syndrome involved in a dangerous scheme, a teenager who has taught himself traditional dance from YouTube videos, and an aspiring filmmaker hoping to honor his late uncle's memory. They are all connected by threads they may not yet see, their lives moving toward a single, fateful event that will bring them together in ways they cannot anticipate.

This chorus of voices explores the complex and often overlooked experience of the urban Native American. It is a story about the search for identity, the pull of a painful history, and the struggle to find a sense of belonging in a world that has tried to erase you. The narrative grapples with themes of addiction, community, and the weight of generational trauma, weaving together personal stories into a larger, unforgettable portrait of a people. It is a poignant and unflinching look at contemporary life, revealing the beauty and resilience found in the face of profound challenges.