The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian
by Sherman Alexie, National Book Award Winner
Jun 30, 2008
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian is arguably one of Sherman Alexie’s greatest literary achievements because of the harsh honesty in which he tells Junior’s story. In fact, most of Junior’s story is an autobiographical look at Alexie’s childhood on the Spokane Indian Reservation, which makes the story all the more endearing, hilarious and heartbreaking.
Synopsis of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian
Arnold (Junior) Spirit wasn’t a boy blessed with luck by his ancestors. He was born a hydrocephalic, underwent major brain surgery at 6 days old, and grew up with 42 teeth, a stutter and a lisp as a result of the surgery. But, he lived against all odds, which sets him up early to break out of the mold.
After seeing his mother’s name printed inside his tattered geometry textbook, Junior understands that the only way off the Rez is to leave the Reservation and go to the public school in Reardan, Washington, 20 miles away. In doing so, he loses his best friend, dates a white girl and endures tragedy after tragedy with an endearing sense of humor that opens the eyes of readers to the hardships of Reservation living.
Junior vs. the World
Alexie gives readers a brilliant message through Junior. No matter who you are, you can rise up above your surroundings and make something of yourself. But, Alexie also makes it perfectly clear to his readers just how tough life really is on an Indian Reservation. Junior’s comparison of white kids and Indian kids is heartbreaking. White kids have a “bright future”, “positive role models”, and “hope” while Indian kids have “a vanishing past”, “a family history of diabetes and cancer”, and “bone-crushing reality”.
Readers can identify with Junior because he is the classic bumbling, socially awkward teenager trying to find his place in the world. Alexie makes Junior stand out because he’s trying to find a balance between his desire to fit in with his heritage on the Rez, even though it is his heritage that is holding him back, and finding success and acceptance in a predominantly white world.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian is more than just a young adult novel ripe with young adult problems. It is a literary achievement on the highest level for having the courage to tell the truth through the eyes of an unconventional boy, in a world where most have forgotten about the Indian.
Alexie, Sherman. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian. New York: Little, Brown (2007).
