Son of a Trickster

Eden Robinson

Book 1 in the series:Trickster

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'Son of a Trickster' by Eden Robinson follows the story of Jared, a young smart-mouthed teenager living with his troubled mother. Despite facing unfortunate events and unreliable adults in his life, Jared's strong core of compassion and sense of duty shines through as he navigates through teenage struggles and family dysfunction. The narrative weaves together elements of magical realism with raw realism, portraying Jared's life with a mix of teenage drama, family dynamics, and the introduction of fantastical elements like talking animals and supernatural beings. The writing style is described as sparse yet engaging, with witty and gritty dialogues that bring the characters to life in a vivid and authentic manner.

Characters:

Characters are vividly crafted, embodying a mix of vulnerability and resilience, with Jared standing out as a relatable protagonist amidst deep family dysfunction.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by its sparse, impactful language that captures the emotional intensity of the narrative, while also embedding humor and relatable dialogue.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers around Jared's tumultuous teenage life amidst family dysfunction, addiction, and the encroaching presence of magic realism, highlighting his struggle for hope and self-understanding.

Setting:

The setting of the story is rooted in Kitimat, BC, offering a rich background steeped in First Nations culture and contemporary societal issues.

Pacing:

Pacing varies throughout, initially meandering through Jared's struggles, before accelerating into fantastical elements that drive the latter part of the narrative.

His tiny, tightly permed maternal grandmother, Anita Moody, had never liked him. As far back as Jared could remember, she’d watched him suspiciously with her clear black eyes. She never let him come c...

Notes:

Eden Robinson's 'Son of a Trickster' was shortlisted for the Giller Prize in 2018.

The main character, Jared, is a teenager from the Haisla Nation on the west coast of Canada.

Jared lives in an abusive and dysfunctional family setup.

He supports his father by selling marijuana laced cookies.

The novel features elements of magic realism and dark urban fantasy.

The narrative style is described as tight and spare, reflecting Jared's desperate life circumstances.

The themes addressed include addiction, violence, and the struggles of First Nations youth.

Jared's mother, Maggie, is depicted as a violent and neglectful parent.

Jared often finds himself navigating a chaotic life filled with drugs, alcohol, and ghostly visions.

The book has been compared to J.D. Salinger's 'Catcher in the Rye' in its tone and themes.

There is a significant focus on generational trauma and the impact of colonialism.

The book is marketed as a Young Adult (YA) novel, although many readers feel it’s not suitable for that audience.

Jared often helps his elderly neighbors and has a compassionate side despite his struggles.

The writing captures authentic teenage dialogue and experiences.

The novel mixes humor with serious themes, creating a complex tone.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book contains themes of violence, substance abuse, child neglect, and abusive relationships.

Has Romance?

While there is some romantic development, it takes a backseat to the more pressing issues of Jared's life.

From The Publisher:

Shortlisted for the Scotiabank Giller Prize: With striking originality and precision, Eden Robinson, the author of the classic Monkey Beach and winner of the Writers' Trust of Canada Fellowship, blends humour with heartbreak in this compelling coming-of-age novel. Everyday teen existence meets indigenous beliefs, crazy family dynamics, and cannibalistic river otters . . . The exciting first novel in her trickster trilogy.

Everyone knows a guy like Jared: the burnout kid in high school who sells weed cookies and has a scary mom who's often wasted and wielding some kind of weapon. Jared does smoke and drink too much, and he does make the best cookies in town, and his mom is a mess, but he's also a kid who has an immense capacity for compassion and an impulse to watch over people more than twice his age, and he can't rely on anyone for consistent love and support, except for his flatulent pit bull, Baby Killer (he calls her Baby)-and now she's dead.

Jared can't count on his mom to stay sober and stick around to take care of him. He can't rely on his dad to pay the bills and support his new wife and step-daughter. Jared is only sixteen but feels like he is the one who must stabilize his family's life, even look out for his elderly neighbours. But he struggles to keep everything afloat…and sometimes he blacks out. And he puzzles over why his maternal grandmother has never liked him, why she says he's the son of a trickster, that he isn't human. Mind you, ravens speak to him-even when he's not stoned.

You think you know Jared, but you don't.

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Son of a Trickster?

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About the Author:

EDEN ROBINSON has matriarchal tendencies. Doesn't have a pressure cooker, but knows how to jar salmon. Her smoked salmon will not likely kill you. Hobbies: Shopping for the Apocalypse, using vocabulary as a weapon, nominating cousins to council while they're…

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