The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline is a dystopian novel set in a future Canada where indigenous people are hunted for their bone marrow, the key to dreaming which the rest of the population has lost. The story follows Frenchie, a 16-year-old Metis boy who joins a group of indigenous people fleeing north to escape the recruiters. Through a nonlinear narrative, the book explores themes of survival, loss, family, and the exploitation of indigenous cultures in a post-apocalyptic world.

Characters:

The characters are diverse and well-developed, particularly Frenchie, who evolves throughout the story. While some readers found it crowded, the individuality of characters stood out.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is vivid and engaging, combining accessible prose with elements of foreshadowing and oral storytelling traditions, though some find certain techniques clumsy.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot follows Frenchie and a group of Indigenous people as they flee from recruiters in a dystopian future where non-Indigenous people cannot dream. Key themes include survival, identity, and environmental issues.

Setting:

The story is set in a dystopian Canada marked by environmental disaster and societal decay, with Indigenous peoples positioned as the last dreamers.

Pacing:

The pacing is generally slow, which may detract from suspense for some readers. However, the overarching theme of survival maintains engagement.

“Anishnaabe people, us, lived on these lands for a thousand years. Some of our brothers decided to walk as far east as they could go, and some walked west, and some crossed great stretches of narrow e...

Notes:

The Marrow Thieves won the Governor General's Literary Award for young people's literature and the 2017 Kirkus Prize for young readers.

The story is set in a dystopian future where non-Indigenous people can no longer dream, while Indigenous people still can.

The plot emphasizes the harvesting of Indigenous people's bone marrow, which is necessary for non-Indigenous people to regain their ability to dream.

Frenchie, the main character, is a Métis boy who goes on a journey to survive after losing his family.

The book addresses historical trauma related to residential schools and Indigenous history.

It includes representation of various Indigenous cultures, showcasing characters of Anishinaabe, Cree, and Inuit backgrounds.

The narrative intersperses oral storytelling traditions, highlighting the importance of cultural history.

The novel raises ethical questions about sacrifice, survival, and the consequences of colonialism.

Readers noted a significant romantic subplot, but some found it distracting from the main narrative.

The writing style is described as accessible and engaging, making it suitable for both young adult and adult audiences.

The setting reflects real-world issues such as climate change and environmental destruction, with references to pollution and resource depletion.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings may include themes of violence, racism, genocide, environmental damage, and discussions of residential schools.

Has Romance?

There is a romantic subplot between the protagonist Frenchie and a girl named Rose, providing a medium level of romance within the story.

From The Publisher:

In a world where most humans have lost the ability to dream, indigenous people are being slaughtered for their bone marrow. Fifteen-year-old Frenchie holds the key, but can he save his friends? "Riveting science fiction" -SLJ Mature content

Ratings (4)

Incredible (1)
Loved It (3)

Reader Stats (23):

Read It (4)
Want To Read (17)
Not Interested (2)

2 comment(s)

gbesum340

Loved It

3 months

This book highlights a tough part of the world’s history that more people should know about. It talks about the loss of culture/land, the fight to preserve it all, and growing up. It is based in the future and located in Canada. I highly recommend people visiting the website “Native Land Digital” to see a new perspective on today’s maps, learning more about the indigenous tribes mentioned in the book (ie. The Cree), and the indigenous boarding schools.

lamnut475

Incredible

6 months

That ending <3 also this book had captured indigenous struggles so well but in a future sense also. Love it

What can you read after
The Marrow Thieves?

See the list (100 books)

Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.

The Marrow Thieves

Cherie Dimaline

Book 1 in the series:Marrow Thieves