Customer Reviews

Angel Wing Splash Pattern

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Richard Van Camp
Angel Wing Splash Pattern

Richard Van Camp is a storyteller. It seems to be a part of his blood.

Sometimes English, the English words we use, take away from how we can feel as Aboriginal people. Our stories often are weighted down with English translations of Aboriginal expression. I know it's one of the ways we can relate experience to each other but sometimes, most times, the English words master the heart involved. Luckily, though, every so often, there is someone who can break through these clouds and share all of who they are through the words they choose. I think Richard Van Camp is one of these people. A storyteller of the most ancient kind, I think he can hear the words flow throughout his blood. Angel Wing Splash Pattern is stories about moving past those clouds. The stories are about Indian experience; Indian stories written with a Dogrib voice, with a proud voice. These are different stories, different than the usual stories about Indians, and to me, even different than the usual stories written by Indians about Indians, because of the amount of truth inside of them. While I was reading them I couldn't help but read them aloud and I got so caught up in the power of these words that I think they wanted to make me Dogrib so I could hear them better.
Frenchy recommends this book to everyone looking for the right words, inspiration and beauty, and to everyone looking for something entertaining. Amazing stories told by an amazing storyteller, but that would be the easiest description. ...

"A superb collection"

Angel Wing Splash Pattern has received a glowing review by Matthew Firth in latest issue of The Danforth Review.

"Angel Wing Splash Pattern is a superb collection and such a welcome relief from the usual, middle of the road, CanLit crapola. There is no middle class, Toronto-centric mewling going on here. And thank Christ for that! Van Camp's fiction is stripped down, yes, but also thoughtful, wise and compassionate."

For the full review go to: [website]

"Van Camp has a real respect for the sacred and the profane in these close-to-the-bone stories. People take on their difficult lives with spunk and a sense of humour, and, perhaps more importantly, he engenders an irrepressible sense of hope where the prognosis might otherwise be bleak."
--Malahat Review Fall 2002 issue by Lucy
Bashford.