Keeper'n Me [Paperback]

Richard Wagamese (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1994

When Garnet Raven was three years old, he was taken from his home on an Ojibway Indian reserve and placed in a series of foster homes. Having reached his mid-teens, he escapes at the first available opportunity, only to find himself cast adrift on the streets of the big city.

Having skirted the urban underbelly once too often by age 20, he finds himself thrown in jail. While there, he gets a surprise letter from his long-forgotten native family.

The sudden communication from his past spurs him to return to the reserve following his release from jail. Deciding to stay awhile, his life is changed completely as he comes to discover his sense of place, and of self. While on the reserve, Garnet is initiated into the ways of the Ojibway--both ancient and modern--by Keeper, a friend of his grandfather, and last fount of history about his people's ways.

By turns funny, poignant and mystical, Keeper'n Me reflects a positive view of Native life and philosophy--as well as casting fresh light on the redemptive power of one's community and traditions.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A fascinating read...I loved the revelations of a child taken away from the love of his family and put out to where his spirit was lost...Wagamese's book is about healing the lost soul"
-Tantoo Cardinal

From the Publisher

"A fascinating read...I loved the revelations of a child taken away from the love of his family and put out to where his spirit was lost...Wagamese's book is about healing the lost soul>"
-Tantoo Cardinal

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Anchor Canada; First Printing edition (February 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385254520
• ISBN-13: 978-0385254526
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.6 x 8.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #282,556 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars There is a keeper in all of us, March 10, 2000

By 

seanp316 (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Keeper'n Me (Paperback)

Keeper 'n me By Sean Powell

Without ones culture Can a man live at peace with his soul for what he actually is? Can a Jew be a Jew without the knowledge of what is a Jew? An Indian trapped in a world where he is the only one with his looks. Can discrimination not take place? A man born Christian must know the ways of his religion before he can call himself Christian. In this novel Keeper ' n me a man must confront his racial color and become what he always was but never wanted to be. The story Keeper ' n is all about letting out feelings about ones culture. Garnet Raven is an Ojibway Indian who was separated from his family when he was just a baby. An innocent young boy taken away from his culture and tossed into a false perceptive of the world outside the reserve. The story progresses as Garnet Raven gains a false illusion of his heritage. He turns white, Hawaiian and black as he masks his real Ojibway feelings. He feels trapped and lonely since he thinks he is the only Indian in a city of blacks and whites. Later on Garnet is tracked down by his family and when released from jail. He manages to build up the courage to return to his family. As his culture is renewed Garnet becomes everything his Ojibway religion is. Keeper is a friend of Garnets family who teaches Garnet about his heritage. In trade for the knowledge Keeper asks Garnet for company and a friend. Keeper creates a meaning that pushes Garnet into an Indian man. A man he always thought he would never be. A true Ojibway. For years Indians through out Canada were forced into foster homes. They were stolen from their parents. I myself can not relate to the feeling of being taken away from my parents and thrown into the hands of foster parents. Richard Waganese who is the author adds a realistic feeling into Keeper ' n me. The richly textured dialogue takes you into the life of the Ravens. I take my hat off to Mr. Waganese for completing a difficult task of putting his speaking style onto paper. With in the novel I noticed a lot of symbolism of Garnets character. Ravens are strong, brave and courageous, those are the characteristics of Garnet. I learned from the novel that the powers of ones love and tradition can with stand any large mountain and over come any fear. Keeper ' n me is a wonderful novel about redemption and tradition. I am a Jew and I have gone through tons of religious aspects of my life not knowing where it would take me. Garnet managed to accomplish a difficult task on becoming what his ancestors were and more. He learned more things about his religion then most of his people knew and they weren't seperated from the reserve for 20 years. Richard Waganese did a marvelous job. A must read for anyone in the need of a laugh, a tear or a good time.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Keeper'n Me, a feel good book, March 1, 2000

By 

Dana (Montreal, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Keeper'n Me (Paperback)

I have just finished reading keeper'n me with my North American literature class. I am in grade 11 at centennial Academy in Montreal, Quebec. This book by Richard Wagamese is a great story about a man named Garnet Raven who goes back to his Indian home after being taken away when he was 3 years old. This story is the journey of a man who is a stranger to his own hometown. He becomes accepted and familiar with his home through the love and support from his family. This book taught me that you should find out who you really are and try not to be afraid of it. You should be proud of your culture and religion because it's a part of who your are. Garnet never felt like he had a place in the world until he went home. Garnet finds himself and learns about his people through an old friend of his grandfathers named keeper. There are all kinds of emotions in this book, sometimes it was funny, sad, or happy. So if your looking for a book that just makes you feel good inside, I definitely recommend Keeper'n me.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Read This Before You Pick Up the Book!, March 10, 2000

By 

Wahsontiio (Kahnawake, Quebec) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Keeper'n Me (Paperback)

I had to read Keeper 'n Me by Richard Wagamese for a North American Literature class at school, and I would have to say it wasn't the best book I ever read. It was humorous at parts, the way the main character, Garnet Raven, tries to get through his life searching for who he is and finally finding himself at twenty-five. What I didn't like about this book was that it was kind of slow moving, and not really the type of book I would usually read. But what I did like about it was the relaxed style in which it was written; it is almost as if the book is talking to you. The story also deals with a great issue in which all of us must face: finding out who we are. Some of us are searching for years to find out who we are, just like Garnet. I can also relate to the spirituality and contact with nature which is part of Garnet's culture, because I am a Mohawk and had knowledge of this sort of culture since I was a little kid. Altogether this book was alright, and my likes outweighed my dislikes, so I give this book 3 stars.