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From the Ashes was an amazing story that was beautifully and sharply written. With parts of the books written with the help of eye witnesses, and paper trails to fill the gaps in his memory, it sometimes reads as a biography more than a memoir. But what makes it different when he wrote of times where he did have a strong sense of self and was able to write succinctly and emotionally of the needs, wants, and pains he experienced, it pulls the reader in and gets you rooting for him, and occasionally yelling at him to smarten up and do better. It’s the books strongest asset: its ability to make you feel like Jesse is a friend or relative who you are witnessing go through abuse, addiction, and incarceration, but also love, hopes for the future and sobriety. When he makes the final change to be the person who would later write the book, you can’t help but feel buoyed yourself as the changes he makes stick.
This book will take you through ALL the emotions. At times you’ll want to put the book down and not pick it up. At times you’ll yell at the book or want to smack Jesse straight. At times you won’t want to put it down at all. If you want that, this book is for you.
As this book is also a Canada Reads 2020 shortlisted book, its worth asking “How does the book bring Canada into focus?” What it brought into focus for me were all the public systems and resources that failed not only Jesse, but his family. But it also shows some successes, and could serve as reinforcement as to why public resources for people who are in poverty and or have addictions need more public support (and by extension, funding). I think I also couldn’t help but think about how people with addiction today face higher risks than Jesse did, as they run the risk of fentanyl, or worse, in their drugs. How many people have died who had the potential in them to create a better life for themselves, and the world, but didn’t have access to public health programs like safe injection sites and prescribed heroin which have been shown time and again to help and save people?
This book will take you through ALL the emotions. At times you’ll want to put the book down and not pick it up. At times you’ll yell at the book or want to smack Jesse straight. At times you won’t want to put it down at all. If you want that, this book is for you.
As this book is also a Canada Reads 2020 shortlisted book, its worth asking “How does the book bring Canada into focus?” What it brought into focus for me were all the public systems and resources that failed not only Jesse, but his family. But it also shows some successes, and could serve as reinforcement as to why public resources for people who are in poverty and or have addictions need more public support (and by extension, funding). I think I also couldn’t help but think about how people with addiction today face higher risks than Jesse did, as they run the risk of fentanyl, or worse, in their drugs. How many people have died who had the potential in them to create a better life for themselves, and the world, but didn’t have access to public health programs like safe injection sites and prescribed heroin which have been shown time and again to help and save people?