I bought this book to help with a paper I’m writing on violence against children in residential schools. This was a harrowing read, and it served its purpose well. Reading about Augie and his companion’s experiences at St. Therese Residential School was heartbreaking. Augie’s resilience, humour, and determination in telling his story are a testament to how difficult it is to break a strong spirit.

We know this was not an easy story for David Carpenter to capture or for Augie Merasty to tell. Augie lived simply, without technology. He was elusive, wayward. He had suffered extensive trauma and battled substance abuse. Despite these challenges, Carpenter did an incredible job with what he had, and Augie was phenomenal in his outspoken retelling of his devastating past.

This is not a book that should be rated at all. It’s not up to us to judge someone’s experiences or Carpenter’s efforts in piecing together what he could. But I’m giving it five stars, not just to counter those who felt the need to give it less, but because it deserves all five and more.