The Orenda

Prepare to be violently thrown into the historical world of Canada in the early days of colonization. In a setting where our documented historical knowledge is scattered and incomplete, Boyden flawlessly brings to life the history and mysticism of the natives during the first years of interaction with the French.
Switching between the perspectives of a young Iroquois woman, a Wendat chief and a French missionary, this novel explores the lives and politics between warring native tribes, and the natives' attempts to co-exist with the French. The book is unique in that it seems to transcend bias, neither portraying the natives as innocent victims of circumstance, nor as uncivilized killers. Instead it goes into full detail of their gruesome torture tactics, their burial rituals and their sense of honour and respect. It then lets the reader be the judge.
The switching perspectives are all written in first-person which can be confusing at first, but once you get to know the characters, the reader can identify the characters immediately. The traditional chief, bold girl, and devout missionary are all loveable in different ways, and the minor characters work as archetypes for natives and native struggles to occur in Canada, making the story both symbolically rich and educational. This was my favourite book of 2014 and I recommend it to every Canadian.

I've always been jealous of America's ability to mythologize their history. Daniel Boone, Davy Crocket, Pocahontas, Laura Ingalls Wilder all elicit familiar nods. Had the Americans won the battle of 1812 I'm sure we'd still be hearing about it now. Canadian history by contrast seems bloodless and steeped in the Protestant ethic.

So when The Orenda is up for, and wins, Canada Reads 2014 as a “Novel to Change Our Nation” it's got a lot of ground to cover.

The book is narrated in turn by Christophe, a francophone Jesuit missionary bringing the word of God to the New World; Snow Falls, a young Haudenosaunee (adopted) by Bird, a Wendat warrior who killed her family in retaliation for the death of his family at their tribe's hand. Taking place in central Ontario during the 17th century the book is exciting and propulsive. There is the ever looming threat of a horrible death by torture. The Haudenasaunee are eager to “caress” the bodies of their victims for days at a time. Burning, dismemberment, and pain followed by tender ministrations so that the physical trials can continue. This is no Heritage Moment with placid natives pointing to their village intoning “Kanata”.

While I'm sure Boyden adheres closely to historical fact, I frankly don't care. I'm just happy to have an unabashedly Canadian, muscular epic, filled with magic and suspense that was a tremendous read.