The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian written by Sherman Alexie is a unique book about a teenager and an important transition that he makes in his life. As a fourteen year old on an Indian Reservation, Junior finds himself as the laughing stock of local kids and frequently harassed. Urged by a teacher at his school, Junior decides to switch to the nearby white school, Reardan, in search of hope. Leaving his reservation behind, Junior grows into a new person. He is hated by the reservation but becomes accepted by his new peers, and his outlook on life is altered.
The point of view in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is of the fourteen year old boy. Naturally, a lot of immaturity, comedy, and wit accompany this. “And whenever I get lonely, I grow a big zit on the end of my nose.” (Alexie, 83) Junior then proceeds to ‘tape’ a cartoon diagram of a zit onto the page. This exemplifies how Alexie went about writing most of the story. Although not a diary, this book closely resembles reading a diary, especially with the included cartoons. Although a humorous book, Alexie also included a myriad of difficulties that Junior had to go through. Death is prominent, but so is hope, which so often times go hand in hand.
One part of the uniqueness of this story is the change in occasion. As the story begins, Junior is on the reservation. In a short amount of time, he then enrolls in white school, which is a completely different atmosphere than the reservation he has lived on his whole life. After enrolling in the new school, Junior has to make the 22 mile trek there and back everyday. The long, 22 mile road resembles the large differences between his home life and his new school life. The reservation is where everyone was hungry, everyone had drinking problems, no one went to college, and only a few were happy. At Reardan, lots of kids went to college, most families had a lot of money (compared to the reservation), and everyone had a good shot in life. “My school and tribe are so poor and sad that we had to study from the same dang books that our parents did.” (Alexie, 31) “Reardan has one of the best small schools in the state, with computer room and a huge chemistry lab and a drama club and two basketball gyms.” (Alexie, 46) The difference between the two schools and the two lives Junior has lived is huge.
The audience that Alexie is trying to reach not a very serious reader. The target audience is also quite young. This is evident in his immature humor. “Yep, that’s right, I admit that I masturbate.” (Alexie, 26) The level of vocabulary is also an indicator of the easy read. Without the use of complex words, it is very easy to read this book quickly. Anyone older than a young teen would find themselves speeding through the book.
Alexie wrote this book around the central theme hope. Junior, a boy with only his family and best friend, had nothing to look forward to in his life. No college, no sustaining job, and more than likely a life of alcoholism. But, when he leaves his reservation, he sees the world through a new pair of eyes where anything is possible. Alexie uses this story to convey the sense of hope that Junior possessed, and what hopefully other people will learn to behold.
As mentioned before, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian resembles a diary. This feature makes the book fun and interesting, and it adds a lot of humor. Knowing Junior (a silly teenage boy)’s every thought and emotion add a lot of comedy to the book. Another unique feature is the use of comics. The comics that were added let you look even further into Junior’s mind. “I draw because words are too unpredictable. I draw because words are too limited. If you speak and write in English, or Spanish, or chinese, or any other language, then only a certain percentage of human beings will get your meaning. But when you draw a picture, everybody can understand it.” (Alexie, 5) The comics that were added into nearly every page added another aspect, a different way of viewing that particular topic.
Junior, who narrates the whole book, is a witty, humorous, immature boy and the reader reads his every thought. Though there is frequent talk of boners and masterbation, Junior can also be very serious and sentimental. Death occurs on numerous occasions in this book, and though it is still the same adolescent boy, Junior could take on a much more somber tone to fit the mood.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian tells the story of a hopeful young teen who takes necessary steps to succeed, even if it means not everyone will like him. This book is wildly fascinating and remarkably, laugh-out-loud, funny. Everyone should get a chance to read it, no matter how old. This book earned five out of five pine trees.