There There
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There There is Tommy Orange’s debut novel, and he is a writer to watch. Usually for an author’s first novel I hope to get excellent characters, an interesting plot, or a unique/engaging writing style. If I get two the the three I consider it a good debut. Tommy Orange hits it out of the park on all three counts. The novel focuses on the stories of urban Native Americans, reminding the reader that 1) they exist and 2) Native stories and experiences are not a monolith. We follow 12 different characters in the lead up to the Big Oakland Powwow, and Orange fits in a remarkable amount of character development considering the number of interweaving plotlines.
Each character is working on (or avoiding) their own issues, and as we learn how the stories overlap we get an honest but often painful reckoning of how generational trauma, addiction, and lack of resources can impact a community.
The book is occasionally hard to stick with, only because it becomes obvious early on how it has to end. But while it’s clear there is tragedy on the horizon, it is never certain who will be the trigger or who will steer clear, and I found myself rooting hard for the individuals as they worked through their personal obstacles.
Overall There There is vivid, overflowing with characters and emotions, and ends abruptly, refusing to tie everything off in a neat bow. We see some commit to turning their lives around for the better, and we watch others make irreparable mistakes. Tommy Orange doesn’t shy away from the terrible impact these mistakes can have on someone’s life or the lives around them, but he’s never judgmental in his writing and always makes sure the character motivations have been explored. It may not always be exactly enjoyable, but it's certainly refreshing to read such a clear-eyed look into life in an increasingly black-and-white world.
I paired the book with sparkling water because in a book rife with addiction, it felt disrespectful to pick an alcoholic drink. As one of the characters says, “I’m sorry you gotta see it, Nephew, it’s the only thing that’s gonna make me feel better. I been drinking for a long time. It helps. Some people take pills to feel okay. Pills will kill you too over time. Some medicine is poison.” That last line has stuck with me. Addiction and mental health issues run in my family, and I distinctly remember being told as a child that one of my uncles passed away due to his habit of self-medication. It was clearly framed as he had done the best he could with what he had, but his coping mechanisms eventually killed him. We all deal with stress in our lives, and we all have unhealthy coping mechanisms. But as comforting as it may be to hide from the world at the bottom of a bottle (or in a book!), people are pack animals at heart. If you are dealing with a lot of stress in your life, reach out to ask for help or even just to say you’re having a hard time. In honor of those who have or are currently struggling with life, stress, or anything else, I’ve put links below for addiction, mental health, or even just good places to make friends if you’re currently working to rebuild your own community. Please remember, you are loved!
