I very much appreciate the friend who told me this book marked a significant stylistic shift for Belcourt. I'd tried to read both one of his poetry books and his memoir, and come away with the feeling that I was at least a Masters in English Lit away from understanding what the heck he was talking about.

This is not that! It's a collection of linked short stories, and though the majority of the characters are gay Cree men in the arts, it doesn't have the same interpretability as his other books. Instead, Belcourt writes story after story about connection, and warmth, and moments of joy. "What do you call a handful of Crees? A laughter."

Which is not to say that Belcourt has turned away from his critical view of society and the systemic violence and injustice Indigenous people live with. Rather, it's about finding life despite all that, finding connection anyway, surviving and moving forward. The stories aren't sappy or fluffy, and some of them are sad, (and frankly there were a few too many navel-gazing men in the arts), but the depth of care and joy shines through the collection.

I'm sorry to have written Belcourt off, and very glad to read his work now.