The MARROW THIEVES,
a novel by Cherie Dimaline. Cormorant, 2017
My hesitations above tell you what you need to know
about the story. Frenchie is hiding out, moving from camp to camp in the bush
with Miig, the older leader, Minerva, the Elder, Wab and Chi-Boy, an emerging
couple, Rose, the love interest, and RiRi, one of four children. Frenchie has
lost his brother Mitch and their father; Miig has lost his husband Isaac.
Coincidence does play a part in the plot more than once. The group feels like
“prey”, “hunted” by government Recruiters. They fear being captured and sold to
the “schools” where the harvesting labs are located. Fear of the unknown and
suspicion dominate. Which strangers can be trusted? Individuals are angry at
what has caused climate change which has destroyed life as it was known. They
cope with their grief by telling “coming-to” stories about what they have lost
and how they arrived where they are now. There are some beautiful poetic
descriptions and the plot is engaging. Will they or won’t they be captured?
Will he or won’t he get the girl? Well worth reading.
As part of my Substack newsletter One Lonely Writer, my series on RECONCILE THIS1, I look at how The Marrow Thieves contributes towards RECONCILIATION.