Him Standing (Rapid Reads)

If you like Sherman Alexie in his more serious mode, you will enjoy this coming-of-age, magical reality novella. The author's voice is similar to Alxie's. as well.

I have listened to both Medicine Walk and Dream Wheels on audible and was blown away by both stories. Him Staning is an Ok read and worth the time you spend, but there is a certain averageness about it for such a gifted writer. it does not live up to the novels so I give it a 3. Clearly the long novel was the form he excelled at.

This is a very slim volume, printed in large type to make it look more like a novel length book. It's more like short story length, and pretty childishly told as well. If you take this to the oil change place to read while your car is serviced, you'll be standing around waiting with nothing to read. Rapid Reads indeed.

I recently learned that Orca Book Publishers has a line of books that they call 'Rapid Reads'. These are shorter stories, both fiction and non-fiction, that are both shorter in length and easier to read. The target readers are ESL students, people with lower level reading skills, those who want a one night read. I feel they would also be a great choice for people who are having trouble focusing, perhaps due to an extended illness. At present there are 29 adults titles available. Him Standing by Richard Wagamese is the first I have read.Lucas Smoke is just 20 years old, yet he has the carving skills of much more experienced artist. When he holds a piece of wood in his hand, he can see his subject within it. He feels that he is making a good living by carving the images of people along the boardwalk. He learned much of his art by watching his grandfather carve spirit masks, which were highly sought by collectors.Undoubtedly he would have continued carving people, except that fateful day when Gareth Knight stopped on the boardwalk to challenge Lucas to a particularly difficult commission.This story was non-stop action right from the first page where we learn that Lucas is a nature, perhaps even a savant at his craft. It continues a a brisk pace and kept my attention for every minute. And yes, I did read it through in one evening. Even though this book is rated at a grade 2.8 level, it still have sufficient detail and was a complex enough story to keep me interested.

I blew through this short story during lunch hour. The premise of the tale held me until the very end. Although it is a quick read, it is one steeped in Ojibway culture where every detail is priceless. The seemingly never ending nightmare our hero experiences is frightening to anyone that enjoys lucid dreams. Where we understand little but appreciate the subtleties, you have to ask: who is sending the message? Definitely worth the time to discover interesting myths and legends from the "old ones."

Him should sit down. An overly simplistic retelling of the good and evil Star Wars story (who's little joke was it to name the protagonist Lucas Smoke). "The Force" is wielded by good and bad shamen, remote lifting by the throat and all. The writing wouldn't strain an average third grader. And illusions to Ojibway culture, a potentially illuminating subject, were so vague as to be smokey. Save your money. Buy a Big Mac for more nourishment.

I have read many of Richard Wagamese's books and he has quickly shot to the top of my list of Canadian authors whose books I can't put down. Him Standing was not my favorite but I believe it still deserves a four star rating because he tells a modern tale in the manner of countless First Nation storytellers who came before him. I can picture this tale being read around a campfire. In Him Standing Richard Wagamese pays homage to tradition. The ancestors would be proud.

I generally really love Richard Wagamese's books, and I was so excited to see he had written a horror story. The story itself is interesting, but the book is part of a 'quick read' series for ESL or reluctant readers. Because of this the story felt very superficial and fast, with none of the detailed character development in Wagamese's other books. Still worth a read.

This was a gift and it was excellent..Arrived on time. Great story and will be ordering more ..

A feel-good story for the younger set about good prevailing over evil. A young man finds his heritage through his art and avoids the common pitfalls of city life.

I love native stories and Mr.Wagamese is a great writer..Thank you