76 pages • 2 hours read
Richard WagameseIndian Horse
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2012A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese follows Saul Indian Horse, an Ojibway boy from northern Ontario who, after traumatic childhood experiences and losing his family, is placed in a residential school where he finds solace in hockey. His talent brings him success, but pervasive racism and personal trauma lead him to leave the sport and turn to alcoholism, ultimately seeking recovery and rediscovering joy in the game. The book contains sensitive topics, including residential school experiences and substance use.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese is praised for its poignant storytelling and evocative portrayal of Indigenous Canadian life. Readers commend its emotional depth, gripping narrative, and insightful exploration of cultural identity and trauma. Criticisms focus on pacing issues in some sections and the graphic nature of certain content. Despite these, it remains a powerful and essential read.
Who Should Read Indian Horse?
Readers who appreciate emotionally powerful, character-driven narratives focusing on Indigenous experiences and personal resilience will enjoy Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese. Comparable to Sherman Alexie's The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian and Louise Erdrich's Love Medicine, it appeals to those interested in stories of cultural identity and survival.