Biography
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Cherie Dimaline is a prominent Metis author from Canada, celebrated for her compelling storytelling and advocacy for Indigenous rights and representation. Born and raised in Ontario, Dimaline draws upon her Metis heritage and experiences to craft narratives that resonate deeply with readers. She is best known for her award-winning novel The Marrow Thieves, which explores themes of resilience and cultural survival in a dystopian world. Dimaline's writing often centers on the experiences of Indigenous people, shedding light on their struggles and rich cultural heritage. She has authored a total of
ten books (4), with more in the works, and continuously speaks out about her experience as an Indigenous writer, as well as
her approach to writing young adult literature. Beyond her literary achievements, Dimaline is also recognized for her activism and efforts to amplify Indigenous voices in literature (5). Through her work, she continues to make a profound impact on the literary landscape, inspiring readers, and fostering greater understanding and appreciation for Indigenous cultures (12).
About The Marrow Thieves
The Marrow Thieves  |
| Published Sept. 2017 (10) |
by Cherie Dimaline is a gripping dystopian novel set in a future where climate change has ravaged the Earth and people have lost the ability to dream. In this bleak landscape, indigenous people are hunted for their bone marrow, which holds the key to restoring dreams. The story follows Frenchie, a young Metis boy, as he navigates a dangerous journey with a group of fellow survivors, seeking refuge, and safety from the ruthless recruiters. Along the way, they face numerous challenges and dangers, including the loss of loved ones and betrayal. Through their resilience and determination, they forge bonds of family and community, fighting to preserve their culture and humanity in a world stripped of hope (9). Dimaline's novel,
The Marrow Thieves, has garnered widespread acclaim and
numerous awards for its powerful storytelling and profound themes (6).
Reviews
While initially presented as dystopian fiction filled with adventure and peril, Jessica Rose from Quill & Quire, states how the book offers much deeper insight to those with an interest in social justice and an understanding of colonial history. Above all, it serves as a warning, depicting an exaggerated version of the potential future Earth scenarios; such as references to pipelines, melting polar regions, rising sea levels, and the ramifications of inadequate environmental policies. Rose expresses how the novel stands as a compelling and intellectually powerful narrative, essential reading for audiences of all ages (8).
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"It's a jarring allegory for North America's colonial past and a global future that looks more precarious every day." Judy Berman from Time Magazine (2)
The central character, Frenchie finds liberation from the clutches of the Recruiters through the intervention of Miigwans, an Anishnaabe-a culturally linked Indigenous group inhabiting the Great Lakes region of Canada and the United States. Kirkus Reviews, in a 2017 critique, highlights Miigwans' portrayal as a genuine hero, resonating with profound emotional depth and tenderness. While acknowledging the sideling of female characters, the review emphasizes Miigwans' role as a conduit for readers to emphasize the intricacies and empathy of Indigenous people. Dimaline's skill in crafting a dystopian realm that feels eerily tangible is underscored, offering painful parallels to contemporary realities (11).
Reflection
Despite facing challenges in the story, Miigwans stands out as a strong and caring character, giving readers a deep understanding of various Indigenous viewpoints. Kirkus Review points out how Dimaline's portrayal of Indigenous characters feels very real, making us think about our own society. After reading about this book and the reviews, I realized how much this novel delves into deeper, important, and very realistic, contemporary issues. I think the story's depiction of a future world in trouble is a warning about not taking care of climate change, which I believe a lot of people can resonate with. When Jessica Rose said everyone should read this novel, I agreed because it is powerful and adaptable to other communities, aside from Indigenous communities.
In a video conference, hosted by Aiden Wilson and Cherie Dimaline, I found a particularly intriguing point. Dimaline talked about her creation of a world where people couldn't dream anymore. She mentioned how, if this were possible in reality, it could seriously affect people's mental health. She says if we look at psychology and human health, without the ability to dream, people behave in erratic ways. This got me thinking if it was a reflection of our current society. Dimaline mentioned that initially, she set her story almost a century ahead, but recent events made her believe it could happen much sooner, perhaps within the next twenty years. Overall, the research of this book made me see things differently and understand the need for change in society (7).
Works Cited
(1) About the Author | Victor Valley College. www.vvc.edu/about-author.
(2) Berman, Judy. "The Marrow Thieves." Time, 11 Aug. 2021, time.com/collection/100-best-ya-books/6084702/the-marrow-thieves.
(3) Books, Cbc. "Cherie Dimaline." CBC, 7 July 2022, www.cbc.ca/books/cherie-dimaline-1.4505184.
(4) "Books." My Vxw Site, www.cheriedimaline.com/books.
(5) CBC. "Bestselling Author Cherie Dimaline on the Difference Between YA Versus Adult Fiction." YouTube, 9 Dec. 2019, www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyPJSR72R61.
(6) "Cherie Dimaline | Writers' Trust of Canada." Cherie Dimaline | Writers' Trust of Canada, www.writerstrust.com/authors/dimaline/#:~:text=Cherie%Dimaline%20is%20the%20author,for%20the%20Trillium%20Book%20Award.
(7) Festival, Ottawa Intl Writers. "The Marrow Thieves with Cherie Dimaline." Vimeo, 25 Mar. 2024, vimeo.com/413309771.
(8) Quill and Quire. "The Marrow Thieves." Quill and Quire - Canada's Magazine of Book News and Reviews, uploaded by Dancing Cat Books, 15 Oct. 2020, quillandquire.com/review/the-marrow-thieves
(9) "The Marrow Thieves - Campus Lit." Campus Lit, 8 Mar. 2021, www.yorku.ca/edu/campuslit/the-marrow-thieves.
(10) "The Marrow Thieves." Eastwind Books of Berkeley, www.asiabookcenter.com/store/p2352/The_Marrow_Thieves.html.
(11) "The Marrow Thieves." Kirkus Reviews, vol. 85, no. 14, July 2017, p. 413. EBSCOhost, research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=23563702-120e-3bac-85cf-265352bbfe6d.
(12) "WHO I AM." My Vxw Site, www.cheriedimaline.com/who-i-am.
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