Draft:Night of the Living Rez

Night of the Living Rez written by Morgan Talty is a 2022 short story collection published by Tin House Books. Set in a Native community in Maine, Night of the Living Rez is a riveting debut collection about what it means to be Penobscot in the twenty-first century and what it means to live, to survive, and to persevere after tragedy.

Plot

In twelve vivid and glowing stories, author Morgan Talty brings to life tales about family and community ties as they deal with a difficult past and an uncertain future, using sharp humor, deep compassion, and keen understanding. One story follows a boy who finds a jar with an old curse, leading to his family's breakdown. Another tells of a man trying to get some pot from a dealer, only to find a friend passed out in the woods with his hair frozen to the ground. A grandmother with Alzheimer's confuses her grandson with her deceased brother, thinking he's come back to life. In yet another story, two friends, inspired by the show Antiques Roadshow, try to steal valuable root clubs from a tribal museum.

All of the stories are narrated in the first person by David, a Penobscot man living on a reservation in Maine. About half the stories occur during David’s childhood and adolescence; in the other half, he’s a young man in his 20s, passing the time drinking and smoking with his friend Fellis, struggling with the effects of opioid addiction and longing for a place to belong in a confusing world. The book's narrative shifts between David's childhood and adulthood, offering a poignant and sometimes darkly humorous look at the challenges faced by the characters. Themes of loss, resilience, and cultural survival are woven throughout the stories, providing a rich and nuanced portrayal of contemporary Indigenous life. The collection is praised for its deep empathy, vivid storytelling, and its exploration of the harsh realities of reservation life.

Reception

Critics have praised Talty's writing for its clarity, empathy, and the way it captures both the harsh realities and small moments of grace in David's life. Amil Niazi writing for The New York Times highlighted the book's ability to weave together seemingly disparate events into a cohesive and powerful narrative that offers a rich picture of what it means to be alive in this context. Talty's depiction of the natural world and the reservation is particularly noted for adding depth to the stories, making the landscape almost a character in itself.

Wall Street Journal