This is an incredibly important, insightful book that has done a lot to challenge my preconceptions about trauma, recovery, and rehabilitation. One of the reasons it proved to be such a lengthy read is because I often had to step away from it and reflect, which is a sign of strong, impactful writing. The subject matter is often very painful, but the lessons I took away from this made it well worth the read.

If I had one critique--and this may come down to a matter of reader preference--it would be that the structure of the book was another reason this was a long read. "Legacy" is a combination of memoir, treatise, and dissertation, and the way the three are stacked together did not mesh well for me. The three often bleed into each other in one chapter, so one incredibly engaging page could be followed by another one of statistics and government reports. Some readers may not have a problem with this; I personally would have preferred more of a demarcation between the three types of book.

That's a minor quibble, though. Even if the whole book doesn't interest you, I recommend skimming it. There's a lot of important things to be said and considered here, irrespective of your origins. ( )

I won this book as part of a giveaway. Many thanks to the author and publisher. This is an honest review.

A very intriguing read about the impacts of colonization and how healing can begin for indigenous people. Highly recommended. ( )

Intelligent, insightful, scholarly, and accessible, this book lays out in detail the impact of colonialism on Indigenous populations. Methot employs current sociological and psychological research to lay out, step by step, the ramifications of forced relocation, institutional racism, residential schools, etc., on generations of Indigenous peoples. She intertwines her narrative with personal stories and anecdotes, walking us through the experiences of a people struggling with the devastating effects of racist policies. A must read for anyone interested in reconciliation - that is, a fairer, more humane society. ( )

Suzanne Methot's Legacy: Trauma, Story, and Indigenous Healing combines her personal story with history and psychology to create an understanding of the consequences of colonization. She demonstrates how abuse and CPTSD creates a cycle that impacts generations. On the personal level, she documents her own legacy of abuse and dysfunction and how a return to traditional ways brought healing. On the universal, she explains the psychological damage of trauma through story, with summary charts at chapter ends.

Methot's book is perhaps more suited for the indigenous population or educators those in the helping professions who work with indigenous people. But I also found her insights applicable in many ways. I found myself thinking about women I have known who demonstrated the characteristics she describes. And I even found myself applying her insights to characters in novels I have read!

I received a free book in exchange for a fair and unbiased review. ( )