The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Alexie. S. (2007). The absolutely true diary of a part-time indian.NewYork:Little Brown and Company.

 The author introduces himself to the reader stating that he was born with water in his brain. From the beginning Arnold felt he was an outcast in the reservation. When he decides to transfer to Reardan he struggles to find his true identity between his two personalities, Junior the Indian and Arnold the traitor. When he transferred to Reardan he became a traitor to his people.  When Arnold transfers to Reardan he faces the stares of many people. Roger a tough looking guy that gets punched by Arnold after a racist joke.  Roger did not fight back; from there on he respected Arnold.  Arnold also becomes friends with Gordy, the school genius.  Gordy teaches Arnold to really read, something he was lacking.  Then when Arnold sees Penelope for the first time he was mesmerized by her blonde hair and good looks.  They eventually become friends after Arnold finds out she has an eating disorder.  Arnold feels he has two personalities,    With time he made some friends and earned respect from one of the toughest guys in school.  He also was recognized for his great basketball skills.  At the end he decides he is just multi tribal.
The True Diary of a part-time Indian was Alexie’s second novel after getting his start with a collection of shorts stories entitled The Lone Ranger and Tonto fight in Heaven . Being of Native American descent himself, all of Alexie’s works carry those themes as well.  Some of his other works include to other collections of short stories entitled, Ten Little Indians, and War Dances. His first novel is entitled Reservation blues.