Karen Charleson
Through Different Eyes is Karen Charleson's first novel, although she has published three science textbooks with McGraw-Hill Ryerson and has had numerous articles and essays appear in such diverse publications as Canadian Geographic, the Globe and Mail, the Vancouver Sun, and Canadian Literature. Karen holds an MA in Integrated Studies from Athabasca University.
She is a member through marriage of the House of Kinquashtakumtlth and the Hesquiaht First Nation on the mid-west coast of Vancouver Island. She is a mother of six, and a grandmother. Along with her husband, Karen operates Hooksum Outdoor School in the traditional Hesquiaht territories that they call home.
Books (1)
Synopsis:
Everyone knows everyone's business in the small fishing community of Kitsum. So when young Brenda Joe fears she might be pregnant, she also worries that rumours will spread quickly. Things look up when Brenda's favourite aunt, Monica returns to Kitsum for Christmas, although she is preoccupied with her own relationship problems. It's become clear to her that the white man she's been living with in Vancouver sees her as his "Indian Princess," his own exotic arm candy, and she's had enough. When she learns about Brenda's secret relationship with a local man, Monica is appalled and goes to set him straight. But is there more to this attractive loner and his hard-partying relations than meets the eye? Come spring, amid their secrets and betrayals, each family member will be tempted down to the water to collect herring eggs from artfully placed hemlock branches. The question is, will they be able to face one another?
Educator Information
Recommended in the Canadian Indigenous Books for Schools 2019-2020 resource list for grades 9 to 12 for English Language Arts.
This work contains topics of substance abuse, sexuality, adultery, and child neglect that are not the focus of the story but still a part of it.
Additional Information
288 pages | 5.25" x 8.00"
Authenticity Note: Karen Charleson is a member of the House of Kinquashtakumlth and the Hesquiaht First Nation through marriage. We have applied the Authentic Indigenous Text label for this reason; however, readers will need to determine if this work is authentic for their purposes.
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