The Strangers
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Narrated by:
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Michaela Washburn
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Written by:
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katherena vermette
About this listen
#1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER
WINNER OF THE ATWOOD GIBSON WRITERS' TRUST PRIZE FOR FICTION
SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2022/2023 FIRST NATION COMMUNITIES READ AWARD, 2022 MANITOBA BOOK AWARDS’ CAROL SHIELDS WINNIPEG BOOK AWARD, MARGARET LAURENCE AWARD FOR FICTION, AND MCNALLY ROBINSON BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD
LONGLISTED FOR THE 2021 SCOTIABANK GILLER PRIZE
A GLOBE & MAIL BEST BOOK
From the bestselling author of The Break comes a staggering intergenerational saga that explores how connected we are, even when we’re no longer together—even when we’re forced apart.
Cedar has nearly forgotten what her family looks like. Phoenix has nearly forgotten what freedom feels like. And Elsie has nearly given up hope. Nearly.
After time spent in foster homes, Cedar goes to live with her estranged father. Although she grapples with the pain of being separated from her mother, Elsie, and sister, Phoenix, she’s hoping for a new chapter in her life, only to find herself once again in a strange house surrounded by strangers. From a youth detention centre, Phoenix gives birth to a baby she’ll never get to raise and tries to forgive herself for all the harm she’s caused (while wondering if she even should). Elsie, struggling with addiction and determined to turn her life around, is buoyed by the idea of being reunited with her daughters and strives to be someone they can depend on, unlike her own distant mother. These are the Strangers, each haunted in her own way. Between flickering moments of warmth and support, the women diverge and reconnect, fighting to survive in a fractured system that pretends to offer success but expects them to fail. Facing the distinct blade of racism from those they trusted most, they urge one another to move through the darkness, all the while wondering if they’ll ever emerge safely on the other side.
A breathtaking companion to her bestselling debut The Break, Vermette’s The Strangers brings readers into the dynamic world of the Stranger family, the strength of their bond, the shared pain in their past, and the light that beckons from the horizon. This is a searing exploration of race, class, inherited trauma, and matrilineal bonds that—despite everything—refuse to be broken.
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What the critics say
#1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER
WINNER OF THE ATWOOD GIBSON WRITERS' TRUST PRIZE FOR FICTION
SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2022 MANITOBA BOOK AWARDS’ CAROL SHIELDS WINNIPEG BOOK AWARD, MARGARET LAURENCE AWARD FOR FICTION, AND MCNALLY ROBINSON BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD
LONGLISTED FOR THE 2021 SCOTIABANK GILLER PRIZE
A GLOBE & MAIL BEST BOOK
One of:
Quill & Quire's "2021 Best of Fall guide"
CBC's "65 Canadian Works of Fiction to Watch Out for in Fall 2021"
Chatelaine's "5 New Books to Read This Fall"
Toronto Star's "35 Books you need to know about in fall 2021"
CBC's "The most exciting Canadian books coming out in Fall 2021"
Shedoesthecity's "Fall Releases That Should Be On Your Radar"
CBC's "33 Canadian books coming out in September we can't wait to read"
NOW Magazine’s “15 best new books to read this fall”
Elle’s “10 Books You’ll Want to Read This Fall”
“Reminiscent of the hard-scrabble tales of the Métis in the Road Allowance days, Vermette offers up a beautiful, raw testament to those living on the margins. Brilliantly weaving the lives of the Strangers into stories within stories within stories, Vermette’s confident, understated prose walks the reader through the unforgiving reality of the descendants of those who stood with Riel and Dumont, grasping for survival in a world committed to a long-established campaign of dispossession. Cathartic and disturbing, The Strangers offers vital insight into the colonial brutality that still haunts the lives of the Métis.” (2021 Atwood Gibson Writers' Trust Fiction Prize Jury: Rebecca Fisseha, Michelle Good, and Steven Price)
“With its relevant subject matter and poignant prose, Vermette’s second novel is poised to be as triumphant as her first. [In The Strangers], the author crafts another strong, emotional portrait of Indigenous women.” (Canadian Living)
“A searing indictment of the pressures and travails placed on Indigenous women.” —Toronto Star
What listeners say about The Strangers
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- JFair
- 2021-11-05
one of the year's best!
this is not an easy book to read, but it's an important one. it tells the story of a family woman struggling with sorrow, guilt and anger. it illustrates the intergenerational trauma that touches so many lives. at the same time, this is a book about love and hope. You won't be sorry you read it.
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- Louise W
- 2022-12-08
Important story to be told
An important story to be told and to hear. I enjoyed it even when it was hard to hear. Thanks
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- Azutco Always
- 2021-11-17
A beautiful story
Loved this story so much! Especially listening to the audiobook.
I hope that all settlers read this and The Break so that you may understand intergenerational trauma and the legacies of the residential school and foster care system.
Connection to family, culture and community is everything.
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- C.A.B.E.
- 2023-01-13
Amazing book!
I wished this story would never end. The reader of this story was so entertaining and did a fabulous job. The story line was perfect. I hope she writes more books.
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- Anonymous User
- 2022-12-14
Beautiful
Inspiring beautiful story. All the hardships and struggles of these beautiful people/souls. Very much recommend this book.
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- Amazon Customer
- 2022-04-02
Good Not Great
I went in with high expectations after all the accolades this book received and was a little disappointed. It is a good book just didn't blow me away. It is very emotionally heavy so be prepared for that but go in with lower expectations.
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- kayla
- 2022-09-09
loved it
Story and narration were perfect, I couldn't stop listening. if you are looking for a great book, look no further.
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- Amazon Customer
- 2023-07-06
Definitely recommend this book
The author skillfully weaves together the story of four powerful women, each in their own way. Subjects are tough but they’re real. This book doesn’t sugar coat our experiences as Indigenous women. The narration is one the best I’ve ever heard. Made the book come to life.
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- Justina Lynn Driedger
- 2022-10-31
Best narrator I’ve ever heard.
This was an incredible story and the narrator was so good that I did not speed up the reading like I usually do.
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- teacher
- 2023-03-04
One of my favourite listens
I loved this story so much. I didn’t want it to end. The narrator is by far one of the best I’ve listened to. Highly recommend.
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