Three Day Road
The Three Day Road
Kristian Girotto
Block 4
Like all things in life, there will always be standouts. We see the examples of the Olympic athlete, the world-renowned singer, the jaw dropping sports car or even the perfect weather. The word we use for them is “unique”. But what makes these things or people so unrivalled? It is their personal qualities that make them so prominent, and without these qualities they would be no different from any other. And, although difficult, it is possible to create even novels that are remarkable. The story of Xavier, Elijah and Niska and their tales of war, home and ancient traditions, is surely of the most unique novels ever written, and should be considered an unsurpassed gem. The Three Day Road by Joseph Boyden is a compelling story due to its unique qualities of both aboriginal and Canadian perspective, its variation of distinct and raw settings, it’s stark realism and powerful description, and finally its tangled relationships between the 3 main protagonists. Despite being one of countless world-war novels, Boyden’s use of the aboriginal perspective in Canada’s role during WWI makes the Three Day Road a refreshing and ultimately unparalleled read. Unlike its plentiful counterparts, the Three Day Road is told from the point of view of aboriginal main characters (Xavier and Niska). The following excerpt is a brief summary of the novel itself, which remarks on this unique and fascinating point of view:
“Joseph Boyden tells a powerful and dramatic story of two Cree men from Moose Factory, Xavier and Elijah, who experience the horrors of trench warfare in World War I as snipers with the Canadian forces in Belgium and France. Through the perspective of Niska, Xavier's aunt, Boyden presents a parallel story of an Aboriginal woman caught up in rapid cultural change and personal loss. The story is told in flashbacks, alternating between Niska's and Xavier's perspective.” (Bohr) Boyden specifically set-out to honor the
Kristian Girotto
Block 4
Like all things in life, there will always be standouts. We see the examples of the Olympic athlete, the world-renowned singer, the jaw dropping sports car or even the perfect weather. The word we use for them is “unique”. But what makes these things or people so unrivalled? It is their personal qualities that make them so prominent, and without these qualities they would be no different from any other. And, although difficult, it is possible to create even novels that are remarkable. The story of Xavier, Elijah and Niska and their tales of war, home and ancient traditions, is surely of the most unique novels ever written, and should be considered an unsurpassed gem. The Three Day Road by Joseph Boyden is a compelling story due to its unique qualities of both aboriginal and Canadian perspective, its variation of distinct and raw settings, it’s stark realism and powerful description, and finally its tangled relationships between the 3 main protagonists. Despite being one of countless world-war novels, Boyden’s use of the aboriginal perspective in Canada’s role during WWI makes the Three Day Road a refreshing and ultimately unparalleled read. Unlike its plentiful counterparts, the Three Day Road is told from the point of view of aboriginal main characters (Xavier and Niska). The following excerpt is a brief summary of the novel itself, which remarks on this unique and fascinating point of view:
“Joseph Boyden tells a powerful and dramatic story of two Cree men from Moose Factory, Xavier and Elijah, who experience the horrors of trench warfare in World War I as snipers with the Canadian forces in Belgium and France. Through the perspective of Niska, Xavier's aunt, Boyden presents a parallel story of an Aboriginal woman caught up in rapid cultural change and personal loss. The story is told in flashbacks, alternating between Niska's and Xavier's perspective.” (Bohr) Boyden specifically set-out to honor the