From the Ashes Audiobook By Jesse Thistle cover art

From the Ashes

My Story of Being Métis, Homeless, and Finding My Way

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From the Ashes

By: Jesse Thistle
Narrated by: Jesse Thistle
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*#1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER
*Winner, Kobo Emerging Writer Prize Nonfiction
*Winner, Indigenous Voices Awards
*Winner, High Plains Book Awards
*Finalist, CBC Canada Reads
*A Globe and Mail Book of the Year
*An Indigo Book of the Year
*A CBC Best Canadian Nonfiction Book of the Year

In this extraordinary and inspiring debut memoir, Jesse Thistle, once a high school dropout and now a rising Indigenous scholar, chronicles his life on the streets and how he overcame trauma and addiction to discover the truth about who he is.

If I can just make it to the next minute...then I might have a chance to live; I might have a chance to be something more than just a struggling crackhead.

From the Ashes is a remarkable memoir about hope and resilience, and a revelatory look into the life of a Métis-Cree man who refused to give up.

Abandoned by his parents as a toddler, Jesse Thistle briefly found himself in the foster-care system with his two brothers, cut off from all they had known. Eventually the children landed in the home of their paternal grandparents, whose tough-love attitudes quickly resulted in conflicts. Throughout it all, the ghost of Jesse’s drug-addicted father haunted the halls of the house and the memories of every family member. Struggling with all that had happened, Jesse succumbed to a self-destructive cycle of drug and alcohol addiction and petty crime, spending more than a decade on and off the streets, often homeless. Finally, he realized he would die unless he turned his life around.

In this heartwarming and heart-wrenching memoir, Jesse Thistle writes honestly and fearlessly about his painful past, the abuse he endured, and how he uncovered the truth about his parents. Through sheer perseverance and education—and newfound love—he found his way back into the circle of his Indigenous culture and family.

An eloquent exploration of the impact of prejudice and racism, From the Ashes is, in the end, about how love and support can help us find happiness despite the odds. Biographies & Memoirs Indigenous Studies Personal Development Self-Esteem Social Sciences Specific Demographics Heartfelt Memoir Inspiring Feel-Good

Critic reviews

"An exceptionally moving memoir voiced with great steadiness by its author, this audiobook is brimming with details of a life that truly does seem to rise from the ashes. A Métis–Cree man who, for various harrowing reasons, was abandoned by his parents as a child, Thistle tells the entirely engrossing story of his life from a young age to the present day. From his fraught and sometimes abusive familial relationships, his struggle to understand himself within a racist and colonialist society, his deep descent into substance abuse and many, many brushes with death, his titular rise finds him later in life an Indigenous scholar and mentor with strong family and community ties. Thistle is a deft narrator . . . his voice is essential to the story being told. This is a visceral, vital story that shines in its audiobook version."
Powerful Memoir • Touching Story • Superb Narration • Compelling Plot • Honest Storytelling • Resonant Voice

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Jesse Thistle’s life story is touching, heartwarming, reaffirming, and real. From the Ashes recounts his life in great detail and left me wondering how some people are able to turn their lives around because they have a larger purpose in life to fulfill. Jesse’s voice and story will resonate within me for a long time.

A beautiful and touching memoir-Finding your way home

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This book is one of the most amazing pieces of art I’ve encountered.
His words tell of pathways not taken & those others, inexorable in their grip.

stunning

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This is a riveting story of falling from grace, failure and redemption of a tortured soul. Thank you Jesse for your honesty.

Stark reality

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This was a very good book. I found the author's story cultural and informative. I appreciated the honesty and integrity of the stories he told. The descriptive detail kept me engaged. And I am very pleased to hear another Native's story.

Very Good Read

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I have such an appreciation for all that the author shared in this book. It’s an amazing story. The narration by the author added to my enjoyment of the book. I listened to this book over one weekend as I was captivated by hearing the author tell his story. It is such a raw and honest account of all the challenges and difficulties that he faced. I was moved by his ability to overcome so many difficulties and succeed in so many ways. This is a story that’s well worth hearing.

Honest and raw

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