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Old School Indian

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Old School Indian

By: Aaron John Curtis
Narrated by: Jason Grasl
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Buy for $19.80

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A Kirkus Editor’s Pick • A Most Anticipated Book of 2025: Cowboys & Indians | Brit + Co | Debutiful Most Anticipated Book of 2025

“With amazing dexterity, Aaron John Curtis’s moving debut novel, Old School Indian, combines raucous humor with respect for ancestral traditions.” —Honorée Fanonne Jeffers, New York Times bestselling author of The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois

"A novel of pure heart and mastery.” ―Morgan Talty, bestselling author of Night of the Living Rez and Fire Exit

"An inspired novel by an author whose voice absolutely sizzles on the page.” ―Nathan Hill, New York Times bestselling author of Wellness and The Nix

A coming-of-middle-age novel about an Ahkwesáhsne man’s reluctant return home and what it takes to heal.

Abe Jacobs is Kanien’kehá:ka from Ahkwesáhsne—or, as white people say, a Mohawk Indian from the Saint Regis Tribe. At eighteen, Abe left the reservation where he was raised and never looked back.

Now forty-three, Abe is suffering from a rare disease—one his doctors in Miami believe will kill him. Running from his diagnosis and a failing marriage, Abe returns to the Rez, where he’s persuaded to undergo a healing at the hands of his Great Uncle Budge. But Budge—a wry, recovered alcoholic prone to wearing punk T-shirts—isn’t all that convincing. And Abe’s time off the Rez has made him a thorough skeptic.

To heal, Abe will undertake a revelatory journey, confronting the parts of himself he’s hidden ever since he left home and learning to cultivate hope, even at his darkest hour.

Delivered with crackling wit, Old School Indian is a striking exploration of the power and secrets of family, the capacity for healing and catharsis, and the ripple effects of history and culture. Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction World Literature Heartfelt Witty
All stars
Most relevant
This book is about Abe Jacobs. That’s his name. That he is an American Mohawk Indian enhances this story. This book references the plight of his people often and that of all tribes.

At the end some woman from Amazon or Audible and says, “We hope you enjoyed this presentation of Old School India.” Exactly the point.

Beautiful story.

The audio presentation of this book helped me get through it. I learned. I became inspired. I am humbled.

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This book is an intriguing and modern take on a traditional story of returning home and finding healing. It provides insight and education into a culture not easily accessible while also shedding light on another culture misrepresented by the masses. The story keeps you engaged, surprised and amused while praying for a healthy ending.

Returning Home, Finding Healing

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what a captivating read. The author has such a unique voice. It was witty and honest and felt authentic.

Such a a unique and captivating story

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Very gifted storyteller and writer. A wonderful read that also movingly touched on the critical importance of language justice.

Brilliant debut

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I love this novel on so many levels. It is marketed as a midlife, coming of age story. And it we see Abe, who has not yet lived up to his full potential, be offered the choice to evolve. With humor, heartbreak, a great deal of cultural insight into the Mohawk people, we witness his evolution. I hope the author writes more books, because I will definitely buy them.

Heartfelt transformation story

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