From the Ashes: My Story of Being Indigenous, Homeless, and Finding My Way
Written by Jesse Thistle
Narrated by Jesse Thistle
4.5/5
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About this audiobook
Abandoned by his parents as a toddler, Jesse Thistle and his two brothers were cut off from all they knew when they were placed in the foster care system. Eventually placed with their paternal grandparents, the children often clashed with their tough-love attitude. Worse, the ghost of Jesse’s drug-addicted father seemed to haunt the memories of every member of the family.
Soon, Jesse succumbed to a self-destructive cycle of drug and alcohol addiction and petty crime, resulting in more than a decade living on and off the streets. Facing struggles many of us cannot even imagine, Jesse knew he would die unless he turned his life around. Through sheer perseverance and newfound love, he managed to find his way back into the loving embrace of his Indigenous culture and family.
Now, in this heart-wrenching and triumphant memoir, Jesse Thistle honestly and fearlessly divulges his painful past, the abuse he endured, and the tragic truth about his parents. An eloquent exploration of the dangerous impact of prejudice and racism, From the Ashes is ultimately a celebration of love and “a story of courage and resilience certain to strike a chord with readers from many backgrounds” (Library Journal).
Editor's Note
Raw, stirring memoir…
Jesse Thistle’s raw, stirring memoir has racked up awards and acclaim. As the title suggests, Thistle rises like a phoenix from the flames of an achingly rough childhood, homelessness, and addiction thanks to a combination of grit, resilience, and the loving support of his family and indigenous community. This timely and necessary look at the brutal impact of racism on Native people doesn’t shy away from heart-wrenching details, while also inspiring empathy and hope for a way forward.
Jesse Thistle
Jesse Thistle is Métis-Cree, from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, and an assistant professor in Humanities at York University in Toronto. From the Ashes was the top-selling Canadian book in 2020, the winner of the Kobo Emerging Writer Prize for Nonfiction, Indigenous Voices Award, and High Plains Book Award, and also a finalist for CBC Canada Reads. Jesse won a Governor General’s Academic Medal in 2016, and is a Pierre Elliot Trudeau Foundation Scholar and a Vanier Scholar. A frequent keynote speaker, he lives in Hamilton, Ontario, with his wife, Lucie, and is at work on multiple projects, including his next book. Visit him at JesseThistle.com.
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Reviews for From the Ashes
29 ratings2 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5His story is amazing That he survived and overcame his addictions is a light for other people like him. Thank you Jesse Thistle
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The struggles and heartache were so deep I often wanted to stop listening. Listening hurt. I had to see it through, I had to know the outcome even though the light was just a needle pinpoint. I am glad I made it to the end.