The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is a short novel for adults and young adults by Sherman Alexie. Albert Spirit, Jr. is the narrator, a 14-year-old boy starting high school on the Spokane Reservation. After a tumultuous first week that sees him suspended from school for attacking a teacher, that teacher encourages him to leave the "Res." Instead of getting good grades and going to college, Albert registers for a school outside the reservation the next day.
Albert describes the abject poverty and insipid alcoholism of the Indians on the Res (many prefer the term "Indian" over "Native American" because the latter implies colonization and Americanization). This contrasts with the spirit, warmth, and intelligence of the main character and his friends and family both on and off the Res. The book is depressing and funny.
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