The Theory of Crows
by David A. Robertson
Published September 13, 2022
★★★★☆
Matthew is estranged from his 16 year old daughter, Holly, despite living under the same roof. He battles his inner demons and has detached himself from his family, and it doesn't go unnoticed. Acting out, Holly tries to gain his attention with poor decisions and outbursts.
When a wave of grief and tragedy hits the family, Matthew and Holly find unlikely comfort in each other. Together, they embark on a journey to find the family trapline - which becomes a journey of self-discovery and connection as the land breathes new life in their relationship.
This is a book about grief, loss, and healing. It's two different stories, two different experiences, and they knit together masterfully to become this amazing tale of connection and survival.
David is an amazing author and has a way of capturing struggles in a raw and honest way. You can feel his own connection to his ancestors and the land in the way that he tells Matthew and Holly's stories, and it is delivered in such a beautiful way.
This journey is heartbreaking, raw, and relatable. It gives you an inside look into the generational trauma experienced by Indigenous people, including the loss of connection to their land, their language, and their traditions. It also highlights the difficulties with addiction and the failure of the government to support and care for the amazing stories that these families held. Though I am not Indigenous, I have dealt with many Indigenous people in my career, and I am constantly humbled by the amount of strength they have to persevere in the hardest conditions.
I can relate to aspects of Matthew and Holly's story. I am adopted, which, for me, means I have zero connection to my ancestors or their stories. The journey of father and daughter into the wilderness to find their family legacy without directions nor prior knowledge feels very close to me as I struggle to find some semblance of connection in my scattered family tree.
I'm looking forward to finding and picking up David's book Black Water - I've heard his self-narrated audiobook is wonderful. This book would be perfect for those who want to read about the Indigenous experience, but also who want to connect with their inner selves in finding connection within and without. This book is for parents who want to repair ties with their children. For children who want to understand that parents have struggles too. For people who experience different levels of grief and how to explore healthy ways of coping.
Content Warnings:
This book deals with a lot of tough subjects, including anxiety, depression, panic attacks, self-harm, loss of a parent, infidelity, and alcohol abuse. Please read with care.
Where to find The Theory of Crows:
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