Stolen Life: The Journey of a Cree Woman

I chose this book to read for a review assignment, and I must say, I'm glad I chose it. It is the life-story of a woman, the hardships she had to face throughout her life, as seen through her eyes. The book also shows how the judicial system, which we often view as having distinct boundaries, and as having the final hand in society, cannot ultimately be seen as such. While others may view Yvonne Johnson as a "cold-blooded criminal" and her subsequent novel as a "commercial enterprise", it is rather that this book is simply a means for her to have her voice heard, in a world that has silenced her for so long. We all want to have our voices heard, we all want to find our strengths. This book is how she found hers.

I just finished the book about Yvonne and her hardships. I read it in Norwegian, but that did not diminish the affect it had on me. It's unbelievable what some people have to go through, without anyone doing something about it. And then actually surviving it all, amazing!She said it herself in the book that people who have been through hard experiences easier can understand what others have to struggle with. And being as she is a Medicine Woman it is in her blood to try and help, wherever possible. It is also a startling report on how the Natives are still treated in both America and Canada. One can only hope that books like this can help open at least a few peoples eyes...

Tansi,I come from a small reserve in northern Manitoba. What I read in "Journey of a Cree Woman" was unbelievable. I cannot believe how many hardships this woman had to go through, and yet she still continues on. This book really opened my eyes as to what other women go through . This book touched my heart and many times I got shivers down my back. This book is an awesome book, that I recommend especially for women. There are many good things I could say about this book, but there is a limit. I commend Rudy on his awesome work and continuied support with Yvonne. I commend Yvonne for sharing her story with us as it is not easy to tell a story that is nothing but the truth!

Even though I felt like I was reading a novel, there was always the underlying sadness that came from knowing it was all true. Yvonne's story of abuse is heartbreaking because the reader can't help but wonder what kind of extraordinary life she might have led had she been raised in a loving, nurturing environment. Despite her horrendous childhood, she remains an articulate and thoughtful woman who seems to be at peace with the fact that she is a product of unfortunate circumstances. I just finished this book and now I want to buy it for a few of my girlfriends, to share the story, just as I'm sure Mr. Wiebe and Yvonne want to.

While I have found Rudy Wiebe's more recent writing difficult to get into I couldn't put this book down. Yvonne's story is horrendous, almost unbelievable except that it comes through in such a way that the reader is convinced that she really has experienced her life as she and Wiebe have written it. I feel saddened and inspired to do more to understand and support our fellow native Canadians. Yvonne and Rudy, thank you for this book.