38 pages 1 hour read

Tomson Highway

The Rez Sisters

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1986

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

The Rez Sisters by Tomson Highway is a two-act play that follows seven women on the Wasaychigan Hill Indian Reserve in Canada as they plan a trip to Toronto for a major bingo game, revealing their dreams and struggles along the way. Sensitive topics such as sexual assault, domestic violence, and illness are discussed throughout the play.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Tomson Highway's The Rez Sisters is lauded for its vibrant portrayal of Indigenous women and their dreams, interwoven with humor and heartache. Critics praise its rich character development and cultural resonance. Some note the play can feel disjointed or overly ambitious, but it remains a powerful, essential work that explores personal and communal resilience.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Rez Sisters?

Ideal for readers interested in indigenous culture, feminist themes, and dark humor, The Rez Sisters will captivate fans of works like Louise Erdrich's Love Medicine or Sherman Alexie's The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven. Those who appreciate dramatic storytelling intertwined with social issues will find this play fulfilling.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Play: Drama

Period

Realism

Themes

Identity: Gender

Identity: Sexuality

Life/Time: Mortality & Death