Bury My Heart at Chuck E. Cheese’s

Product Description

Why is there no Native woman David Sedaris? Or Native Anne Lamott? Humor categories in publishing are packed with books by funny women and humorous sociocultural-political commentary—but no
Native women. There are presumably more important concerns in Indian Country. More important than humor? Among the Diné/Navajo, a ceremony is held in honor of a baby’s first laugh. While the context is different, it nonetheless reminds us that laughter is precious, even sacred.

Bury My Heart at Chuck E. Cheese’s is a powerful and compelling collection of Tiffany Midge’s musings on life, politics, and identity as a Native woman in America. Artfully blending sly humor, social commentary, and meditations on love and loss, Midge weaves short, stand-alone musings into a memoir that stares down colonialism while chastising hipsters for abusing pumpkin spice. She explains why she does not like pussy hats, mercilessly dismantles pretendians, and confesses her own struggles with white-bread privilege.  

Midge goes on to ponder Standing Rock, feminism, and a tweeting president, all while exploring her own complex identity and the loss of her mother. Employing humor as an act of resistance, these slices of life and matchless takes on urban-Indigenous identity disrupt the colonial narrative and provide commentary on popular culture, media, feminism, and the complications of identity, race, and politics.

Review

“If you’re wondering why the presence of Andrew Jackson’s portrait in the Oval Office is offensive, this is your book.”—
Kirkus
―
Kirkus Published On: 2019-09-01

“[Midge’s] no-b.s., take-no-prisoners approach is likely to resound with twenty-something readers, but the older crowd ought to give Midge a look, too.”—Joan Curbow, 
Booklist
— Joan Curbow ―
Booklist Published On: 2019-09-15

“[A] cornucopia of literary brilliance. The Standing Rock Sioux writer’s wickedly funny autobiography offers laugh-out-loud passages alongside compassionate profiles, bitter sarcasm, and heartbreaking chronicles. Each of the memoirs are short yet potent, compelling the reader to continue while paradoxically causing one to pause to reflect on Midge’s astute observations. Every entry is so well-crafted that the only disappointment you’ll find is when you realize you’ve read them all. Then again, this is a book that demands to be reread.”—Ryan Winn, 
Tribal College Journal of American Indian Higher Education
— Ryan Winn ―
Tribal College Journal of American Indian Higher Education Published On: 2019-12-03

”
Bury My Heart at Chuck E. Cheese’s is timely reading for the fall season, with Midge suggesting “Politically Correct Alternatives to Culturally Insensitive Halloween Costumes,” and proclaiming “Hey America, I’m Taking Back Thanksgiving.” Treat yourself to a fast-moving correction of any vestiges you may have of the stoic, unsmiling Native stereotype and enjoy at least a Tweet or a one-liner from Tiffany Midge. You’re sure to learn something as you laugh.”—Jan Hardy, 
Back in the Stacks
— Jan Hardy ―
Back in the Stacks Published On: 2019-11-15

“Midge is a wry, astute charmer with an eye for detail and an ear for the scruffy rhythms of American lingo.”—Sarah Vowell, author of
Lafayette in the Somewhat United States
 
— Sarah Vowell Published On: 2019-02-23

“
Bury My Heart at Chuck E. Cheese’s drives a spear into the stereotype of Native American stoicism. It is perhaps the funniest nonfiction collection I have ever read. But it is much more than funny: it is moving, honest, and painful as well, and looks at the absurdities of modern America. Midge’s collection is so good it could raise Iron Eyes Cody from the grave and make him laugh till he cries.”—David Treuer, author of
The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee
 
— David Treuer Published On: 2019-02-23

“Tiffany Midge is the kind of funny that can make the same joke funny over and over again. Which means, of course, that she is wicked smart, and sly, and that sh