GSWS Feminist Book Club - February 2026

A Grandmother Begins the Story

Michelle Porter

Viking (2023)

Our group really enjoyed this book. The narrative structure and style reflect Métis storytelling and oral traditions. The book follows five generations of women, sharing their experiences of kinship, rupture, and healing. Their stories are written in parallel with the story of a bison family navigating similar generational patterns while experiencing enclosure on the plains. We found Porter’s inclusion of characters such as bison and the grassland a refreshing perspective on reciprocity and the interconnection of all things. By featuring themes of birth and death throughout, it draws the reader into a circular story that beautifully illustrates a holistic picture of the spirit world, earth, animals, and humans. 

Rating: 4.5