Old School Indian

PRE-ORDER FOR MAY 6, 2025

Old School Indian by Aaron John Curtis

A Kirkus Editor’s Pick | One of the Most Anticipated Books of 2025
“Electrifying. This astonishes.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
A powerful, darkly funny debut about heritage, healing, and coming home.

In Old School Indian, debut author Aaron John Curtis delivers a poignant, razor-sharp novel about identity, family, and the long road to self-acceptance. Abe Jacobs, a 43-year-old Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) man, left the Ahkwesáhsne reservation at eighteen—and never planned to return.

But when a devastating diagnosis and a collapsing marriage bring him back to the Rez, Abe finds himself drawn into a reluctant healing journey under the guidance of his eccentric Uncle Budge—who favors punk rock and tough love over tradition. What follows is a raw and revelatory homecoming that forces Abe to face his past, his culture, and the parts of himself he’s long buried.

🪶 A literary fiction debut blending humor, grief, and cultural identity
🪶 Perfect for readers of Tommy Orange, Morgan Talty, and Louise Erdrich
🪶 An exploration of Native identity, intergenerational trauma, and hope

Format: Hardcover
Genre: Literary Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Indigenous Literature
Audience: Adult readers who appreciate introspective storytelling, sharp prose, and cultural depth

✨ Old School Indian is an unforgettable journey into the heart of modern Native life—told with grit, wit, and extraordinary emotional insight. It’s a must-read 2025 debut already praised for its voice, power, and stunning originality.