Aaron John Curtis

Old School Indian

Format
$28.00

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.