"Thoughtful.[Roesch] delivers."--The New York Times Book Review "Refreshingly honest . masterful. Roesch draws the reader closer and closer to his tightly knit characters and the community that binds them. A totally engaging first novel.and completely unique."--Booklist "What makes this book good is its subtle rendering of village life as a web of relationships that sustain individual and community in a harsh environment.

Yet because the characters are so well imagined, it does so without becoming a sociological diorama . "Same-Same" is a quirky and endearing first novel." --The Star Tribune "The deep and universal desire for connectedness is explored here in stunningly original ways that speak to us all. An exciting debut by one of America's finest young writers." --Robert Olen Butler "To his credit, Roesch deftly avoids clichés such as "walks in two worlds" or passages about Cesar "reclaiming" his heritage. [and] gives us a version of rural Alaska that we can smell, feel, hear and see. It's fresh.captivat[ing].

"--Anchorage Press "A smashing debut.full of beauty, wisdom, and grace."--Sigrid Nunez "Sometimes We're Always Real Same-Same" is the coming-of-age story of a young transplant to the village and explores the painful transition from adolescence to adulthood, the differences between religious and spiritual truths, and the nature of mental illness. It also takes up that age-old question of whether or not the people who we think are crazy might be the sanest among us. It's an ambitious project, and Roesch handles it ably.This is a tightly written, well thought out book.memorable."--Fairbanks Daily Miner "Riveting.

"--PopMatters.com "Teens will enjoy the likeable Cesar's informal laid-back voice and dialogue."--Pennsylvania School Library Association.