The memoir documents Thistle's difficult upbringing, struggles with homelessness, addiction and his Indigenous identity, yet is centred on the theme of love.

Jesse Thistle is a Métis-Cree[3] professor at York University[4] who researches Michif road allowance life in mid 20th-century Saskatchewan.

[6] The book documents Thistle's difficult upbringing in Saskatchewan, his father's addiction issues, and being taken into state custody before being cared for by his grandparents in Brampton, Ontario.

[7] From the Ashes details Thistle's struggle with his own Indigenous identity, his relationship with his brothers, his use of drugs, being kicked out of his grandparents home and his time living on the streets in Vancouver, Brampton, Ottawa and Toronto.

[8] As a young adult, Thistle struggles with suicidal ideation,[6] and he is jailed, before finding redemption through university education.