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heidihaverkamp's review against another edition
5.0
A young woman on the frontier in the early 20th century is mistaken for a Roman Catholic priest and chooses, for decades, not to correct the misidentification, living as a man and as the cleric of a small Native American community on the Plains and becoming, almost, a part of their families and culture. As a priest myself, I will say that not many authors quite get what it's like to be a clergyperson or parish pastor, but Erdrich absolutely does.
_shania's review against another edition
finished but need to do a reread bcs I took too long to read it lol
annewesterhof's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Although the writing was exquisite, I had a difficult time keeping track of the numerous characters.
booksandquilts's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
eribrin's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
craftygoat's review against another edition
5.0
I hesitated to read this, because Sister Leopolda wasn't my favorite character in previous Erdrich books - she's so dark. But I had a painting project to start, and this was the first book that popped up on Audible, so I decided to give it a try. I'm so glad I did. It was wonderful to revisit some favorite characters from previous books - some characters (such as Father Damien) got an in-depth treatment that they hadn't gotten before, while we saw different sides / different extracts of other characters (especially Nanapush, Margaret, Mary Cashpaw, and Lulu). I loved getting to find out some resolutions from other books. And while this book purports to be "about" Sister Leopolda and her possible sainthood, she's really not the central focus as I'd worried she would be.
Erdrich has such an imagination. This book especially was filled with humor and love and sweetness.
Erdrich has such an imagination. This book especially was filled with humor and love and sweetness.
bizzysteph's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
leighreadsalot's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
gayle_g's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
It took me a long time to finish this book as it was a hard read. It is sad to be reminded of how the social fabric of Native American society, along with all people of color living in the US, has been damaged by the lack of respect shown by white people as a way of subjugation. The suffering brought about by lack of autonomy appears to be especially hard for Native women. The main character is a very strong, wise, and resourceful woman whose kindness and acceptance of the wisdom of native culture provided a better way of working with the indigenous people of Little No Horse. Louise Erdrich's prose and appreciation of nature kept me reading through the tragic events and into the happy times.