Reviews

The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich

doctor_km's review against another edition

5.0

Louise always makes my spirit feel good, and it was good to say 'shnab words again. I would like to cut out parts and read them back to myself every day. Thank you for this blessing, niij

smeyers98's review against another edition

adventurous emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

wesketchum's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

annikamikk's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

campbellstuart's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

bhnmt61's review against another edition

5.0

Previous books I've read by Erdrich have felt a little too much like they were written with an agenda--and even when I agree with the agenda, I have a hard time with that type of book. This one was different. It's just the story of a Chippewa tribe in Minnesota in the 1950s, the families and the times and what their lives were like. There are two sisters, one supporting her family with a factory job, the other who has disappeared in the Twin Cities; there's a young man who falls in love with an abandoned baby; there are parents raising their families however they can while holding on to their traditions; there are a few white people, some of whom "get it," but most don't. Most especially there is Thomas, a tribal leader who is working tirelessly to make sure the government doesn't terminate his people, aided by an owl and the ghost of his long-dead childhood best friend. The Night Watchman makes the same point as the more agenda-heavy books without the agenda being so front and center, and it is a wonderful, heartbreaking read. Highly recommended, but the caveats: it is not a quick read, and some of the many storylines woven in throughout are not as interesting as others. Just keep going. I was more than halfway before I was fully absorbed, even though it is interesting right from the start--and then I didn't want it to end.

bmpicc's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative reflective slow-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? No

4.0

A lot of characters, however the short chapters helped me keep sane as I sorted them all out. By the end, they were each so real to me. I was very impressed with Erdrich's writing and storytelling. I appreciate that this was inspired by her grandfather's life. There is a lot we can learn from others if we are willing to listen.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Sexual assault, and Trafficking

eric_peartree's review against another edition

informative 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? No

3.5

jmneil27's review against another edition

3.0

I might try and reread this one in the future, the audio was fine but just didn't keep my attention.  The subject is very important and although this was fiction it is based on true events.  I enjoyed the main protagonist in the novel and learning more about the history of indigenous people and their fight to maintain/keep their lands.

cardamami's review against another edition

5.0

I like that Patrice is a mysterious baddie and also an over sharer.

"We need it right now." 

"I am beat. Right down to the ground." 

"Then I'll wait the washing." 

This was a big concession. Rose used a tub with a crank paddle, and liked to do her washing early so that she could take full advantage of the sun's drying power. Thomas squeezed love for himself out of her sacrifice, and ate with emotion. 

"My sweetheart," he said. 

"Sweetheart this, sweetheart that," she grumbled.  p.26

Suddenly Doris pressed her foot on the gas and glared athe road. They were flying along, too fast. 

"Slow down!" 

"At least somebody likes you! You and your pixie eyes and cute figure," cried Doris. "Can't you enjoy that?" 

Patrice welled up with misery. p.72

Numbers also attached to people. He saw Pixie as a 26, though she was just 19 years old. But he loved the swoop of the 2 and the snail of the 6. It went with her.

Thomas knew that Louis was not just sitting. He had an allotment on the edge of the reservation, on grazing land……... Louis was really saying that even the small amount of sitting he did was unbearable. p.122

Wood Mountain had begun to worry. The sound she made chopping wood last time had actually aroused him. Just a little. 

The clean split, the sureness of it, the certainty, the sound of her ax meeting the wood.

Something stole into her then. In a new place, with different sounds and different air, that which she had been resisting found purchase. There was a tearing sensation. As if she were being split through the center. And there was a wracking wild beating of her heart. She couldn't breathe. Her arms lifted- if only he were there, to hold her. Her face softened. If only his face would brush her, to kiss her. The snow melted on her tongue.” p.393