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waterbear0821's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
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
4.25
As with any Pulitzer Prize winning literature, expect beautiful prose…and probably a sense of melancholy. Isn’t that the way of it? This book was excellent. It’s significantly based on the author’s ancestor and a real house resolution to terminate his tribe. The story contains rich historical details and it’s filled with both humor and sadness. I don’t read literature very often because my heart can’t always take it but I would recommend this without hesitation for the interesting, character-based story, the beautiful writing, and the history lesson. As a note, I listened to the audiobook version, which was read by the author - almost always hearing the book read by the author improves it and I suspect it did in this case. The writing shifts between perspectives of characters (and even objects) without warning but I had no trouble following these shifts while listening. I think the depth of perspective only added to the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Trafficking, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Genocide and Sexism
Minor: Domestic abuse and Sexual content
amandar228's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
A story and cast that felt very personal to the author. She had a way to talk about heavy subjects in a way that feels not only relatable but easily digestible.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Racism
tlaynejones's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Colonisation, Sexual assault, Genocide, Confinement, and Racism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Drug use, Kidnapping, Rape, Torture, and Genocide
Minor: Death of parent
birdhouz's review against another edition
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.25
I read this for my book club, and I typically don't go for historical fiction, so I probably wouldn't have picked it up myself, but I really loved this book! I also listened to the audiobook read by the author, and there is so much to gain listening to her tell the story herself.
The novel started pretty slow and I wasn't engaged right out of the gate, but the slow parts in the beginning allow you to get to know the characters, making the more advanced plot hit harder.
The novel started pretty slow and I wasn't engaged right out of the gate, but the slow parts in the beginning allow you to get to know the characters, making the more advanced plot hit harder.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Sexual assault
cantfindmybookmark's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Trafficking, Colonisation, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Addiction, Confinement, Rape, Torture, Sexual assault, and Animal cruelty
sereyn's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Rape
Minor: Death of parent
bookmaddie's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
4.25
I've never read any Erdrich before, so shoutout to my cousin who gave me this book, and the Read What You Own [In Community] challenged hosted by @sitting.wishing.reading and @bookish.cori on IG for getting me to finally pick up a book by her! Because I loved it!
This reading experience was lovely—the short chapters drew me in and kept me reading, and Erdrich's way of storytelling is at once magical, approachable, and deeply felt. The magical moments and people's connections with nature were really beautiful rendered. It made me pause to wish I was reading this elsewhere, but also helped me feel more grounded in place while I was reading. I also loved how the story was based on the life of her own grandfather.
I do think Pixie/Patrice's story felt a little unresolved at the end, but I loved seeing her mature and learn about the world and herself—what she desired, what she wants from her life. The tribal community was really comforting in the way that they all cared for each other when times got tough, through gathering, visiting, or bringing along food or other necessities. It was a really warming experience to read about, especially as modern life can feel so isolating sometimes.
A gorgeous work, and I can't wait to dive in to Erdrich's backlist!
This reading experience was lovely—the short chapters drew me in and kept me reading, and Erdrich's way of storytelling is at once magical, approachable, and deeply felt. The magical moments and people's connections with nature were really beautiful rendered. It made me pause to wish I was reading this elsewhere, but also helped me feel more grounded in place while I was reading. I also loved how the story was based on the life of her own grandfather.
I do think Pixie/Patrice's story felt a little unresolved at the end, but I loved seeing her mature and learn about the world and herself—what she desired, what she wants from her life. The tribal community was really comforting in the way that they all cared for each other when times got tough, through gathering, visiting, or bringing along food or other necessities. It was a really warming experience to read about, especially as modern life can feel so isolating sometimes.
A gorgeous work, and I can't wait to dive in to Erdrich's backlist!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Sexual assault, Rape, and Trafficking
maevebm's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Felt like a truly meh book. The true story it’s based on is extraordinary and an often forgotten part of American history. I thought the descriptions of the setting to be beautiful & really put me in the location. However, the dialogue wasn’t compelling, characters weren’t fleshed out, and the pacing was so slow.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Forced institutionalization
ajroe22's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I liked the tone of this but it overall wasn't my thing. Totally understand how it's other people's though.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
lizgo's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Racism, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Violence