Reviews

3 1/2 Stars. This is one of those books that I know I'll have to read more than once in order to fully appreciate. I think this novel asks a lot of the reader with its magical realism, very different narrators, and just the overall mystery that runs throughout, but even when you're struggling to understand exactly what's happening it's all worth it. This novel presents many questions about the characters and about life in general without always giving the answers, but for me, instead of that being annoying it was beautiful in that it pushes you to keep going forward and dealing with things even when you don't completely understand.

judyward's review against another edition

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4.0

Set in North Dakota in the early 20th century, Tracks focuses on Indian tribes trying to keep what's left of their land and their culture. Each chapter is told by a different narrator--either Nanapush, a Chippawa elder who wants to cling to traditional beliefs and who doesn't want to deal with the U.S. Government for obvious reasons, or Pauline, a young mixed blood who converts to Catholicism and ultimately tries to make herself more holy through self-punishment. A compelling story with compelling themes.

lily_xs's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark funny informative medium-paced

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

4.0

jennazim's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective 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

4.0

Content Warnings

lfordham9's review against another edition

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reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

kellylynnthomas's review against another edition

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4.0

Read for my Ecofem Lit class. Tracks is a really beautiful novel that takes a hard look at the U.S. government's treatment of the American Indians in the early 1900s. It makes you a little sick to read about it, but the characters are great and they make you want to do a little better for the future.

jodubriel33's review against another edition

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4.0

This good is a very good read. Louise weaves a story between two characters, Nanapush and Pauline. Yet, the females are the driving force in this book. If you haven't read any of Lousie Erdrich books this is a good book to start.

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