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taraschn's review
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
eunicek82's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
This was an amazing, intricately plotted book. Presented as a mystery, but really, it’s a family story, a story about inherited traumas, and a story about community and all the ways we connect with each other. I love Erdrich’s writing so much. It’s full of humor and heart.
book_concierge's review
4.0
A family is brutally murdered in 1911 and a lynch mob hastily hangs several Ojibwe Indians living nearby. Decades later the descendants of those involved have intermarried and the stories of what happened have become distorted over time.
Erdrich published sections of this novel previously as magazine short stories. Different sections of the book are narrated by different characters. Unfortunately this does result in a somewhat disjointed story line, jumping back and forth in time between 1911 and 1970s. There is a huge cast of characters and some are known by more than one name. But please, do not let these elements deter you. Erdrich’s prose is lyrical and flowing. I was intrigued and interested in the lives of the inhabitants of this small town just outside the reservation in a corner of North Dakota. The novel deals with issues of identity and self-worth, of knowing and appreciating one’s background and family history, of love and passion, of forgiveness and revenge.
The audio book is well performed by the duo of Kathleen McInernery and Peter Francis James. They are able to differentiate the many characters, whether a young girl or an aging grandfather.
Erdrich published sections of this novel previously as magazine short stories. Different sections of the book are narrated by different characters. Unfortunately this does result in a somewhat disjointed story line, jumping back and forth in time between 1911 and 1970s. There is a huge cast of characters and some are known by more than one name. But please, do not let these elements deter you. Erdrich’s prose is lyrical and flowing. I was intrigued and interested in the lives of the inhabitants of this small town just outside the reservation in a corner of North Dakota. The novel deals with issues of identity and self-worth, of knowing and appreciating one’s background and family history, of love and passion, of forgiveness and revenge.
The audio book is well performed by the duo of Kathleen McInernery and Peter Francis James. They are able to differentiate the many characters, whether a young girl or an aging grandfather.
cat_book_lady's review
2.0
Unfortunately, my first DNF for Erdrich who happens to be one of my favorite Native-American authors. But, instead of focusing on the fascinating culture of the Ojibwe tribe (though the setting is here), she attends solely to the first-love experiences of two teens from opposite families, and I felt it was just so immature compared to her sophisticated, intricate, and marvelously wonderful books she has written later in her life. Perhaps I went in with very high expectations and not giving Erdrich enough credit since this was written more at the start of her career. Still, I contend she is one of my favorites.
sungmemoonstruck's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
5.0
This is a beautifully designed puzzle of a book that plays in a wide variety of genres and masters them all. The way Erdrich weaves together generations and stories at the end is stunning--I honestly had no idea how she was going to pull it together and was amazed at the elegant way she did. Her characterization is subtle and rich, her writing luminous, and each of the different POVs we get feels fully realized and distinctive. This is a reflection on love, history, justice, and what it means to bear witness and it's Erdrich at the height of her powers.
anfishh's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
coleycole's review
5.0
This book is pretty completely awesome. Sprawling family/tribal saga with a lot of satisfyingly loose ends. Great writing. Some funny bits too.
lorenag5's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Mental illness, Death, Grief, Racism, Child abuse, Child death, Colonisation, Death of parent, Dementia, Hate crime, Kidnapping, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Religious bigotry, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Addiction, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Forced institutionalization, Murder, Animal death, Car accident, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Medical content, Rape, Alcohol, Genocide, and Infidelity
checkplease's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 Stars
This is my third book by Louise Erdrich, and the first in her justice trilogy, which I look forward to continuing to read. “The Plague of Doves” captures how a community is composed of individuals who share common experiences and whose lives intersect, but who nevertheless each have their own particular story. I kept being reminded of how, if you throw pebbles into a lake you will see their ripples emanate out, colliding and intersecting while remaining distinct.
Erdrich’s writing, as always, is exquisite. Each character’s story has its own tone and style. The continuum runs from whimsical childhood machinations that reminded me of the wonder of To Kill a Mockingbird, to stories of love and desire, to those that capture the weight of longing and grief, to ones that explore a particular kind of darkness bordering on sadomasochism. This shifting structure is both the delight and the challenge of the book.
In an interview at the end of the paperback, Erdrich said she was intentionally trying to connect events from the past to their impact on characters in the present. I’m not sure I was able to track that so clearly. However, a second read with knowledge of the whole landscape of the town and its inhabitants would probably unlock my understanding.
There were many sharply observed moments and dazzling sentences that I paused to reread. There are also two stunning scenes of nonhuman collectives enacting a kind of violence upon the characters: the titular “plague of doves” and another arresting moment at a pivotal point. And the ending was so good that it made me question my impatience while reading earlier parts of the book. Readers who can savor the writing and surrender to not always knowing how all the pieces connect are best positioned to take in this complex and rewarding book.
This is my third book by Louise Erdrich, and the first in her justice trilogy, which I look forward to continuing to read. “The Plague of Doves” captures how a community is composed of individuals who share common experiences and whose lives intersect, but who nevertheless each have their own particular story. I kept being reminded of how, if you throw pebbles into a lake you will see their ripples emanate out, colliding and intersecting while remaining distinct.
Erdrich’s writing, as always, is exquisite. Each character’s story has its own tone and style. The continuum runs from whimsical childhood machinations that reminded me of the wonder of To Kill a Mockingbird, to stories of love and desire, to those that capture the weight of longing and grief, to ones that explore a particular kind of darkness bordering on sadomasochism. This shifting structure is both the delight and the challenge of the book.
In an interview at the end of the paperback, Erdrich said she was intentionally trying to connect events from the past to their impact on characters in the present. I’m not sure I was able to track that so clearly. However, a second read with knowledge of the whole landscape of the town and its inhabitants would probably unlock my understanding.
There were many sharply observed moments and dazzling sentences that I paused to reread. There are also two stunning scenes of nonhuman collectives enacting a kind of violence upon the characters: the titular “plague of doves” and another arresting moment at a pivotal point. And the ending was so good that it made me question my impatience while reading earlier parts of the book. Readers who can savor the writing and surrender to not always knowing how all the pieces connect are best positioned to take in this complex and rewarding book.
hayley_s's review
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0