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slovenlymuse's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
This book was quite touching, and beautifully-written, but could have used some pruning in spots. Mostly, it's a series of anecdotes of the life experiences of Father Damien, a priest who came to the reservation to do missionary work harboring a secret: he is actually a woman who has assumed a priest's identity. A fascinating exploration of how Catholicism intrudes on established religious communities in ways that are at times discordant and at times supportive, and how dogma varies in flexibility between theory and practice. Glad I checked it out!
hadleysbookshelf's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.5
pran's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
4.5
This book is definitely a slow-burn. Especially at the beginning as due to the time-switching, it can take time to join the current of the main story and characters.
However, I found it to be a beautiful book. I love the way Erdrich treats her characters so sensitively and without judgement, and this paired so well with Father Modeste's philosophy of love and refusal to pass judgement on his congregation.
My favourite part of the book wasthe Modeste/Agnes's death. I found it so beautiful that they took ownership of their own death and did it exactly the way they wanted.
Overall it shows the beauty and importance of human connection and the love that can be formed between anyone, when people have an open heart and less judgement.
However, I found it to be a beautiful book. I love the way Erdrich treats her characters so sensitively and without judgement, and this paired so well with Father Modeste's philosophy of love and refusal to pass judgement on his congregation.
My favourite part of the book was
Overall it shows the beauty and importance of human connection and the love that can be formed between anyone, when people have an open heart and less judgement.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Violence, and Death of parent
im_eebee's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was okay? I had to read it for class and it was a lot. I’m happy I read it, it posed a lot of interesting questions, but I don’t think I’m likely to reread it.
pennythewanderer's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
lauradee's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
mrmarvinmouse's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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? It's complicated
3.5
hwurst21's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
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
4.5
christinajcraig's review against another edition
5.0
So utterly enjoyable. So much to soak in, will have to read again. In the top 3 of Erdrich’s books for me.
christiana's review against another edition
4.0
I read this in college, but I still think about it every once in awhile. That's the sign of a good book to me.