A review by fourstringspark
Tracks by Louise Erdrich

emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.25

 

Written after “Love Medicine” but as a prequel to that novel, “Tracks” introduces us to characters and families that people many of Louise Erdrich’s later books. It covers much of the same ground as others – accumulating colonial injustices, tension between the church and indigenous ways, family grievances. The writing is what you would expect from Erdrich – lyrical, dreamy, and “ I need to go back and read that line again” beautiful. This is a less straightforward narrative than some of Erdrich’s other works, though, told by two unreliable narrators in alternating sections. It’s the story of two strong, stubborn women representing clashing cultures. Perhaps apropos of oral traditions, the story of the woman representing the old ways was told not by her, but by a storyteller, who is male. “Tracks” also contains far more magical realism than other books by Erdrich. Overall, a good read that will be enjoyed by anyone who is familiar with the fictional world Louise Erdrich has created.