Love Medicine is Louise Erdrich’s masterful debut novel, one of the most influential, beloved, and distinguished works of contemporary fiction. It is the unforgettable saga of two families and how their destinies intertwine over the course of fifty years on and around a North Dakota reservation. Here is the book that heralded the arrival of a major voice in American literature.
Love Medicine (P.S.)
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From the Back Cover
The stunning first novel in Louise Erdrich's Native American series, Love Medicine tells the story of two families, the Kashpaws and the Lamartines. Written in Erdrich's uniquely poetic, powerful style, it is a multi-generational portrait of strong men and women caught in an unforgettable drama of anger, desire, and the healing power that is love medicine.
About the Author
Louise Erdrich lives with her family in Minnesota and is the owner of Birchbark Books, an independent bookstore. Ms. Erdrich is a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, and this story—which will, in the end, span one hundred years in the life of an Ojibwe woman—was inspired when Ms. Erdrich and her mother, Rita Gourneau Erdrich, were researching their own family history. Chickadee begins a new part of the story that started with The Birchbark House, a National Book Award finalist; The Game of Silence, winner of the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction; and the acclaimed The Porcupine Year.
Ms. Erdrich is also the bestselling author of many critically acclaimed novels for adults, including the Pulitzer Prize finalist The Plague of Doves and National Book Award finalist The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse. She is also the author of the picture book Grandmother's Pigeon, illustrated by Jim LaMarche.
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More About the Author
Louise Erdrich is the author of twelve novels as well as volumes of poetry, children's books, and a memoir of early motherhood. Her debut novel, Love Medicine, won the National Book Critics Circle Award. The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse was a finalist for the National Book Award. Her most recent novel, The Plague of Doves, a New York Times bestseller, received the highest praise from Philip Roth, who wrote, "Louise Erdrich's imaginative freedom has reached its zenith--The Plague of Doves is her dazzling masterpiece." Louise Erdrich lives in Minnesota with her daughters and is the owner of Birchbark Books, a small independent bookstore.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
35 of 39 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Louise Erdich, the author, is of German and Chippewa descent. The story is about the Chippewa (aka Ojibwa) living on a fictional reservation in North Dakota and how one person's death affects so many lives. Lke a "dark twisting river - the bed is deep and narrow" as it meanders through the land and time.
The first chapter describes June Kashpaw, Chippewa mother and wife, off the Reservation walking down the boom-town of Williston, North Dakota, thinking of taking a bus home to the reservation. She meets a man at a bar, has a brief liaison, and then freezes to death walking home in a snow storm. The stories following cascade and are held together by her death, how her children, husband (Gordie Kashpaw), and others on the reservation are touched by the murder.
The story meanders in a unstructured way through short stories - interconnected - but could easily stand on their own. There are 18 Chapters in the expanded version. Characters from Chippewa and Mixed Blood families talk in mostly first person and connected through relatives or lovers over decades. Each chapter starts with a new character telling a piece of the interconnected story from their viewpoint. It takes awhile to understand which character is talking. The timeline is choppy and hops back and forth from the 1930's to the 1980's. It would have been good to have a "family tree" at the end of the book to see more clearly the interrelationships. However, I feel guilty saying that as the Chippewa don't believe in human measurement - of numbers, time, inches, feet, or quantification - as they are "all just plays for cutting nature down to size." The Chippewa feel the "grand scheme of nature is not ours to measure." The book has many ways to be interpreted and each reader has
There is a raw reality with the unique and eccentric tales of the families (Lammartines, Kashpaws, Lazarres and Morriseys). The reader pieces the complicated puzzle together. We realize that the basics of life are what we all need and want, territory, religion, culture, love, truth, forgiveness, family which are demonstrated in the tales - like the river of life mentioned in the book.
The title "Love Medicine" relates to the Chippewa belief that that geese mate for life - and if a couple eats their hearts, it will cure infidelity.
Louise Erdrich reveals and defends the culture as it clings to the past and clashes with the White Man's overwhelming culture, politics and laws. Like a fabric the weave of interconnectedness's of the tribe is key.
Love Medicine is an unusual book, a challenge to understand, but rewarding as a cultural eye-opener.
The first chapter describes June Kashpaw, Chippewa mother and wife, off the Reservation walking down the boom-town of Williston, North Dakota, thinking of taking a bus home to the reservation. She meets a man at a bar, has a brief liaison, and then freezes to death walking home in a snow storm. The stories following cascade and are held together by her death, how her children, husband (Gordie Kashpaw), and others on the reservation are touched by the murder.
The story meanders in a unstructured way through short stories - interconnected - but could easily stand on their own. There are 18 Chapters in the expanded version. Characters from Chippewa and Mixed Blood families talk in mostly first person and connected through relatives or lovers over decades. Each chapter starts with a new character telling a piece of the interconnected story from their viewpoint. It takes awhile to understand which character is talking. The timeline is choppy and hops back and forth from the 1930's to the 1980's. It would have been good to have a "family tree" at the end of the book to see more clearly the interrelationships. However, I feel guilty saying that as the Chippewa don't believe in human measurement - of numbers, time, inches, feet, or quantification - as they are "all just plays for cutting nature down to size." The Chippewa feel the "grand scheme of nature is not ours to measure." The book has many ways to be interpreted and each reader has
There is a raw reality with the unique and eccentric tales of the families (Lammartines, Kashpaws, Lazarres and Morriseys). The reader pieces the complicated puzzle together. We realize that the basics of life are what we all need and want, territory, religion, culture, love, truth, forgiveness, family which are demonstrated in the tales - like the river of life mentioned in the book.
The title "Love Medicine" relates to the Chippewa belief that that geese mate for life - and if a couple eats their hearts, it will cure infidelity.
Louise Erdrich reveals and defends the culture as it clings to the past and clashes with the White Man's overwhelming culture, politics and laws. Like a fabric the weave of interconnectedness's of the tribe is key.
Love Medicine is an unusual book, a challenge to understand, but rewarding as a cultural eye-opener.
26 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
The dilemma of the colonized in search for an identity which is neither static and backward-facing, nor imposed by the worldview of the colonizer is the subject of Erdrich's Love Medicine. Her winding, free-flowing storyline mirrors her endorsement of the fluidity of family connections, one of the most significant difference between Euro-American and Ojibwa cultures. Defying the strictures of the novel, the anthology, or any other established writing style, Erdrich refuses to abide by the rules of Western traditions of fiction. A slap in the face to any notions of the superiority of such traditions, Erdrich's tales demand attention by being undeniably honest, and evoking empathy for even those characters who represent everything which is in opposition to Western culture, and zeroing in on the painful truths of America's imperialist history without subjecting the reader to a history lesson. One of the most important books on the Native American experience I've ever encountered.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
It just does not seem fair that someone could claim this work as her first novel. It is so intricately woven, and the multiple narratives are so expertly spoken, that I find it very difficult to believe it came from a novice.
At this point, I have read approximately 15 Native American works/novels, including Momaday, Silko, Welch, Dorris, Alexie and Sa--and I think I must say that Erdrich's "Love Medicine" tops them all. It is well thought out...almost too well thought out.
It is funny and disturbing intermittently, but most of all, it is about families, rivals, and life. It is about connections.
Forget the fact that it is a "Native American Novel" and concern yourself only with the fact that it is one of the most engaging stories in contemporary fiction.
Warning: one must be on one's toes while reading this! Snooze for two paragraphs and you may be sorry. Much like Toni Morrison, Louise Erdrich is a very deliberate writer...everything is written for a reason and you had best believe that every little detail is connected to something. This is a book you will insist upon reading at least twice.
P.S. Beware! There are two different versions of this novel out there...one of which is missing four valuable chapters. Before buying or borrowing, make sure your table of contents has "The Island," "Resurrection," "The Tomahawk Factory," and "Lyman's Luck." -Having read the more complete version of "Love Medicine," I absolutely cannot fathom doing without these four chapters. Avoid depriving yourself if possible.
At this point, I have read approximately 15 Native American works/novels, including Momaday, Silko, Welch, Dorris, Alexie and Sa--and I think I must say that Erdrich's "Love Medicine" tops them all. It is well thought out...almost too well thought out.
It is funny and disturbing intermittently, but most of all, it is about families, rivals, and life. It is about connections.
Forget the fact that it is a "Native American Novel" and concern yourself only with the fact that it is one of the most engaging stories in contemporary fiction.
Warning: one must be on one's toes while reading this! Snooze for two paragraphs and you may be sorry. Much like Toni Morrison, Louise Erdrich is a very deliberate writer...everything is written for a reason and you had best believe that every little detail is connected to something. This is a book you will insist upon reading at least twice.
P.S. Beware! There are two different versions of this novel out there...one of which is missing four valuable chapters. Before buying or borrowing, make sure your table of contents has "The Island," "Resurrection," "The Tomahawk Factory," and "Lyman's Luck." -Having read the more complete version of "Love Medicine," I absolutely cannot fathom doing without these four chapters. Avoid depriving yourself if possible.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Erdrich is one of my favorites!
Beautful writing, great characters . I need the map in the front of the book in order to keep track of the families.
Published 6 days ago by Elizabeth M. Sharp
5.0 out of 5 stars
Engaging story
This is a well written group of stories with an interesting concept. It pulled me into the lives and cultures of the characters.
Published 18 days ago by J. Catlett
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love is the only true power
Louise Erdrich never fails to deliver unforgettable characters and situations, in a purely delightful voice. Read more
Published 18 days ago by Margaret H. Lane
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another hit for this Author.
I love her books because of the characters and storyline. Indian reservation life connected to all familes and their lives.
Published 23 days ago by arlene t greenwood
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best books ever written
There are lots of good books, but there are some, like T.C. Boyles's "Tooth and Claw"Tooth and Claw and all his stories T.C. Boyle Stories that REALLY do grab you hard. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Fergus Kennedy
4.0 out of 5 stars
Love Medicine by Louise Erdrich
Erdrich's brilliant prose is ever present in this book too. It made me aware of the tragedy of life in an Indian reservation. Read more
Published 1 month ago by L. bartsch
4.0 out of 5 stars
Overall a good read
I enjoyed this book but was slightly put off by all of the changes in character. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting a taste of the Chippewa nation.
Published 2 months ago by SusanB
3.0 out of 5 stars
A Difficult Book
The book is extremely well written and it makes you think about how Native Americans have been treated in our society and how that has affected their lives. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Nancy S. Budner
5.0 out of 5 stars
great story
Love Louise Erdrich stories. Have read every one she wrote. Love Medicine is so funny in parts that I hurt my sides laughing, then found myself in tears in the next chapter. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Ms. Maurine D. Verberne
3.0 out of 5 stars
It's OK
Maybe it's not what I expected so maybe that's why I'm disappointed. Story was so-so. I have not read Erdrich before so had no idea of her style. Read more
Published 3 months ago by KAAREN NELSEN
