LaRose

A Novel

By: Louise Erdrich

Narrated by: Louise Erdrich

Winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award in Fiction

Finalist for the PEN Faulkner Award

In this literary masterwork, Louise Erdrich, bestselling author of the National Book Award-winning The Round House and the Pulitzer Prize nominee The Plague of Doves, wields her breathtaking narrative magic in an emotionally haunting contemporary tale of a tragic accident, a demand for justice, and a profound act of atonement with ancient roots in Native American culture.

North Dakota, late summer, 1999. Landreaux Iron stalks a deer along the edge of the property bordering his own. He shoots with easy confidence—but when the buck springs away, Landreaux realizes he’s hit something else, a blur he saw as he squeezed the trigger. When he staggers closer, he realizes he has killed his neighbor’s five-year-old son, Dusty Ravich.

The youngest child of his friend and neighbor, Peter Ravich, Dusty was best friends with Landreaux’s five-year-old son, LaRose. The two families have always been close, sharing food, clothing, and rides into town; their children played together despite going to different schools; and Landreaux’s wife, Emmaline, is half sister to Dusty’s mother, Nola. Horrified at what he’s done, the recovered alcoholic turns to an Ojibwe tribe tradition—the sweat lodge—for guidance, and finds a way forward. Following an ancient means of retribution, he and Emmaline will give LaRose to the grieving Peter and Nola. “Our son will be your son now,” they tell them.

LaRose is quickly absorbed into his new family. Plagued by thoughts of suicide, Nola dotes on him, keeping her darkness at bay. His fierce, rebellious new “sister,” Maggie, welcomes him as a coconspirator who can ease her volatile mother’s terrifying moods. Gradually he’s allowed shared visits with his birth family, whose sorrow mirrors the Raviches’ own. As the years pass, LaRose becomes the linchpin linking the Irons and the Raviches, and eventually their mutual pain begins to heal.

But when a vengeful man with a long-standing grudge against Landreaux begins raising trouble, hurling accusations of a cover-up the day Dusty died, he threatens the tenuous peace that has kept these two fragile families whole.

Inspiring and affecting, LaRose is a powerful exploration of loss, justice, and the reparation of the human heart, and an unforgettable, dazzling tour de force from one of America’s most distinguished literary masters.

Amazing Novel, Gripping and Funny

I love the author's own narration, the story, the prose, and the heart of this novel. Louise Erdrich is one of my favorite novelists/ writers--other faves of mine include Toni Morrison, John Steinbeck, Haruki Murakami, Gabriel Garcia Márquez, Sherman Alexie, and Leslie Marmon Silko.

I don't understand why other reviewers said they don't like the narration--perhaps I appreciate what feels like the most appropriate reading for a given narrative, rather than a reading that conforms to an audio book style that feels wooden.

I was happy with the book, and sad that it had to end. It's rare I think to find such literary excellence, depth, humor, and rich history in a story that is also contemporary and relevant. Thanks Ms. Erdrich for LaRose!

Wonderful

Such a window into a community and moment in time. Author is a fabulous narrator, I wish she narrated all her books.

Hard to listen to

Would you try another book from Louise Erdrich and/or Louise Erdrich?

I bought this book because the author was highly recommended to me. I am halfway through and don't know if I'll finish it. The author reads the book and that is just what she is doing - reading. There is little intonation in her voice. It's really awful to listen to her!

Would you be willing to try another book from Louise Erdrich? Why or why not?

Maybe - if someone else were performing.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Just awful - very hard to listen to. Droll.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

I don't know. I'm really having a hard time sticking with the story as it is so hard to listen to the author.

Any additional comments?

Let someone else read the book who can give a performance - please.

Beautiful work of art by Erdrich

The characters bloom into round, complex individuals who can surprise even while staying true to their personalities. Lovely work.

Beautiful people

I loved the traditional storyline. The characters were true to life and I can see my own family reflected in them. Thank god for Louise Erdrich!