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nsambhi's review against another edition
2.0
Interesting structure. Not my fave but enjoyable at parts!
emmabeckman's review
4.0
The writing is really wonderful and I definitely want to pick up more by Louise Erdrich, but it was really hard to keep track of how all the characters are related to each other, even with the family tree at the beginning.
pablopicostco's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
medium-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
tinydumptruck's review against another edition
5.0
Beautiful narrative, family tree large and expansive and hard to follow at times, but who’s isn’t? Loved it
lizzer's review against another edition
4.0
At times confusing because of the complicated relationships within this large and fractured family, Louise Erdrich's _Love Medicine_ is, as many have said before me, a masterpiece. The biggest character in the book is absence itself. Absence of the woman who threads all these lives together, absence of home and language and opportunity. The novel is at once a myth woven from the traditional Europeanized Native American archetypes and a brutally real deconstruction of those illusions to reveal the very present pain of imperialization and colonization.
The first book in our _A Year of Reading Xs_, as I've nicknamed 2018's reading project, will be hard to live up to.
The first book in our _A Year of Reading Xs_, as I've nicknamed 2018's reading project, will be hard to live up to.
emdollar's review against another edition
4.0
not my favorite of erdrich’s works, but somehow she manages to portray human experience and its many facets so intricately every time that it still warrants at least 4 stars simply for her writing and insight into the human mind
audiobebop's review
5.0
Review also posted on Book Hangover.
I absolutely loved this book.
Written in somewhat of the same vein as One Hundred Years of Solitude and House of Spirits, Love Medicine follows a family line that is connected through heartache, betrayal, and love.
Erdrich focuses on a community of women who do what is needed to provide for their families and keep some sense of order in their communities and their own lives despite the greed and the sabotage of the men around them. Although it appears these women lead chaotic lives, they remain the glue that keeps the tribe together. The themes of love, grief, strength, and motherhood can be explored through the lives of Marie Lazarre Kashpaw, Lulu Nanapush Lamartine, and June Morrissey (these are my girls, yo).
Marie Kashpaw is my favorite character. She has quotes that slay; one example, "I don’t pray. When I was young, I vowed I never would be caught begging God. If I want something I get it for myself"
Erdrich is a magician. She weaves an amazing story that brutally hits you in the chest and crushes your soul. I honestly have no other words than, read it. Believe me, it's worth it.
I absolutely loved this book.
Written in somewhat of the same vein as One Hundred Years of Solitude and House of Spirits, Love Medicine follows a family line that is connected through heartache, betrayal, and love.
Erdrich focuses on a community of women who do what is needed to provide for their families and keep some sense of order in their communities and their own lives despite the greed and the sabotage of the men around them. Although it appears these women lead chaotic lives, they remain the glue that keeps the tribe together. The themes of love, grief, strength, and motherhood can be explored through the lives of Marie Lazarre Kashpaw, Lulu Nanapush Lamartine, and June Morrissey (these are my girls, yo).
Marie Kashpaw is my favorite character. She has quotes that slay; one example, "I don’t pray. When I was young, I vowed I never would be caught begging God. If I want something I get it for myself"
Erdrich is a magician. She weaves an amazing story that brutally hits you in the chest and crushes your soul. I honestly have no other words than, read it. Believe me, it's worth it.
mad_kling's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
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
I love Erdrich’s writing style, and although I’ve only read two of her books so far she’s quickly becoming one of my favorite writers. It took me awhile to get through this book of hers just because I feel like I have to sit and absorb for awhile after I’ve finished each short story. Not a bad thing at all though.
Lulu Lamartine is my favorite problematic queen.
I only wish I got to learn more about June Morrisey through her own POV, but I understand that the point of her character is to haunt quietly in the background, so it makes sense that we didn’t get that.
Lulu Lamartine is my favorite problematic queen.
I only wish I got to learn more about June Morrisey through her own POV, but I understand that the point of her character is to haunt quietly in the background, so it makes sense that we didn’t get that.
perfectlystill's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5