rachaelwho's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
5.0
Excellent. Masterful. And she's one of the few authors who narrates her own book beautifully, I wish I could give another star for that.
I just wonder why she ended the book precisely on that line. I'm not sure I know what it means.
If you liked Beloved, you'll like this. (If you didn't, I don't know what to say...)
I just wonder why she ended the book precisely on that line. I'm not sure I know what it means.
If you liked Beloved, you'll like this. (If you didn't, I don't know what to say...)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Medical content, Sexual assault, Alcoholism, Child death, Colonisation, Genocide, Grief, Addiction, Bullying, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Dementia, Death of parent, Infidelity, War, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
knkoch's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
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
4.25
A challenging book with a satisfying conclusion.
I’ll admit, I found it really hard to stick with this one. It covers some really difficult topics, and starts so hard, that I found myself eager to read anything but this. I heard someone recently describe some authors as being very talented but their work was so difficult emotionally, almost too devastating to read. They were describing Iris Murdoch (who I feel very differently about), but I’m starting to feel that way at times about Louise Erdrich. Her work is essential, meaningful, giving voice to forgotten stories and overlooked history through deeply realized characters, but damn, it is hard to sit with. It’s not light reading.
I think LaRose felt like one of her most complete and balanced books to me. It’s expertly plotted, structured, and streamlined. No character or event is superfluous, and I felt immensely rewarded in making it to the end. All the threads of plot, historical and contemporary, came together. Every character was necessary to support the whole, and their arcs all made sense as they’d been carefully laid out throughout.
This felt on par with other standalone novels of hers, like The Round House and The Night Watchman. I’m still hoping to read The Sentence later this year.
I’ll admit, I found it really hard to stick with this one. It covers some really difficult topics, and starts so hard, that I found myself eager to read anything but this. I heard someone recently describe some authors as being very talented but their work was so difficult emotionally, almost too devastating to read. They were describing Iris Murdoch (who I feel very differently about), but I’m starting to feel that way at times about Louise Erdrich. Her work is essential, meaningful, giving voice to forgotten stories and overlooked history through deeply realized characters, but damn, it is hard to sit with. It’s not light reading.
I think LaRose felt like one of her most complete and balanced books to me. It’s expertly plotted, structured, and streamlined. No character or event is superfluous, and I felt immensely rewarded in making it to the end. All the threads of plot, historical and contemporary, came together. Every character was necessary to support the whole, and their arcs all made sense as they’d been carefully laid out throughout.
This felt on par with other standalone novels of hers, like The Round House and The Night Watchman. I’m still hoping to read The Sentence later this year.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Child death, Sexual harassment, Suicide attempt, Rape, Drug use, Sexual violence, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Mental illness, Grief, and Bullying
Among the other CWs listed, this narrative deals with forced boarding schools for Native American children.rustynailsfullset's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
highladymila's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-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
5.0
Tragic and beautifully written, Eldridge explores how one fateful act moves through tight knit families and communities, leaving no one untouched. Developing a diverse and detailed cast of characters who are neither the fully good or fully bad, but complex in their emotions as they come to terms, or refuse to come to terms with the death of a child. Told through the eyes of mothers, fathers, siblings, friends, and even the town priest, this book captures the pain and grief as well as the intrinsic strength of families and community centered around LaRose,the little boy who holds the spirit of those who came before.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Suicide attempt, Child death, and Abandonment
bookishcori's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Racism, and Child death
Moderate: Addiction, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Medical trauma
Spoiler
Residential schools for Indigenous children
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