Welcome to Litsy!

I went into this blind and was delighted to learn how unusual the central priest in the story is. To me, this book is mostly about Father Damien getting to know and deeply respect the local Ojibwe people, though that‘s not what the blurb suggests. I really liked this early on, but my attention waned as it went on. I don‘t know if that was me, the book, or the audio, which is bad. (1950s newscaster tone with inconsistent character voices) ⬇️

Another really good book by Erdrich. I love the banter of her characters.

It‘s a really strange story- read the blurb. If you like this author I think you‘ll enjoy this one.

“When you don‘t have a mother, as I never did, you have to make one. Get yourself a piece of clay and shape in your fingers and the shape you always make will be a mother. Or press her together of mud and sticks. Sometimes a tree would do, gnarled around me. Bundles of reeds. I used a blanket rolled and bunched in the shape of her. Rags. Sometimes there was a little extra stew in the pot and I stole it and said to myself she gave it to me.”

3 ⭐
I enjoyed the story but all the different characters in two time periods was confusing.

#WeekendReads
@rachelsbrittain

The grass was white with frost on the shadowed sides of the reservation hills and ditches, but the morning air was almost warm, sweetened by a southern wind.

#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl

This is such an interesting, odd, complex book about so many things - faith and forgiveness, truth and authenticity - all the things that make life meaningful and true. So much of the narrative has a dreamlike quality. You just have to jump in and enjoy it.

I loved this story about Agnes who survives the flood and Father Damien doesn‘t. She decides to take on his identity and lives for years out in North Dakota as a mission priest. NanaPush and Fleur also make appearances again in this book. It‘s like visiting old friends. Truth be told I think all of her novels are good, but some are just better.
#AAM

I‘m starting this one this afternoon. I think this is the only Erdrich I haven‘t read. So far so good! Feels good to read classic Erdrich again.
#AAM

Agnes has spent most of her life as Father Damien, living on an Ojibwe reservation. I love how Erdrich uses this premise to explore notions of gender, identity, spirituality, friendship, & more. The pronouns for this character switch back & forth; he & she enjoys having both Ojibwe beliefs & Christian ones give him & her fulfillment & understanding. It‘s a great story, too, with fascinating characters, actions, & mysteries. I‘ll seek more by L.E.

Husband is out checking on his blind, so I'm getting a few minutes of extra reading in. Soon it will be back home and back to work though

So I'm keen to participate in a fun Litsy swap at some point, but I never seem to know about them until after they happen.

Anyone know of upcoming swaps and who is organizing them? (I'm guessing it might be too late for me to get in on a Valentine's one) #swap

Heading to the sauna to sweat it out again with this amazing book. I find myself only reading a little bit a day as I don't want to be done it.

Taking some time to sweat it out and read in the sauna

"The grass was white with frost on the shadowed sides of the reservation hills and ditches, but the morning air was almost warm, sweetened by a southern wind."

#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl

Some books just need to be picked up at the right time. I love Louise Erdrich and this one has been sitting on my shelf since I bought it at a library sale at least 4 or 5 years ago, but somehow it never felt right to start it. Picked it up today and was immediately drawn in. I guess this was just it's time. Can't wait to continue the journey tomorrow!

This novel (part of the larger Love Medicine set) focuses on Father Damien who is a pretty minor character otherwise. It has through-lines of other stories I know from previous books, but also different perspectives and more information on those stories. And with themes of gender, sexuality, calling, friendship... this might be my favorite yet.

“What is the whole of our existence but the sound of an appalling love?”

This was a slow second reread; it can‘t be rushed or much of the beauty of the writing and meaning is missed, especially since it isn‘t strictly linear or overwritten. Such interesting & complicated characters & intersection of cultures.

It is a mystery to me why I haven‘t particularly appreciated Erdrich‘s other works. It is probably the historical setting of this novel.

Anyone else agree? I do not sleep well unless I read. 😴

Why I volunteer to pick up the kids from school. 😄

Does anyone else struggle, yes I mean struggle, with deciding on whether to spend precious reading time rereading a favorite or moving on to something new to you?

I had such an amazing reading experience with this one and I want to go back, but I also have an exciting TBR.

😂🤣

I have a couple of Erdrich‘s books on my shelves, still unread. This quote makes me think I need to get to them sooner than later.

#love #quotsydec17

"What is the whole of our existence but the sound of an appalling love?"

This book is magnificent!!!

Esquites, a pescado frito taco, and Louise Erdrich. In other words, nirvana.

Thanks for all the fun challenges you sponsor! #LetterLLove @Cinfhen

Thrifty Wednesday finds! I loved Last Report so much, I bought a second copy because all my books were/are boxed up and banished to the basement to make room after the kids came. Last Report reads like 3 distinct novels in one as it traces the life of a strong woman.

I loved this book! Erdrich's prose is stellar and filled with "must read this out loud to whoever will listen" sentences. She tackles so many themes that could bog a novel down - like gender identity and equality, the fine line between visions and hallucinations, mysticism vs. mental illness. I could go on and on. Yet the book is never preachy, the story flows naturally, and humor abounds. I must read her other books about these same characters!

"The vast building echoed and only one small part was still in use - housing a cow, chickens, one depressed pig." With a sentence like that on page 12, you know it's going to be a good book.

Oh my God. This book. The first 100 pages, I struggled, wondered what it was all about. The last 200 pages was an extended, "Oh!" that's what it's all about. Brilliant and beautiful.

"Time is a fish," said Nanapush slowly, "and all of us are living on the rib of it's fun." @24in48

It's taken me a long time to get into this book but at around page 120, it clicked. Sometimes you just have to be patient.

Sitting by our BioLite Stove on the 4th of July eating dinner and reading some Louise Erdrich

Gorgeous book post today! Looking forward to reading this.

"To love another human in all of her splendor and imperfect perfection, it is a magnificent task... Tremendous and foolish and human."
I love love love the way Louise Erdrich writes ??