Great story; wonderful narration by the author.

Another great novel by Louise Erdrich; her characters are palpable, her dialogue sounds just like people speak, she creates multiple intertwining plot lines, and she keeps the whole thing moving forward without any apparent effort.

This is a story where the title character isn't really the main--or at least not the only main--character of the story. The novel allows the reader/listener to figure out who might be the center of the novel slowly. I loved this technique. (Of course, like many or maybe all of her books, the "main character" is the entire community described in the book--including the community's history and ancestors.)

The issues that the characters deal with will be familiar to those who have read Erdrich before. She broadens the story by exploring lives of the ancestors of the characters in the book--and the stories they told and still tell.

I am not necessarily a fan of Author-read books. This is an exception. Erdrich's narration was perfect for the book; her phrasing was precise. The minor but consistent changes in her voice indicated which character was speaking, and her accents were spot-on.

11 people found this helpful

Indescribable

Having just finished this book I'm a bit overcome with emotion to put its impact into words. I will say that, as an Ojibwe woman myself, I found it utterly absorbing, beautiful, true, funny, moving, heartbreaking, and by the end I felt joy! She is an incredible writer and we are so lucky as listeners that the author read this book herself. She captures each character perfectly and winds her various stories together to make one cohesive and yet surprising tale that will stay with you. I'm just crazy about this book.

23 people found this helpful

Grief and Love

The novels of Erdrich's have to them a feeling of mysticism -- a breath of earthy magic that always makes me feel like I'm secretly observing something that will disappear or skitter away if I make even a peep. It's best to just simply listen to her beautifully arranged words; put yourself in her hands and know you will be taken into her delicate universe. The most simple and mundane routines that go on in this world become significant, as if every action and every word is a ritual that has bearing on the earth itself. The characters have a sense of wounded animals -- people struggling with the day to day in addition to their perception of a world different from their story of creation and history. Few writers can lay open their characters to the readers with such familiarity and intimacy. Even her most wretched and treacherous characters seem without guile, from the alcoholics that plan on murderous revenge, the young girl set on causing as much pain and trouble as possible, to the drug addict pilfering medications from the old folks home.

With LaRose, Erdrich again draws her readers into the realm of Native history and mythology, specifically that of the Ojibwe Indians of North Dakota, as she has done in several of her previous books. As outlined in the provided summary, Landreaux Iron realizes he has mistakenly shot his neighbor's 5 yr. old son (whose mother is also his sister-in-law). Seeking counsel he follows a King Solomon type of retribution and offers his own son to the grieving parents. They resent the gesture yet at the same time are desperate for their little boy ... “He was Dusty and the opposite of Dusty.” Ancestors rise from history to and walk through this story that ties the past to the present with a connection through LaRose, told in flashbacks about an ancestor with a tragic past also named LaRose. The story is emotionally wrenching, but Erdrich softens the pain with humor and the sweet naivete of children.

The author narrates the book perfectly, simply and without flourish. It feels as natural and organic as the novel, lovely and intimate. Probably a little more accessible than some of her novels and definitely one that stands alone.

30 people found this helpful

Extraordinary novel read by the author

Where does LaRose rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

My favorite book of the year! This novel has it all: great plot; beautiful storytelling; skillful narration by the author; unique, engrossing, and memorable characters; depth; cultural commentary (woven into the story so that the reader figures it out, no bludgeoning by the author), and the kind of psychological exploration that leaves us learning about ourselves, not just the characters. I kept putting aside my work and responsibilities so that I could listen to LaRose.

2 people found this helpful

Atonement, fairness, justice, morality, and family

The premise of this novel is one that I will be thinking about for a long, long time. While deer hunting, Landreaux Iron's errant shot kills his neighbor and good friend's son, Dusty Ravich. Based on Ojibwe tradition and as an act of atonement, Landreaux and his wife Emmaline give their son LaRose to Dusty's grieving parents. LaRose is about the relationships, families, fractures, people, ancestors, and personalities that attempt to deal with the consequences of this devastating event. The cultural contrasts around fairness, justice, and morality are fascinating. The writing is simply beautiful and the book is well worth reading; the audiobook is even better because Louise Erdrich herself narrates it.

11 people found this helpful

A beautiful story told with beautiful writing.

My favorite of her books used to be The Round House. Now it is LaRose. What a combination to have an author with the gifts of voice and acting read this beautiful prose, to apply inflection and interpret it orally as she meant it on "paper". Can't remember if I've ever personally felt a book deserved 5 stars times 3 before.

4 people found this helpful

Author Narration 5 Stars, Story 3 Stars

Seldom does an author narrate his/her own book excellently. Louise Erdich is a notable exception. Her voice, pace, and inflections are all wonderful and the narration is superb throughout. 5 Stars, Louise!

The story is perhaps, just not my cup of tea, but with two-thirds done, I just didn't really care what happened to the characters in the end. That may sound bizarre, but I could find little to relate to or empathize with in the story. Erdich tried hard to make the tragedy that occurred in the opening chapter meaningful to readers, but the characters just didn't have enough of a story and response to elicit my emotions.

Still, if you are interested in Native American tribal history and beliefs, this is a book you will want to hear because it is a grand tale of suffering and atonement.

6 people found this helpful

Disappointed

I was expecting more. The story was full of promise but fell flat. None of the characters was compelling, and I did not find the plot all that engaging. Erdrich bounced around the various characters following the accidental shooting of the child at the beginning, which caused the novel to lose focus.

1 person found this helpful

Make time for this one in 2017!

Read or listen to this beautiful story this year. It's wonderful and worth every minute!

3 people found this helpful

Amazing, again!

Amazing, again!
She creates worlds, storylines and unforgettable characters. We are fortunate to be sure.

1 person found this helpful