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Summary: Come to the "res" and get to know some very special people..
Review: Colorful characters, vivid detail, and a whole range of emotion await the reader that embarks on a journey through Louise Erdrichs' 1985 book Love Medicine. Those who have no prior knowledge of life on an Indian Reservation will come away with a better understanding of Native American life in the twentieth century, while those who are familiar with life on "the res" will certainly find many things to relate to. Erdrich has managed to weave what may at first seem to be unrelated chapters into a colorful history of the lives of the Kashpaw and Nanapush families spanning five decades. Intertwined in the story are many other reservation residents all of whom add their unique contribution to this literary tapestry. Each chapter is written in the style of its' primary character and reflects the individuals' point of view. Family alliances and feuds are played out, relationships become evident, and secrets are uncovered with each turn of a page. Events are often retold elsewhere in the book from another persons' perspective and the plots continue to thicken. Hopes and dreams often give way to stark reality. Some characters remain on the reservation accepting their lots in life and triumph despite personal tragedies, dysfunctional families, and adversity. Other characters don't cope as well and attempt to escape to the city only to find out that no matter where they go they cannot escape themselves or their destinies. Then, there are those that are so tortured by their life experiences that they see no other way out but the ultimate escape from life itself. Yet, despite tragedy and hardship, life endures. Each character has unique coping mechanisms and skills, and philosophy about life. As the book progresses the reader gets to know all the key characters very well. Remarkable throughout the book is the connection and sense of extended family that exists in this community. Especially poignant is the way the matriarchs hold all aspects of reservation life together through good times and bad. Children are fostered as needed without question and raised alongside natural children, frailties accepted, those in need are cared for, eccentricities are tolerated, and indiscretions either forgiven or ignored. Doors are always open to friends and relatives, commodities shared, and family loyalty is a way of life. The community is interdependent on all its' members, as is clearly demonstrated when all the families in the community are included as employees of the short-lived Tomahawk Factory, and reap from both the success and failure of this trailblazing endeavor. The ways and superstitions of the Old World weave their way throughout the book adding interest, and sometimes mystery. Using the personal experiences as a German-Native American and her keen insight into all aspects of life Erdrich brings to light the challenges of everyday life for this marginal population; those that live both in the old world and the new, and sometimes don't fit into either. With her skill at presenting a total picture of modern Native American lifestyle on the reservation the author brings to the readers' consciousness various socio-political messages. The presence of alcohol abuse and its' consequences resurfaces throughout the book both from the abusers' point of view and that of the victims. After an intimate look inside the lives of these fictional characters the root causes of what are often looked upon as hereditary traits become apparent. People need to feel valued, productive, and that there is hope for something better in their lives. Historically, reservation life has encouraged dependency on the government rather than self-sufficiency and entrepreneurship. The effects of parental alcoholism on children in the form of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome also cannot be ignored as a cause of this unfortunate cycle that clearly needs to be broken. Come, spend some time at the "res", and if you aren't ready to leave when you turn the last page don't despair - this need not be the end. Step into the books' sequel The Bingo Palace. One can only wonder and imagine what further adventures and mysteries await within the walls what used to be the infamous Tomahawk Factory!
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Summary: Excellent! Well worth the read
Review: As the Kirkus review suggests, Love Medicine is best taken as a series of stories--it is not exactly in chronological order, and the stories are related only in that they all deal with characters from two sides of a large and complex family. In fact, the family relations are so complex that at times they're downright confusing, and you might want to make a family tree--in pencil. Nonetheless, it is a powerful and compelling book with a sly wit about it; and sometimes it's so beautiful it's painful, as in "Scales," "The Red Convertible," and "Wild Geese." In all honesty the book is probably a masterpiece, as--in the best of van Gogh--it leaves you pondering nuances of what you've witnessed for days afterwards
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Summary: A Different Type of Love Story
Review: In my English class, we were required to read a book written by great women authors. Because I am very indecisive, I did not know which one to choose. I picked "Love Medicine" because I am of a Native American heritage, and I wanted to see if this was just another stereotypical book devoid of any real truths whatsoever. I must admit I was taken aback by the quality of this book. "Love Medicine" is a story of two Chippewa families, the Kashpaws and the Lamartines, whose lives interlace throughout the entireity of the story. The three main characters find themselves caught in a love triangle that lasts through most of their adult lives, and it has a major influence on the lives of their family members. In trying to heal this plight with a love medicine, a plan which goes sour in the end, Lipsha realizes that true love cannot be forced upon another; it is felt deep within the soul. Erdrich's style of writing is what makes this novel interesting. Her attention to detail brings her characters to life, and each story gives the reader insight into the individual's life and feelings. This is truly a great work and a pleasure to read. After really getting into it, I found myself not able to put it down. I would highly recommend this book to anyone.
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Summary: A Different Type of Love Story
Review: In my English class, we were required to read a book written by great women authors. Because I am very indecisive, I did not know which one to choose. I picked "Love Medicine" because I am of a Native American heritage, and I wanted to see if this was just another stereotypical book devoid of any real truths whatsoever. I must admit I was taken aback by the quality of this book. "Love Medicine" is a story of two Chippewa families, the Kashpaws and the Lamartines, whose lives interlace throughout the entireity of the story. The three main characters find themselves caught in a love triangle that lasts through most of their adult lives, and it has a major influence on the lives of their family members. In trying to heal this plight with a love medicine, a plan which goes sour in the end, Lipsha realizes that true love cannot be forced upon another; it is felt deep within the soul. Erdrich's style of writing is what makes this novel interesting. Her attention to detail brings her characters to life, and each story gives the reader insight into the individual's life and feelings. This is truly a great work and a pleasure to read. After really getting into it, I found myself not able to put it down. I would highly recommend this book to anyone.
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Summary: Wonderful book
Review: I was forced to read it for a class and the characters absolutely captivated me! The complex issues of Native American life interwoven with family issues and life issues. This book is very profound and not for the simple minded.
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Summary: A reader from southern Pennsylvania
Review: This is one of the best books I've ever read in my life. Not only because of the stories told in it, but also because of its unusual format. Erdrich follows the history of two Chippewa families that live in the West--general vacinity is Minnesota. In it, every character tells his/her own story but the time periods of the stories do not follow chronological order, for example you may have one story being told in the 1950's, the next in the 80's, and the following in the 70's. It is written from an current American Indian point of view meaning that the time sequence does not follow the same that our society follows, and that Erdrich has characters that face the problems that many American Indian tribes face today. It IS about the Indians... just not the buckskin-wearing, wild horseback-riding people in the history books. It is humerous at times, but very sad. This should open up all reader's eyes as to what it's like to be an American Indian today, and shame us.
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Summary: Well, I'd rather stuff my hand down my throat
Review: Well this book was just terrible. I found myself skipping over entire chapter (it was required reading for school). How complicated and uninteresting can these peoples lives possiblely be. Sorry, but i do not care the entircate details of their pathetic boring lives. I'd rather walk on glass than read the second half of the book.
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Summary: good book
Review: I prefer Bingo Palace and Antelope Wife, but this has merit as well!
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Summary: A rich web of life
Review: In Erdrich's companion novel to Love Medicine, The Beet Queen, a character notices a spider's web in a baby's hair. For that novel and for this beautiful work, the metaphor is duly noted. The characters are involved with each other and in each other's lives through an elaborate, complicated and emotional web that exists among them connecting them and making the episodic storytelling and shifting narrative voices appropriate and enriching. The pay-off in the book comes about half to three-quarters through it, when the reader realizes that the sections are joined loosely and not by any kind of chronology or specific plot line. Read them for the separate jewels they are. (Erdrich is particularly lovely read aloud, but to read this book aloud, all participants must embrace the feelings of chaos that come early on from the narrative method she employs.) In the end, the deeper connections will astonish and amaze.
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Summary: beautiful and sad stories of a family
Review: What i liked best about Love Medicine was the way the characters were portrayed: so very real. Other authors, when dealing with Native American culture, fall short on their attempts to integrate their characters' spirituality with daily life in a believable manner. Some advice: I read The Beet Queen first, and i liked it better that way. I also love the fact that Erdrich uses pretty much the same cast of characters time and time again. After you have read two or three of her books, you get a huge panoramic picture of their world.
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