Rating: 
Summary: interesting but pointless in many ways
Review: I thought that this book was confusing. There were too many characters and too much going on. I found it to be interesting at some parts but VERY hard to follow. When I was done I did not come away feeling clear about what Erdrich was really trying to accomplish here.
Rating: 
Summary: Splendid
Review: A fantastic piece of art which should be given more credit than it does. The story The Red Convertible in this collection is quite possibly the best piece of literature I have read in a while. A must read!
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Summary: Note to Instructors
Review: "Love Medicine" was my "first" Erdrich book; I hold it in my heart the way one might hold a first crush. Her language is amazing; few other authors hve such a natural and innate ability to commmune with the soul- my soul, anyway.I was shocked by the reviews written here; this is what prompted me to write this review. Why are instructors teaching this book in intro classes? That's like teaching Faulkner in high schools; the point and beauty of the book is guaranteed to be missed. If you're looking for food for your spirit, look to Erdrich. If you're looking for a way to introduce Native American ethnicity into a survey class, please chose another book!!
Rating: 
Summary: Totally confusing!!!
Review: This is required reading for class and I am so confused. If anyone has anything that may help me, i.e. a family tree, suggestions, explanations etc. Please send them to me. Thanks.
Rating:
Summary: sucked hard
Review: The book was definitly written by a retarded author who is full of caca
Rating: 
Summary: NEED A FAMILY TREE FOR THIS BOOK!
Review: If anyone has a family tree for the characters in this book, please let me know ASAP! My college class is reading the book and we are all confused with the family tree, including the professor.
Rating:
Summary: Read it and be addicted!
Review: Just start reading and you will become so involved in the story you will find it hard to stop. The family structure is confusing at first, but stick with it and you will be rewarded. Just hang on... This is a darn good book, and there is more if you want it.
Rating:
Summary: Disjointed, hard to care about
Review: Ms. Erdrich has some good moments. A line here or there worth remembering, one that gives the reader pause. But as a whole, Love Medicine is difficult to follow, more of an impressionist picture of the lives of individuals in several generations of two Indian families, than of snapshots of realities. Covering three generations, Erdrich jumps around, going over the same time and events from different character's eyes. I found it hard to follow. Remember Faulkner's Unvanquished? There are a few moments when this approach works, but on the whole, it is redundant. Her characters talk in sensual ways--they seem to go through life cooking, cleaning, smelling, drinking and smoking. Deep thoughts about fate and society are stated with the same simpleness as the color and design of a dress; sexual scenes are told with dispassionate summary. I don't get to read for long stretches, so I found I did not want to try to think back the previous chapters to remember, "Oh, yeah, she is so-and-so's grandmother." What I did enjoy is the subtle way she shows how our government's Indian policies have played out in the generations of Indians on reservations. But this is not really an "Indian" book. It is a family's histroy. Fuzzy Snapshots of lives told in simple detail-- a little TOO simple?
Rating:
Summary: Very confusing, too many flashbacks, etc.
Review: I absolutely hated this book. There were too many flashbacks. I had to read it for school, and I hated it.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent book
Review: I loved this book. The whole time I was reading it I knew I was in the hands of a professional. Erdrich's style was tight, sharp, witty, challenging. Her story was rich and interesting, and her characters were full and nuanced. We covered family, war, racism, power, addiction, religion, infidelity, love, parenting, fear, sadness, and death - all without losing hope or the storyline. Very impressive. I can't wait to read "The Beet Queen."
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