Rating: 
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.
Rating: 
Summary: Love Medicine
Review: I was required to read this book for 11th grade honors english. I didn't really enjoy it very much, it was not a book i would choose to read myself. Yes, the style of writing was very well done, but the book itself was drawn out and uninteresting. There are so many differnt characters that you never get a chance to get emotionaly involed with any of them. You should have seen the family tree our class made, it was twice as big as my own. If you do happen to read this book i would recomend to take notes. But on the other hand i would never recomend this book to anyone. It didn't give me the feeling of what it was like to live as an native american. They might as well have been living in LA. Personaly, I am upset that i had to read this for school because i got nothing out of it except for a few good inside jokes i have with my friends. But this review is comming from the view point of a 16- year old high school student, and my 20-something teacher seemed to enjoy this book so, thats all i have to say.
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: 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.
Rating:
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.
Rating:
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.
Rating:
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.
Rating:
Summary: Tender stories, Beautiful prose
Review: In the beginning, I had to discipline myself to read this book because the subject and the landscape was so foreign to my own experience. But soon after, I was swept by the drama, the characters and the beautiful writing of this novel. The author masterfully and imaginatively transports the reader to the scenes so that you feel that you are there. As there are multiple characters in this multi-generational story, the reader sees the same stories and incidents, but interpreted from different points of view. It is especially a great eye-opener for anyone interested in the Native American community.
Rating: 
Summary: For book clubs who would rather eat, than read
Review: It's best to maintain a list of characters when reading to keep from flipping back through the pages to determine who beget whom. The ironic humor kept me interested in the book. Unfortunately, there were a number of potentially great themes that were never developed. I recommend the much more imaginative and shorter (about 65 pages) teenage book, "Weetzie Bat",for those interested in the power of love and seeemingly disfunctional families.
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.
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