≫ Read The Painted Drum A Novel PS Louise Erdrich 9780060515119 Books

The Painted Drum A Novel PS Louise Erdrich 9780060515119 Books

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The Painted Drum A Novel PS Louise Erdrich 9780060515119 Books

I've been looking for stories about interesting women doing interesting things where the love relationship wasn't the only thing going on. This definitely filled that bill. The Baltimore Sun says it is "Her most gloriously lyrical and harshly beautiful book." It is definitely both.

This may not have been my favorite book but I knew from the beginning that I was in the hands of a master story teller and a verbal artist.
I was drawn to the subject and I loved that part of the story even when it is very harsh. And the author's and thinking is captivating. For instance:

"Ravens are the birds I'll miss most when I die. ... If only we did not have to die at all. Instead become ravens. I've watched these birds so hard I feel their black feathers split out of my skin."


Tags : The Painted Drum: A Novel (P.S.) [Louise Erdrich] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. While appraising the estate of a New Hampshire family descended from a North Dakota Indian agent,Louise Erdrich,The Painted Drum: A Novel (P.S.),Harper Perennial,0060515112,Literary,Indian reservations,Indian reservations;Fiction.,Indians of North America,Indians of North America;Fiction.,New England,New England;Fiction.,Villages,ERDRICH, LOUISE - PROSE & CRITICISM,FICTION Family Life General,FICTION General,FICTION Literary,FICTION Native American & Aboriginal,Fiction,Fiction - General,Fiction-Literary,GENERAL,General Adult,Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945),United States

The Painted Drum A Novel PS Louise Erdrich 9780060515119 Books Reviews

This is my second novel by Ms. Erdrich. (First was the Round House). I chose it because I enjoy novels that incorporate native American culture and the New Hampshire setting (my yearly vacation spot) made it intriguing. I also have a friend who paints drums with spirit animals (spiritdrumdesign.com) so it was perfect. I enjoyed the weaving of people, heritage and the metaphorical aspect of the novel. There is an almost spiritual component but a weak one.

I enjoyed the novel but felt the ending was a bit abrupt. I would certainly read other novels by this author. The whisper sync is great.
I really like the writing of Louise Erdrich, the people are interesting complicated and generally good people dealing with real life near or on an Indian reservation They are often a combination
of a mystery and family issues and as well as the dynamics of living in an American Indian community and dealing with discrimination. Unique stories.
the author has a great way of depicting scenes and emotions, through observations that we don't typically express. the story is interesting and reveals how another culture thinks and remembers. Personally, I felt the story ended too soon...I don't know what might have followed, but I was wanting more.)
Most novels I read and finish within days. Louise Erdrich's books are an exception. They are to be savored! I've been reading, and going back and rereading this book for weeks. I don't want it to end, yet, I can't wait to see where the next page will go. I did miss the 'family tree', but I love the interwoven connections within her previous or future books. I find myself pondering which book I would recommend be read first, not having read all of her books, I have no idea...but it doesn't seem to matter! As with all of her books, her prose is beautiful and thought provoking. I find myself paging back and rereading previous chapters. The analogy of her stories being a quilt is so true.
Years ago I tried to read Beet Queen, and couldn't get into it. I can't believe I didn't enjoy it enough to finish it! Time to give that another try! Most books I 'recycle', Erdrich's are keepers!
Sometimes this author's metaphors are a bit hard to follow. It's almost as if she wants the reader to really reflect on the meaning of passages beyond just having some light reading. (I think Toni Morrison said "It's literature" describing her own style of writing and I think this applies to this book as well.) Interesting story that weaves together by the end of the book. Don't expect this read to be light or airy.
I was disappointed in this book. After reading so many positive reviews of Erdrich's writing, and yes she is a National Bestseller, I found this hard going. The beginning was interesting and enticing. However, as much as I enjoyed the fictionalized version of the Ojibwe tribe and its culture, I found it tedious and lost interest quickly. Granted the author's writing is rich in detail and description, she didn't hold my interest long enough to finish, so I stopped for a refresher with another book. I did finish, but with effort. I do plan to read more of her work to prove something to myself if for no other reason at this point.
The novel starts in the present day and is very sluggish at first. Erdrich assumes too much and does not clearly place the reader in an understandable community -- at first. The same is true of the narrator's living situation. She is clearly a grown woman, living with her mother, carrying on a discreet affair with a neighboring sculptor. But why is it so discreet? This is never made clear. One is far into the book before beginning to understand why mother and daughter are together. Indeed, the answer to that question is central to the plot yet it is answered very abruptly, I thought.

Nonetheless, once the drum is introduced, the writing and the story jump to a whole other level. The stories about the drum are truly magical, mesmerizing. I went from slogging through the first part of the book to not wanting to put it down. The creation of the drum and the way in which it is imbued with the spirit of a young girl are the heart of the book and beautifully written. I highly recommend this book, even though you may have to do some work at the beginning to get into it.
I've been looking for stories about interesting women doing interesting things where the love relationship wasn't the only thing going on. This definitely filled that bill. The Baltimore Sun says it is "Her most gloriously lyrical and harshly beautiful book." It is definitely both.

This may not have been my favorite book but I knew from the beginning that I was in the hands of a master story teller and a verbal artist.
I was drawn to the subject and I loved that part of the story even when it is very harsh. And the author's and thinking is captivating. For instance

"Ravens are the birds I'll miss most when I die. ... If only we did not have to die at all. Instead become ravens. I've watched these birds so hard I feel their black feathers split out of my skin."