The Round House

A Novel

By: Louise Erdrich

Narrated by: Gary Farmer

Length: 12 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

National Book Award, Fiction, 2012

One Sunday in the spring of 1988, a woman living on a reservation in North Dakota is attacked. The details of the crime are slow to surface as Geraldine Coutts is traumatized and reluctant to relive or reveal what happened, either to the police or to her husband, Bazil, and 13-year-old son, Joe. In one day, Joe's life is irrevocably transformed. He tries to heal his mother, but she will not leave her bed and slips into an abyss of solitude. Increasingly alone, Joe finds himself thrust prematurely into an adult world for which he is ill prepared.

While his father, who is a tribal judge, endeavors to wrest justice from a situation that defies his efforts, Joe becomes frustrated with the official investigation and sets out with his trusted friends, Cappy, Zack, and Angus, to get some answers of his own. Their quest takes them first to the Round House, a sacred space and place of worship for the Ojibwe. And this is only the beginning.

Written with undeniable urgency, and illuminating the harsh realities of contemporary life in a community where Ojibwe and white live uneasily together, The Round House is a brilliant and entertaining novel, a masterpiece of literary fiction. Louise Erdrich embraces tragedy, the comic, a spirit world very much present in the lives of her all-too-human characters, and a tale of injustice that is, unfortunately, an authentic reflection of what happens in our own world today.

©2012 Louise Erdrich (P)2012 HarperCollinsPublishers

great story

very suspenseful. well done. so vivid, masterful storytelling. one of her best stories ever
super good listen

Simple and beautiful coming of age

The Native American story of growing up during modern times on a reservation is one I’ve “seen” but never heard or known.This book is a beautiful blend of Native American believes and teenage angst. There is wisdom in the telling and the narration is perfect once you get used to it. Give it a couple chapters and you’ll be hooked.

Gripping story, authentic but unskilled reader

The book has interesting plot, vivid characters who are not perfect and at the same time gives an idea of a life on an Indian reservation and an Indian view of the modern world. Now, the reader. He reads with a definite Indian cadence, which adds to the story immensely. The only problem is that he reads like a D student from elementary school who sees the text for the first time, you know, pauses in wrong places, surprised by unexpected adjective, an emphasis which is wrong for the sentence structure. I sometimes felt bad for the book, its beautiful language butchered.
If I had time, I would have preferred to read the book in print, but I would listen rather than not know this novel at all.

Rich and Satisfying

Some visceral prose and enlightening information about sovereignty laws that are frighteningly unjust. Once I adjusted to Gary Farmer’s voice I discovered it really drew me into the story on a deeper level. Am going to listen to it again! Oh and the last line of the book... So good...
Thank you Ms. Erdrich and Mr. Farmer!

You gotta hear this now!

You gotta hear this now!
Another amazing Erdrich listen. Gary Farmer renders it beautifully. Please listen.

Heartbreaking and heartwarming

Loved it! It was assigned for English Literature class. Once i started reading it, i couldn't put it down. Ir hit close to home in a couple areas, but it was an amazing read and I'm extremely happy I got the privilege to read it.

Fantastic story telling

Ms. Erdrich has such a rich cast of characters throughout her series of books- it is worth your time to read every one. Many are performed so well, I have read them twice, and enjoyed them again as audio books. Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Ojibway culture and storytelling
and you won’t be disappointed.

Captivating from the beginning

Would you listen to The Round House again? Why?

I probably wouldn't do a second listen because I know how it ends. But it was a delicious and rich book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Round House?

It unfolds beautifully. I love the way she describes things.

Have you listened to any of Gary Farmer’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Haven' listened to him before

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No

Any additional comments?

Just great. Give it a try!

worst narrator I have ever listened to!

This narrator could not have been worse. He paused at odd places, slurred words, did NOT pause at appropriate places like when there was a scene change, ran dialogue together so badly you could not tell who was speaking and in general massacred this pretty darn good book. What kind of audio producer let this happen? Two paragraphs in, someone should have stopped Mr. Farmer and thanked him and let him go. It is not all his fault--the recording is badly edited and produced, and everyone involved shares the blame. The story is pretty compelling and the characters are memorable, but really, it was a waste of everyone's time and energy making this recording.

A very moving tale

What a story! An eye-opening look into Native American life, a young boy’s experiences, a people caught between their own traditions & those forced on them so unfairly. At times funny yet sad & tragic at others. I was moved & that’s what a great book can do.