LaRose

A Novel

By: Louise Erdrich

Narrated by: Louise Erdrich

Length: 14 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

In this literary masterwork, Louise Erdrich, the best-selling author of the National Book Award-winning The Round House and the Pulitzer Prize nominee The Plague of Doves, wields her breathtaking narrative magic in an emotionally haunting contemporary tale of a tragic accident, a demand for justice, and a profound act of atonement with ancient roots in Native American culture.

North Dakota, late summer, 1999. Landreaux Iron stalks a deer along the edge of the property bordering his own. He shoots with easy confidence - but when the buck springs away, Landreaux realizes he's hit something else, a blur he saw as he squeezed the trigger. When he staggers closer, he realizes he has killed his neighbor's five-year-old son, Dusty Ravich.

The youngest child of his friend and neighbor, Peter Ravich, Dusty was best friends with Landreaux's five-year-old son, LaRose. The two families have always been close, sharing food, clothing, and rides into town; their children played together despite going to different schools; and Landreaux's wife, Emmaline, is half sister to Dusty's mother, Nola. Horrified at what he's done, the recovered alcoholic turns to an Ojibwe tribe tradition - the sweat lodge - for guidance and finds a way forward. Following an ancient means of retribution, he and Emmaline will give LaRose to the grieving Peter and Nola. "Our son will be your son now," they tell them.

LaRose is quickly absorbed into his new family. Plagued by thoughts of suicide, Nola dotes on him, keeping her darkness at bay. His fierce, rebellious new "sister", Maggie, welcomes him as a coconspirator who can ease her volatile mother's terrifying moods. Gradually he's allowed shared visits with his birth family, whose sorrow mirrors the Raviches' own. As the years pass, LaRose becomes the linchpin linking the Irons and the Raviches, and eventually their mutual pain begins to heal.

But when a vengeful man with a longstanding grudge against Landreaux begins raising trouble, hurling accusations of a cover-up the day Dusty died, he threatens the tenuous peace that has kept these two fragile families whole.

Inspiring and affecting, LaRose is a powerful exploration of loss, justice, and the reparation of the human heart and an unforgettable, dazzling tour de force from one of America's most distinguished literary masters.

©2016 Louise Erdrich (P)2016 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"As narrator, Erdrich inhabits [the characters] - dark, light, comic, confused - with apparent effortlessness. She delivers with equal ease mythic stories, slapstick nursing home exchanges, teen angst, and all-consuming grief.... To keep the emotions she, as author, has created, Erdrich, as narrator, digs deep. LaRose is a winning story that will leave listeners cheering." (AudioFile)

Amazing Novel, Gripping and Funny

I love the author's own narration, the story, the prose, and the heart of this novel. Louise Erdrich is one of my favorite novelists/ writers--other faves of mine include Toni Morrison, John Steinbeck, Haruki Murakami, Gabriel Garcia Márquez, Sherman Alexie, and Leslie Marmon Silko.

I don't understand why other reviewers said they don't like the narration--perhaps I appreciate what feels like the most appropriate reading for a given narrative, rather than a reading that conforms to an audio book style that feels wooden.

I was happy with the book, and sad that it had to end. It's rare I think to find such literary excellence, depth, humor, and rich history in a story that is also contemporary and relevant. Thanks Ms. Erdrich for LaRose!

Hard to listen to

Would you try another book from Louise Erdrich and/or Louise Erdrich?

I bought this book because the author was highly recommended to me. I am halfway through and don't know if I'll finish it. The author reads the book and that is just what she is doing - reading. There is little intonation in her voice. It's really awful to listen to her!

Would you be willing to try another book from Louise Erdrich? Why or why not?

Maybe - if someone else were performing.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Just awful - very hard to listen to. Droll.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

I don't know. I'm really having a hard time sticking with the story as it is so hard to listen to the author.

Any additional comments?

Let someone else read the book who can give a performance - please.

Beautiful work of art by Erdrich

The characters bloom into round, complex individuals who can surprise even while staying true to their personalities. Lovely work.

Beautiful people

I loved the traditional storyline. The characters were true to life and I can see my own family reflected in them. Thank god for Louise Erdrich!

Wonderful

Such a window into a community and moment in time. Author is a fabulous narrator, I wish she narrated all her books.

A beautiful story told with beautiful writing.

My favorite of her books used to be The Round House. Now it is LaRose. What a combination to have an author with the gifts of voice and acting read this beautiful prose, to apply inflection and interpret it orally as she meant it on "paper". Can't remember if I've ever personally felt a book deserved 5 stars times 3 before.

Extraordinary novel read by the author

Where does LaRose rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

My favorite book of the year! This novel has it all: great plot; beautiful storytelling; skillful narration by the author; unique, engrossing, and memorable characters; depth; cultural commentary (woven into the story so that the reader figures it out, no bludgeoning by the author), and the kind of psychological exploration that leaves us learning about ourselves, not just the characters. I kept putting aside my work and responsibilities so that I could listen to LaRose.

A beautiful story

This is my first Louise Erdich novel but it won't be my last. Her storytelling weaves characters and plots like a fine Indian blanket, rich with color, texture, and tradition.

A book to read more than once

I found this book to be so rich in story and symbology. It's cultural gold. Being from North Dakota myself, such an obscure place, I feel even more connected to her portrayals. Of course, life on the reservation is also obscure--most of us will never visit these places, but Erdrich is a most competent reporter. The glimpse into the humor of the Ojibwe people is a delight. The author's incredible ability to see into people and express that on the page is stunning. In a very good way. Ms Erdrich's narration is good, who knows these characters better than her? And her voice is appealing and comforting. I'm considering listening a second time even though I only finished it yesterday. It's one of those books you do not want to end as the characters have been embeded into your heart..

Storytelling at its finest

I ignored things scheduled on my calendar more than once to keep listening. Lyrical and sad, but crying was only part of the journey.