The Painted Drum

By: Louise Erdrich

Narrated by: Anna Fields

From the author of the National Book Award Winner The Round House, Louise Erdrich's breathtaking, lyrical novel of a priceless Ojibwe artifact and the effect it has had on those who have come into contact with it over the years.

“Haunted and haunting. . . . With fearlessness and humility, in a narrative that flows more artfully than ever between destruction and rebirth, Erdrich has opened herself to possibilities beyond what we merely see—to the dead alive and busy, to the breath of trees and the souls of wolves—and inspires readers to open their hearts to these mysteries as well.”— Washington Post Book World

While appraising the estate of a New Hampshire family descended from a North Dakota Indian agent, Faye Travers is startled to discover a rare moose skin and cedar drum fashioned long ago by an Ojibwe artisan. And so begins an illuminating journey both backward and forward in time, following the strange passage of a powerful yet delicate instrument, and revealing the extraordinary lives it has touched and defined.

Compelling and unforgettable, Louise Erdrich's Painted Drum explores the often-fraught relationship between mothers and daughters, the strength of family, and the intricate rhythms of grief with all the grace, wit, and startling beauty that characterizes this acclaimed author's finest work.

©2005 Louise Eldrich; (P)2005 BBC Audiobook America, Inc. & HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.

Another fabulous work by Louise Erdrich

I dont write many reviews, but over the last year I have come to realize how businesses like Audible base their libraries off of majority requests and favorites, so here I am.

There are many great books by Erdrich and I find myself pulled into the cast of characters through Anna Fields narration. I do wish there were more titles of the related stories narrated by her, and also made available here.

As for this novel, it is a delight to return to this part of the world, into the lives of descendants of characters I loved from her earlier novels Tracks and Four Souls. I have not yet gotten my hands on a copy of Love Medicine which I understand to be another tale of these same people but, I almost feel at this point it may be incomplete without hearing it told from Fields voice.

A tale so painful and clear is rarely told so poignantly, and with every detail of space and person Erdrich brings you emotionally into the healing taking place in the lives of her characters. I’ve never more fully understood the sacredness of a drum, nor will I ever question its purpose or place in the lives of these Native Americans again. I feel as though I have been given a PhD worth of information on the Drum through detail of process, image, and emotional connection that only the very best stories can give a reader.

The Painted Drum is as riveting and harrowing a story as any of the others, I just wish the individual stories were not left so open ended. I find myself feeling this way about other of Erdrich’s novels too. I just wanted to know more about the families and how they moved on, or didn’t, and if there is ever a homecoming for the main character in her native village or not. I guess that’s the best way an author can leave a story, with the audience wanting more, I just hope my fantasy of reading more of these characters can someday become a reality.

Thoroughly enjoyable

I thoroughly enjoyed the story within the story. As a woman connected to my own drum, I learned something more about the depths of each drum as an individual, and the connection to its maker and people.

I also truly enjoyed the story of the women who discovered this artifact and brought it home just in time.

Great story and fabulous narrator

Especially loved the narrator who made the novel come to life. I will listen to it again.

Great listen

If you love Erdrich's novels, you'll love this one too. If you're new to Erdrich, this is a good start. It's a bit less dark and complicated than some of her other stories. Though plenty of heartache in this one too, there's a lot redemption and humor, too. Anna Fields goes a great job as narrator. Highly recommended.

Hurting and healing

Louise Erdrich has composed a beautiful story about life. As Faye, the main character reflects on her life, she is drawn into other lives past and present. Finding and keeping the drum in order to find it's "true owners" provides the opportunity for Faye to learn more about herself and her mother. The writing is succinct, but not spare. I thought the narrator did an excellent job with this book. At one point, I had to check the narrator because I was convinced it was two narrators.