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Sep. 27th, 2024 09:25 am
the night watchman - louise erdrich
I got this book from the local Buy Nothing group. It's kind of funny because our Buy Nothing group's literary tastes usually consists of the following categories: children's books, cookbooks, and airport thrillers. Oh and outdated self-help books. I have always really liked Erdrich's writing, and this book was a pleasant read about a very unpleasant topic. My only complaint was that it kind of ends a little abruptly and I want to find out what happens to the rest of the characters.
The Night Watchman is inspired by Erdrich's grandfather, who mobilized members of the Turtle Mountain Reservation to fight the termination policies of the 40s-60s, which would have ended federal recognition of the sovereignty of individual tribes. It was not successful for this tribe, but it happened to a lot of other tribes, and the consequences meant that indigenous peoples suffered and died in poverty. It follows the Thomas Wazhashk, and his family and friends as they live their lives, survive, and try to figure life out in a world actively trying to get rid of them. Every character is nicely sketched out, and there are some very funny moments.
The Night Watchman is inspired by Erdrich's grandfather, who mobilized members of the Turtle Mountain Reservation to fight the termination policies of the 40s-60s, which would have ended federal recognition of the sovereignty of individual tribes. It was not successful for this tribe, but it happened to a lot of other tribes, and the consequences meant that indigenous peoples suffered and died in poverty. It follows the Thomas Wazhashk, and his family and friends as they live their lives, survive, and try to figure life out in a world actively trying to get rid of them. Every character is nicely sketched out, and there are some very funny moments.
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