The Round House: A Novel

Written by Louise Erdrich

Narrated by Gary Farmer

Winner of the National Book Award • Washington Post Best Book of the Year • A New York Times Notable Book

From one of the most revered novelists of our time, an exquisitely told story of a boy on the cusp of manhood who seeks justice and understanding in the wake of a terrible crime that upends and forever transforms his family.

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 because Geraldine Coutts is traumatized and reluctant to relive or reveal what happened, either to the police or to her husband, Bazil, and thirteen-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, 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.

The Round House is a page-turning masterpiece—at once a powerful coming-of-age story, a mystery, and a tender, moving novel of family, history, and culture.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperAudio
• Release date: Oct 2, 2012
• ISBN: 9780062204943

Louise Erdrich

Louise Erdrich, a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, is the award-winning author of many novels as well as volumes of poetry, children’s books, and a memoir of early motherhood. Erdrich lives in Minnesota with her daughters and is the owner of Birchbark Books, a small independent bookstore. 

Reviews for The Round House

[anneearney · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I am torn about how to review this book. The characters were vivid, the story lines are interesting, everything seemed realistic and believable, even the fantastic parts. But it didn't come together for me. I think I might have enjoyed the book more if it had been presented as a collection of short stories. There were many interesting stories in the book, both stories that were part of the plot (although I wouldn't say this novel had a strong plot), and stories told by characters. There is a strong coming-of-age element. The story is told in retrospect by the narrator/main character, but without any real reflection or insight, a choice I don't understand. If the narrator isn't going to reflect, why have them tell the story from a point in the future? Anyhow, I plan to read another of Erdrich's novels, because I did enjoy her writing, but overall I did not love this particular novel.

[amillion-863749 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I always love Erdrich's ability to transport me to the daily life of the Ojibwe people. This book is no different, however, it does more. This book focuses on contemporary challenges of Native Americans living on and near reservations: legal, spiritual, social, etc. I won't summarize the story, as so many others have done this well. However, the variety of perspectives, so eloquently represented, show Erdrich's talent in both storytelling and representing complex truths in the characters she introduces to us.

[mojomomma_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Erdrich spins the story of 13 year old Joe, whose mother is raped. because she is unable to pinpoint the location of the crime, it is difficult to prosecute. Joe eventually takes matters into his own hands. Erdrich does a great job telling Joe's story. The characters are multidimensional and interesting and the plot is believeable. Great read.

[librolindsay · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I am totally floored.

[lincolnpan · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book is well reviewed and rated - but i found it impossible to either get into or enjoy. The story is fragmented, the main character/narrator is not endearing and the book lacks some basic momentum/energy. It was just melancholy a read and tough to enjoy.

[booklove2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Thirteen year old Joe has to cope when his mother is viciously attacked on a North Dakota reservation in 1988. Joe, his friends, and his father have to figure out what happened when his mother doesn't talk. Justice is hard when the rules of the reservation don't apply elsewhere. I'm not sure why, but I was thinking of 'The Orphan Master's Son' by Adam Johnson. Maybe a young Joe reminded me of a young Jun Do from that book. It may just be because I have since learned that both books will be featured on The Tournament of Books in March ( themorningnews.org/tob ). I might just have been preconditioned to not enjoy this one as much, as I'd rather there be no competition for the stellar Orphan. It was my favorite for the year I read it. I love the writing style and the unique setting (North Korea). Of course, books about Native American reservations are few, but books about North Korea are even fewer. 'Orphan's' writing style is full and rich with poetic detail. 'The Round House' has more of a matter-of-fact writing style (and no quotation marks in the dialogue really bugged me.) I also know that Erdrich is one of the favorite writers of one of my favorites -- T.C. Boyle. They have similar writing styles, but I think Boyle is better. I love that Boyle uses so many words I don't know yet, and Erdrich doesn't really do that here. I guess you could say Boyle's writing spoiled 'The Round House' for me. Despite a tough subject, here are some funny moments in this one! One involving a 127 year old and his birthday cake (and all those candles) is particularly memorable. But both 'The Orphan Master's Son' and this one are brutal. Gulags, tunnel fighting, kidnappings, and Kim Jung Il will do that. Even something that happens to a shark is haunting. But I feel like 'The Orphan Master's Son' is a brutal place I'd be more likely to revisit. I hope I'm not already defending 'The Orphan Master's Son' for the tournament. If so, it doesn't bode well for me reading any of the other books in the tournament. If I think of 'The Round House' on it's own (which I should do with every book anyway), it is certainly worthy of a read. The characters, setting and plot are memorable and pretty much perfect, but sometimes the writing style makes all the difference. If only I had liked the writing more! The comparisons to Harper Lee's 'To Kill A Mockingbird' are spot on. I was reminded of that one before I saw all of the blurbs mentioning it. I'll be looking forward to reading many more of Erdrich's books, but I'd be a tunnel fighter to defend 'The Orphan Master's Son'. I think I'll go read Johnson's other book 'Parasites Like Us' before any other books are ruined for me because of this!

[flydodofly · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A coming-of-age native American finds himself facing a terrible moral dilemma. We readers are close behind and almost rooting for a 13 year old to become a murderer, because it is the right thing to do. The writing is dense, somehow, rich, like some kind of spicy cake where there are so many ingredients and you can not tell what they are all, but they blend nicely and only sometimes become stronger on your palate. There are dreamlike passages from past times, stories, legends and anecdotes weaving through the current situation which is both political and personal, and difficult on so many levels. An excellent book, but one which was not right for me, or me for it, which ever way around.

[judithrs · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Round House. Louise Erdrich. 2012. The author won the National Book award for this title. She is of American Indian descent and all of her novels concern American Indians. The narrator of this title is a 13 year old boy whose mother is raped. Justice should be quick but in 1988 laws governing crime related to Native American was a tangle of tribal law, local law, and federal law. The aftermath of rape and the horror and terror the victim feels and the effect of this on her husband and son are heartbreakingly and realistically described. I learned a lot from this book and most of it shocked me. It is beautifully written. I recommend it highly

[mikedraper · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The story is narrated by a thirteen-year-old boy who learns that his mother has been attacked and raped. Joe Coutts is with his father, Bazil when Joe's mother isn't home as scheduled for dinner. When they find her, she had rushed home in her car and was sitting there. They learn that she had been assaulted.Joe's father is a tribal judge and Joe believes in justice. However, his mother, Geraldine, won't talk about the attack and his father seems unable to help.His father brings home some of his court files and views them to see if he could identify who the attacker might be. Through this we learn of some of the difficulties of American Indians and white people living near or working near the reservation. The story takes place on the Ojibwe reservation where the author is a member of this tribe.Eventually Joe and three friends decide to investigate and end up at the Round House, a place of worship for tribal members.There is good detail about contemporary life and dealings between Indians and whites. The prose is first class and the character development is such that Joe seems like a person we knew when we were teenagers. His friend Cappy and his grandfather are also well developed characters.Joe becomes a man in the story and learns about life and dealing with non tribal members. There is also an element of spirituality when Joe visits with a Catholic Priest to discuss revenge and the priest gives him lessons on Catholicism. Joe's grandfather is an ancient man who also tells stories of Indian legend.When Joe goes to a powwow, we can almost see the dress of the characters and watch them dance and commune with the spirits.As Louise Erdrich is of the Ojibwe tribe, her writing seems as if she's telling the reader about her family and people she knows.

[deckla_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

You can't argue with Erdrich's expertise in spinning a story. Here she tells the story of Joe, who is looking back on his 13th year, when his mother was brutally raped by a white man. A tale of injustice, revenge, family, community, it reminded me a little of [To Kill a Mockingbird], if it were set on a Native American reservation (though there's not a courtroom scene). Certainly the father is as noble as Atticus. Joe is 13, though, and this is also a coming of age story, with a 13-year-old's perspective on sex and its complications. He hangs out with 3 best friends, and those relationships are expertly delineated. Native American traditions and stories are relayed through a rambunctious but frail elder, and it's interesting to contemplate how those stories relate to the events of the novel.

[theeccentriclady · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I chose to listen to the audio version of this book because it is one of the books being voted on for our local libraries Big Read. I really enjoyed the story line and the setting on an American Indian reservation. The inspiring legends and stories immerse you in the world of Native Americans. The characters were very real for me and I was truly sympathetic with the main family in the story but of course more so with Joe. The 13 year old who feels a duty to bring justice to his Mother for the crime committed against her. I enjoyed how Louise wove in the Catholic beliefs with the Tribal traditions. The dedication of the young men to each other is moving. There are many layers in this story to keep you thinking and reading.

[sugarcreekranch · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

In The Round House, Joe (a Native American) recalls the summer when he was 13 and his mother was raped. The central story is the investigation of the rape, and the difficulties surrounding the prosecution. But the narrative goes off on many tangents and circles back around. It ends up painting a very rich picture of the Indian reservation community and culture, while telling a story with unforeseen twists.I listened to this on audio. The narrator's Native American cadence added to the authenticity, but be warned that is slow. Impatient readers/listeners may prefer the print version.

[pattylouise_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Round HousebyLouise ErdrichMy " in a nutshell" summary...A terrible terrible crime occurs...and the result is what you would expect...the lives of everyone involved are forever changed.My thoughts after reading this book...For me...my own personal reading experience with this book was a gripping and serious one. It takes place on a reservation. A horrible crime is committed against Joe's mother Geraldine. She turns inward...she is not the mother and wife she was before this atrocity occurred. Joe is 13. It is the beginning of summer and he finds himself alone. His father is a judge but everything in the lives of this family just stops. Geraldine stays in her room, his father sleeps alone and the life Joe knew is gone. He has time to think and his thoughts turn to finding out what happened to his mother. Joe needs to find out who did this to his mother in the worst way. Ok...that is sort of the point of the story but the beauty of the book is in following the lives of everyone else involved in this drama. Life on the reservation is the same yet different. Stories abound, lives are intertwined and Joe is always listening and watching and reaching for clues...for answers that are sometimes within his grasp...sometimes completely out of his hands.The story has an amazing ending...one that I thought might happen but was still totally surprised by.What I loved about this book...This author is just a true storyteller. I was lost in her words and stories about life on this reservation. At times I was just praying for Joe and his dad and mom. His dad tried so hard to try to maintain his family. His mom was so sorrowful in her misery. Her life stopped the moment this act occurred. Joe's summer...was one sort of difficult event after another. What I did not love...Hmmm...the perpetrator...it was sad to see such fierce evil. Final thoughts...I found this to be a book that begins strong and stayed strong all the way until the end. It is a mystery unravelling but it is so much more. Be prepared for lots of characters and stories that sort of both shock and captivate.Sent from my iPad2 by Patty!!!

[brenzi_3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Joe Coutts, the thirteen-year-old protagonist of Louise Erdrich’s latest novel, is faced with a moral dilemma that few adults could easily come to terms with. His mother has been violently raped and has retreated into a world of solitude and silence, unable to verbalize anything that will help to identify her assailant. His father, a tribal judge, grudgingly allows his son to join him in examining some files that might lead to a suspect. Once involved, Joe feels an enormous obligation to solve the crime in order to help his parents overcome the state they’re in now.The problem that Erdrich exposes is the uncertainty on reservation land as to what judicial entity oversees crimes involving the Ojibwe population in North Dakota. In the innocent and endearing Joe, she has created a character that faces the reality of reservation life with aplomb and eyes wide open. The biggest problem in his view is a question of justice. As we’ve come to expect from the author, the tale is based in truth and told in spectacular prose.One quibble I would have with this book is that it lacked the sumptuous complexity of her earlier novels and is especially less intricate than the wonderfully multifaceted Plague of Doves, which was a finalist for the 2009 Pulitzer Prize. I missed the non-linear structure that I’ve come to expect from Erdrich. The linear structure she utilizes, telling the story from beginning to end with one narrator, let us get to know Joe very well, but there was no nuance. Hair-splitting for what was a very good book, I guess, and one that I would recommend.

[novelcommentary · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed and admired Louise Erdrich's Round House. The narrator, Joe is a boy dealing with the horror of his mother being raped. It's part mystery as the suspects start to accumulate and part coming of age as Joe realizes that his mother has checked out and his father has grown distant. I have read quite a few of Erdrich's books and this one provided a nice connection to an earlier novel called Tracks. Erdrich, like William Kennedy brings to life a setting that she is able to return to over and over. In this novel the idea of a single 13 year old narrator is a different perspective for the author and at times it gives the novel that Hardy boy feel as Joe and his friends set out to spy on the new priest who may be a suspect. The setting of the reservation also becomes an interesting forum for the author to decry the absurd laws that govern who and who can not be charged with a crime. Still the narrative was well constructed and the ending a bit of a surprise. Overall another great story by a well deserved National Book Award winner.

[poppycock77 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is a haunting tale of a brutal rape on an American Indian reservation and the quest for elusive justice. Set in 1988, it's told from the point of view of the victim's 13-year-old son, who's just beginning to truly notice the world he inhabits. It won the National Book Award for fiction in 2012...deservedly so, in my opinion. I also enjoyed all of the Star Trek: The Next Generation references.

[amyshaff · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the first book I've read by Louise Erdrich. I was reluctant to approach the book because the premise of violence and sexual assault seemed like a difficult subject and an unappealing story for me to embrace. Well, I was taken by the first few pages and didn't stop until I had finished the book in two nights of reading. I loved Joe, the 13 year old narrator who finds himself thrown from his childhood cocoon of safety as he learns what has happened to his mother on the reservation. It sounds like a grim tale but there is comic relief and humor in his exploits with his pals along the way. I loved this novel and will look forward to reading more from Erdrich.

[bonniemarjorie · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

'The sun fell onto the kitchen floor in golden pools, but it was an ominous radiance, like the piercing light behind a western cloud.'In 1988, thirteen year old Joe is forever changed when he and his father come home to find his mother covered in blood. She had been attacked, but she managed to get away to safety. Joe is unable to understand the difficulty behind getting a conviction even though his mother knows exactly who attacked her. The root of the problem lies in not knowing exactly where she was attacked. The approximate location is an area that happens to be so divided that tribal, federal, and state all claim ownership to various pieces. Since the exact location is unknown her attacker can't be prosecuted if its unclear as to what laws would apply.The story was told from the point-of-view of Joe, a teenager, and one having a hard time coming to terms with the changes his life is currently undergoing. He begins drinking and smoking with his friends more often and being a generally rebellious teen. Joe's mother wasn't the only one forever transformed from the attack, his transformation was just less obvious to others.'We read with a concentrated intensity. My father had become convinced that somewhere within his bench briefs, memos, summaries, and decisions lay the identity of the man whose act had nearly severed my mother's spirit from her body. With all that we did, we were trying to coax the soul back into her. But I could feel it tug away from us like a kite on a string. I was afraid that string would break and she'd careen off, vanish into the dark.'Joe's father is a local tribal judge and shortly after the attack he begins bringing case documents home for research purposes and enlists Joe's help. He becomes dismayed to find that his father didn't handle cases of great importance but rather small and petty cases that seemed more like a waste of time. His father explains to him: "We are trying to build a solid base here for our sovereignty. We try to press against the boundaries of what we are allowed, walk a step past the edge. Our records will be scrutinized by Congress one day and decisions on whether to enlarge our jurisdiction will be made. Some day. We want the right to prosecute criminals of all races on all lands within our original boundaries. Which is why I try to run a tight courtroom, Joe. What I am doing now is for the future, though it may seem small, or trivial, or boring, to you."I've seen it done before (and I have no idea why) where quotation marks are left out entirely. I would often read a passage and think it's internal dialogue when in fact it's an actual conversation so I would have to go back and re-read the entire passage to be in the right frame of mind. I'm really not clear as to what purpose it serves by leaving them out, other than confusion. My only other issue was after finishing I was left with the feeling that the book was unnecessarily long (despite it only being 317 pages long). It just felt as if there was too much information that in the end was simply irrelevant. Interesting, but ultimately irrelevant.I enjoyed the obvious amount of research the author conducted in regards to Native American laws and culture. It made the story feel solid, sound, and very much believable. The Round House is an interesting story with a powerful message about how regardless of the centuries of change and advancement, the laws of today still have their flaws.

[epkwrsmith · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

SummaryA terrible crime is committed against Joe's mother. To make matters worse, because of complications between tribal law and state laws, the man who is responsible may never be punished. With the help of his friends Cappy, Angus and Jake, Joe maneuvers between a boy's world and the adult world to help his father find and prosecute the man who attacked his mother...His father, a judge, must carefully navigate a legal system that does not honor Indian laws on the reservation and has failed time and time again through deep and twisted loopholes that go back hundreds of years to bring justice for his people. A story of honor, love, loyalty and survival.What I LikedThe Indian spirit world interwoven within the story and the history of the Ojibwe.The stories of the older generation...still honored...still listened to by the younger generation...even as they walked their daily lives in a modern white man's culture. Grandma Thunder, Grandma Ignatia and Mooshum - just when things would get too intense, the lives of the older generation would resurface...either with a visit from the boys or Mooshum's dreams. What lives they led! Some may think parts of their stories are harsh or even TMI at times, but I think the old stories have to be comprehended from the perspective of the storytellers and how they interacted with one another and survived some of the worst days their tribe had ever experienced. These are the stories that a person could sit and listen to for hours.Linda Wishkob - The Round House is full of tough as nails women...who somehow survive some of the worst trauma and treatment imaginable...Linda's life is one that was on track to be snuffed out early, but she believed her spirit was saved for a reason. I do too.Joe's parents, Bazil and Geraldine - he was her strength and then she was his. Nuff said.What I Didn't LikeFather Travis - creepy Catholic priest...I won't even give him the pleasure of writing about him any more.no quotation marks...I've seen this format several times this year, but it didn't bother me as much in The Round House - I don't ever remember being confused as I read even though I did have to backtrack a couple of times to make sure who was saying what...and if anyone was really saying something or not. The sadness that sometimes life can't be made right again. The loss and the pain stay with the victims forever...and change them...the greatest challenge is surviving.What a story.Overall RecommendationAnyone remotely interested in Native American stories will eat this one up. The Round House will stay with me for a while.

[debs4jc · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

After reading this novel I knew more about and I cared more about the injustice that Native Americans face every day. That speaks volumes to the power of Erdich's storytelling, as she uses the voice of a 13 year old boy to draw the reader into a story where a powerful white man commits a sordid crime against a Native American woman. The woman Geraldine, the 13 year old boy is Joe and his world is shattered when his vibrant mother is suddenly transformed into a shell of what she once was by a violent attack. Joe's father is a tribal judge, so you would expect he would know how to make sure that his wife's attacker is captured and prosecuted. However the location of the attack is unclear and the laws regarding who governs reservation land render Joe's dad and Joe's community powerless. In between moments of normal teenage fun with his friends and learning about Native American ways from his elders, Joe gradually learns more and more about what happened to his mother and how powerless his family is to stop her attacker. He then faces an awful choice--should he take the law into his own hands?This book, though it tackles a grim subject, is also filled with lighthearted moments as Joe and his friends indulge in the normal escapades of youth--such as fooling around with girls and antagonizing the local Catholic priest. The reader also gets to experience life on a reservation through Joe's interactions with his bawdy older female relatives, the stories his ancient great uncle, and the pow wow gatherings he attends. These all mesh together to make for a highly enjoyable and thought provoking read. It was an excellent choice for our book discussion group, as the issues of justice it raised gave us plenty to talk about and we were also able to laugh over some of Joe's adventures.

[donna828 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Joe Coutts turns 13 in the summer of 1988 on the North Dakota reservation that is the setting of many of Erdrich's previous books. It's also the summer when his mother, a tribal clerk who works with sensitive (i.e., secretive) ancestry information, comes home seriously injured after a brutal rape that leaves her in shock and incommunicado. Joe's father is a tribal judge who works within the system to seek justice. Joe is only 13, but he is intent on finding out exactly what happened in the Round House, a place built by his Ojibwe ancestors as a sacred place of worship. Joe and his three buddies combine their sense of adventure and comradeship to solve the mystery.Erdrich has written a wonderfully suspenseful book about strong family (and friend) ties that involves the conflict of a deep moral struggle. Her coming-of-age tale propels Joe from carefree boyhood to making decisions that would test a man of the world. Joe learns that justice is not a simple matter and that it always comes with a price. This book is Erdrich at her best -- and she's always very good. Highly recommended.

[twopairsofglasses · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Possibly the best book I have read this year. What a gift Louise Erdrich has, to completely inhabit the mind and heart of a thirteen year old boy as well as to animate such a diverse cast of utterly real characters. On top of that, a story of page turning tension, humor, and beautiful spare language. Amazingly good.

[zoes_human · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Beautiful and poignant. It breaks the heart while illuminating the mind.

[leslie398 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Powerful story about how a brutal rape affects a boy, his family, and his friends and the community. The basic plot could have taken place almost anywhere, but the true interest in this book is the look it gives into the Native American community (in this case in North Dakota). Not since Tony Hillerman have I read something that felt so authentic about Native American life. The heartwrenching part is that the American government and many individuals (the "white man") still treat these people as if they are somehow less worthy than others. I was shocked by the information in the afterword that 33% or more Native American women are victims of rape (actual numbers are unknown due to the reluctance of the women to report the crime).

[klburnside · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book was sad, but I liked it. I don't think it will stick with me.

[scatterall-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Strong story, satisfying all the way through, beautifully well-written, clear and real. Doesn't let you off from the horror story at the center, but balances it with humor and ordinary life so that you don't want to turn away. Made me exclaim aloud a couple of times. Has to be one of our best living novelists.

[sparkleponies · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Joe is 13 and growing up on a reservation in ND when his mother is brutally attacked. The story revolves around his summer as he and his friends grow up and do normal teen age things while he simultaneously tries to solve the question of who attacked his mother and seeks justice. Story is very realistic, characters are believable and will stay with you. Would recommend only for older teen readers who are more mature.

[msaucier818 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I have discovered a new author that I enjoy very much. Louise Erdrich's novel won the National Book Award, and sometimes that can be a big hit or miss with how much I enjoy it. This one was a hit for me as I loved her writing style, character development, and the fact that she did not necessarily shoot for the happy ending throughout the book. The look into Native American culture of the upper Mid-West was also very well done and I felt immersed in the setting. I look forward to reading more of this author in the future.

[jasonlf · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I have mixed feeling about The Round House. It is a beautifully written coming of age story that is populated with beautifully drawn, very sympathetic characters. The story itself is compelling and painful. It is set on a Chippewa reservation in South Dakota, and through flashbacks and memories recounts a tangle of stories from the past that inform the novel, but many of these flashbacks and memories felt to me like they detracted from the narrative. Plus you could tell that many of the characters lived in other books so you were only getting part of Louise Erdrich's vision.The story is about a man named Joe looking back on his boyhood in 1988, beginning with the extremely violent rape of his mother, her almost complete withdrawal from life following it, and his attempts with his father, a tribal judge, to bring about justice. Over the course of the story Joe becomes disillusioned with the smallness of the tribal law his father is limited to judging, and then this smallness takes over and shapes the outcome and response to his mother's rape. It does not have the feel of a mystery or a thriller and the culprit is revealed about halfway through the book, but it does depict Joe's bonding with his friends as they somewhat comically and ineffectually work together to track down the perpetrator of the crime.All of this said, I'm not sure where my mixed feelings come from, it is just that as much as I enjoyed and appreciated it, I didn't feel myself rushing to go back and read previous Louise Erdrich novels. But I wouldn't rule it out either.

[amandacb_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Round House is a fantastically well-written bildungsroman novel set on a Native American reservation. I found that the crime, as horrific as it is, is not anything newly-touched in literature, the setting brought new layers of meaning and complications to the plot. I was not fully satisfied with the ending but overall I enjoyed the pace and writing of this novel.