Based on the extraordinary life of National Book Award-winning author Louise Erdrich’s grandfather who worked as a night watchman and carried the fight against Native dispossession from rural North Dakota all the way to Washington, D.C., this powerful novel explores themes of love and death with lightness and gravity and unfolds with the elegant prose, sly humor, and depth of feeling of a master … of a master craftsman.
Thomas Wazhashk is the night watchman at the jewel bearing plant, the first factory located near the Turtle Mountain Reservation in rural North Dakota. He is also a Chippewa Council member who is trying to understand the consequences of a new “emancipation” bill on its way to the floor of the United States Congress. It is 1953 and he and the other council members know the bill isn’t about freedom; Congress is fed up with Indians. The bill is a “termination” that threatens the rights of Native Americans to their land and their very identity. How can the government abandon treaties made in good faith with Native Americans “for as long as the grasses shall grow, and the rivers run”?
Since graduating high school, Pixie Paranteau has insisted that everyone call her Patrice. Unlike most of the girls on the reservation, Patrice, the class valedictorian, has no desire to wear herself down with a husband and kids. She makes jewel bearings at the plant, a job that barely pays her enough to support her mother and brother. Patrice’s shameful alcoholic father returns home sporadically to terrorize his wife and children and bully her for money. But Patrice needs every penny to follow her beloved older sister, Vera, who moved to the big city of Minneapolis. Vera may have disappeared; she hasn’t been in touch in months, and is rumored to have had a baby. Determined to find Vera and her child, Patrice makes a fateful trip to Minnesota that introduces her to unexpected forms of exploitation and violence, and endangers her life.
Thomas and Patrice live in this impoverished reservation community along with young Chippewa boxer Wood Mountain and his mother Juggie Blue, her niece and Patrice’s best friend Valentine, and Stack Barnes, the white high school math teacher and boxing coach who is hopelessly in love with Patrice.
In the Night Watchman, Louise Erdrich creates a fictional world populated with memorable characters who are forced to grapple with the worst and best impulses of human nature. Illuminating the loves and lives, the desires and ambitions of these characters with compassion, wit, and intelligence, The Night Watchman is a majestic work of fiction from this revered cultural treasure.
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Louise Erdrich has written an important work which addresses the cruel and inhumane manner Native Americans have been treated in the 1950s and today When the government attempted to take the Turtle Mountain tribes land away that they were promised they fought to keep it and won.Today the Trump administration and Asst.Secretary of the Interior Tara Sweeney have recently brought back the termination era and are attempting to terminate the Wampanoag,the tribe who first welcomed Pilgrims to these shores and invented Thanksgiving.Does this hatred ever cease?The writer reminds us If you should be of the conviction that we are powerless to change those dry words ,let this book give you heart.What are we waiting for ?There is more work to be done !
Going way back to her 1984 debut novel, Love Medicine, I’ve been an admirer of Louise Erdrich’s work. She keeps getting better and better – her latest, The Night Watchman, being a case in point.
It is loosely based on the life of her own grandfather, who was chairman of the Turtle Mountain band of Chippewa Indians at a time (the mid-1950’s) when the United States government was attempting to reclaim land owned by, lived on, and guaranteed by treaty to Native Americans.
In a nutshell: Thomas Wazhashk is tribal chair of the Turtle Mountain band of Chippewa by day and, by night, a watchman at a jewel-bearing plant in rural North Dakota. His work is endless, particularly when a resolution is proposed in Congress that, if passed, would result in the destruction of the Turtle Mountain Chippewa as a cohesive people.
Though Thomas leads the charge to fight it, many others of the band play instrumental roles in his carefully conceived, intelligently thorough, and quietly forceful campaign.
Pros:
The over-arching theme of the book is the plight of the Native American in a country that would see its various tribes assimilated into oblivion. Sub-themes, though, are universal – the age-old human search for acceptance, our need for friendship and family, and the role of tribal (small ‘t’) folklore as a source of strength.
Erdrich is a master of prose that is descriptive, true to its speakers, and succinct. There is no self-consciousness here. She seamlessly blends Chippewa words and phrases into the dialogue. Likewise, she presents Native American customs in an understated, perfectly natural way.
Erdrich is herself an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain band, and she knows of what she speaks – of her tribe, of other Native American tribes, and of the often unforgiving land on which they live.
Each character is unique and likable in his or her own way. Erdrich juggles her cast as beautifully as she does the various plot threads.
These threads come together in a powerful David-versus-Goliath event.
Cons:
My lone con is more of a heads-up. One does not skim The Night Watchman. It is a dense book, and it isn’t short. Reading carefully is a must.
Final word:
There is a quiet command to The Night Watchman, one character to the next, one scene to the next, one setting to the next. There is also a quiet resignation that seeped into me as I read, instilling an understanding of, and compassion for, the Native American plight that has been with me ever since.
Masterful story telling as usual by Louise Erdrich. An exploration of Native American history and the quest to maintain cultural integrity.
Erdrich is a literary master–by which I mean both a gifted storyteller and a brilliant writer. As do so many of her novels, The Night Watchman weaves together intersecting lives on and around the Turtle Mountain Reservation in rural North Dakota. With every Erdrich novel I have a sense of my life being enriched by being exposed to topics and lived experiences that are completely outside of my own experience. In this case, the schooling is founded on actual historical events: the US government’s attempt to terminate its treaties with the Chippewa and the sexual exploitation of Native women. At a time in our country’s history when institutionalized racism and sexism are being challenged on the streets, in our homes, in our corporate offices, and in our Capitol, this book is an essential read. And not just because of its subject matter, but because of the people Erdrich imagines and the way they confront their world. At turns beautiful, inspiring, tragic and infuriating, it is a book you will not soon forget.
“The Night Watchman” is a personal look into the experiences of members of the Turtle Mountain Band during a vie by the US Federal Government of the 1950’s to terminate agreements for land, a measure of autonomy, and support. The author bases the thoroughly admirable lead, Thomas Wazhashk, on her real life Grandfather.
Thomas was a tribal elder who realizes the devastating impact of the legislation, so he educated himself and others about the impact and organized a group to represent the native people before the US Legislature. The passionate but exhausted man worked as a Night Watchman at the only viable local employer, a gem processing plant. There are petitions, visions, dances, atrocities, alcohol, randy horses, and boxing.
This book offers a brief glimpse into life for the native people. I’d like to say it was an “at that time” sort of prejudice that existed, but alas, the news belies the truth. Which is why Louisa Erdich’s work is important. I understand she is an active member of the tribe and offers tremendous insight..
Not since The Round House has Louise Erdrich dazzled readers with such a gritty and evocative book about reservation life, a looming tribal tragedy, and a family tragedy. Thomas Wazhashk, the night watchman at a jewel bearing plant located near the Turtle Mountain Reservation in rural North Dakota. It is 1953, and the U.S. Congress is fed up with Indians. Its new bill seeks a “termination” that threatens the rights of Native Americans to their land and their very identity. Thomas, a Tribal Council Member, wants to stop the bill. In a nearby household, Pixie (“call me Patrice”), who also works at the plant, mourns for her sister, who ran off to the city with her boyfriend and has disappeared into God knows what. Fearing the worst, Patrice summons her courage to search for her missing sister. An incredible story about invisible people doing extraordinary things. Beautifully told, it’s Erdrich at her absolute best.
A lifelong fan of Louise Erdrich’s haunting, lyrical prose, “The Night Watchman” was just as stunning as her many, other works. Erdrich’s masterful blending of history weaves a complicated tale of survival that was by turns hilarious and horrifying. A page-turner, and an unexpectedly uplifting ending.
I am glad the author is back to her old style after wandering into the post apocalyptic genre.
Erdrich is a living master, and this novel is one of her finest IMO. Based on her grandfather’s experience fighting against a proposed US government “erasure” of his tribe, and filled with unforgettable characters and scenes. Full of heart, full of ideas. I looked forward to reading it every day.
Louise Erdrich’s THE NIGHT WATCHMAN
Haunting book, so many stories, struggles, and characters I loved and don’t really want to leave.
Details brought me back to places in my own life and gave me cause to ponder.
I’m not composed enough to write a smooth report right now, so I’ll share some disjointed notes from the kaleidoscopic journey. Your visions may resolve differently.
Patrice’s appreciation of all the beauty she can still see, including the many trees. Glasses for distance, see faces/expressions Close work w/ watch jewels. Saving for college
Trip to Minneapolis to find sister/can’t, but brings home her baby. Blue ox rubber suit/deadly
Thomas and others to D.C. — $$ raised w/ boxing match
D.C. trying to (ex)terminate the rights of Indians and take the last bit of reservation land. 🙁
Mormon senator
Ghosts and natural remedies . . . speak in own language/keep identity
Enjoyable and informative. Erdrich’s spare prose and well-drawn characters provide a clear picture of the Indian spirit. Funny, quirky, superstitious, yet with strong moral compasses and a deep sense of community. Her story informs the reader of the abominable Termination Act of 1953, that threatened the Chippewa and other tribes with extinction and the power of one man, one tribe, to stop it. An amazing and compelling read.
Reading The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich reinforced my awareness of ignorance born of privilege in a European dominated society. I had never heard of the Indian Termination Policy being carried out just after the time of my birth. Natives were to be assimilated with all the rights of an American citizen. It was intended that individuals find work and become self-supporting and pay taxes. Reservations were taken out of Native control, health care and education no longer provided. Life was harsh before termination; it got worse after termination. It was ‘extermination’ under a new name.
Erdrich’s novel is based on her grandfather’s life and his successful endeavor to block the termination of the Turtle Mountain Reservation.
The night watchman is the hardworking hero of the story, a family man who works nights at the new factory that employs Ojibwe women to perform the delicate job of creating jewel bearings. He is determined to protect their reservation and people from termination, working around the clock and raising money to travel to Washington, D. C. to present their case before Congress. Their way of life, their community is threatened. They feel a deep connection to the land that supported their ancestors since time immemorial.
Patrice is one of the young Ojibwe women working at the factory. The job allows her to support her mother and brother. She dreams of going to university to study law. She tries to blend into European society but encounters racism and sexual harassment. Two men vie for her attention, unaware of her naivety about relationships and sex and desire.
When Patrice’s sister Vera goes to the city disappears, she goes takes all her savings to look for her. It is a nightmarish trip into the depravity of the underside of the city, a place where young native women are vulnerable prey. She returns with Vera’s baby.
It is hard to write about this novel. It left me with strong feelings, including deep shame for how the prevalent European society has treated Native Americans since we landed on these shores. Erdrich does not exploit our feelings, there is no melodramatic writing when describing chilling scenes of exploitation and abuse.
The courage and strength of the characters is inspirational. I loved how one love storyline was handled, showing that true love is communal and not about personal desire.
Fiction can educate and enlarge our limited experience. And I thank Erdrich for furthering my understanding.
I was given access to a free ebook by the publisher through NetGalley. My review is fair and unbiased.
It felt so wonderful to be back in the hands of a master storyteller and that is Louise Erdrich. The characters are extremely well developed and I felt as though I knew them all, I didn’t want to leave this story. The setting for a novel about American Indians in the 1950’s is a unique one, often books are about the start of our “elimination” of the Indians.I wanted to know everything about the reservation, the new bill that Congress was going to pass and how these incredible characters with all of their beliefs, visions and talents were going to survive if this bill should pass.
One of the main characters, Thomas, who is the night watchman at a jewel bearing factory is based on the author’s grandfather. He is a loving, tireless man who cares deeply about the Chippewa Turtle Mountain people and his own family.
There are several stories going on in this novel but they are all part of the whole. We will watch as Thomas writes hundreds of letters to those in the government who might listen to his plea that the tribe be allowed to keep the little bit of land that they have. This once powerful tribe of hunters and gatherers was forced onto a small plot of land and had to learn how to farm in order to exist. They were given very little help from the government but even this was in danger of being taken away. They must form a committee and address Congress directly.
At the same time we learn about Thomas’s family, he deeply loves his wife Rose who works tirelessly to keep their family together, fed and clothed. His oldest daughter Vera left for the city, and hasn’t been heard from in a while. Patrice, his other daughter works at the jewel bearing plant where Thomas is a watchman. Her job is working on a type of production line, cutting precise holes into small jewel panels.
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When Vera has been missing for a while Patrice saves up her money and goes to the city to find her. What happens to her there is eye opening as well as discouraging. We come back to that story later in the novel.
Thomas’s father, Bibon, lives with them, he is quite old but is filled with wisdom and inner strength. He will help Thomas in his quest to speak in front of Congress on behalf of his tribe.
“Make the Washington D.C.’s understand. We just started getting on our feet. Getting so we have some coins to jingle. Making farms. Becoming famous in school like you. All that will suffer. It will be wiped out.. . ..They sent us their tuberculosis. It is taking us down. We don’t have money to go to their hospitals. It was their promise to exchange these things for our land. “Long as the grass grows and the rivers flow.”
Scattered throughout the book there are references to Indian folklore and some magical passages which are beautiful and thought provoking.
The older generation has struggled with efforts to completely change their way of life. The younger generation still looks up to the elders but also wants what they see on TV and magazines, cute clothes, nice homes, cell phones, and to live in the city. They are often pulled in two different directions.
I don’t want to give away any more of this amazing story. Hopefully I have given you enough enticement to read this book. It is definitely one of my top books this year and is not to be missed. Ms. Erdrich will reward you with a great story, wonderful characters and a history of some of the terrible things that we have done to the American Indians. We virtually broke every treaty that we made with the Indians.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through Edelweiss. The book is set to publish on March 3, 2020.