“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 WorldFrom the … World
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.
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.
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I listened to the audiobook read by “Anna Fields” (the pseudonym used by narrator Kate Fleming). She was an astoundingly talented voice talent who was able to master the speech nuances of Native American characters of two genders and varying ages. Sadly, she died in an accident the year after this was released. That aside, it’s a fascinating book …
Louise Erdrich is a wonderful story teller. The Painted Drum carries three stories, all interlinked. We start with Faye Travers who, along with her mother, owns and operates an estate-appraisal business in rural New Hampshire. From page one, we learn that Faye has keen observational skills and strong empathy with the natural world. Ravens, wolves, …