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Cheri's Reviews > LaRose
LaRose
by
LaRose is a persistently bleak, dismal, gloomy, depressing novel. Unrelenting in the examination of multiple people with multiple emotional scars obtained, given, earned or not, earned through life. This book is not for the faint of heart.
If a man destroys his neighbor’s property, most laws would demand some type of in-kind restitution. Damage a car or a fence and replace or repair it. These are fairly easy to grasp, we’ve all grown up with some variation of this, even if it is covered by insurance. But what happens when a child is accidentally hurt, or worse, killed? A human being can never really be compensated for, it doesn’t subtract from the pain of the grieving parents.
My heart never stopped grieving reading this book, not only looking at this as a parent looking at losing a child, but I don’t believe a child could ever really comprehend, or recover from, his parents giving him to another family on any real level.
There is a lot more to this novel, and it is all worth reading, but there is a lot of trauma in the stories contained within – generations of drama, trauma and pain. Lots of pain, lots of sadness, no significant amount of happiness or joy to balance it out.
For me, where Erdrich shines in this novel is in her knowledge of Chippewa / Ojibwe culture and through her fine prose weaves through some of the culture and lore, the ancient stories of their origin. The way and times that Dusty’s voice is heard after his death, among other instances, have a touch of magical realism to them.
Grief, how do we cope with it, how do we eventually find our way through it to function and then eventually just remember in bits and pieces, moments? Grief is so present throughout; it is as if it were another character. Redemption, how do we obtain it, is it something given to us by others or must we also learn to forgive ourselves? Nevertheless, there is beauty to be found. The weaving together of this story reminded me a bit of a crazy patchwork quilt, formed to become a lovely treasure, but only after all the pieces are joined together.
by
LaRose is a persistently bleak, dismal, gloomy, depressing novel. Unrelenting in the examination of multiple people with multiple emotional scars obtained, given, earned or not, earned through life. This book is not for the faint of heart.
If a man destroys his neighbor’s property, most laws would demand some type of in-kind restitution. Damage a car or a fence and replace or repair it. These are fairly easy to grasp, we’ve all grown up with some variation of this, even if it is covered by insurance. But what happens when a child is accidentally hurt, or worse, killed? A human being can never really be compensated for, it doesn’t subtract from the pain of the grieving parents.
My heart never stopped grieving reading this book, not only looking at this as a parent looking at losing a child, but I don’t believe a child could ever really comprehend, or recover from, his parents giving him to another family on any real level.
There is a lot more to this novel, and it is all worth reading, but there is a lot of trauma in the stories contained within – generations of drama, trauma and pain. Lots of pain, lots of sadness, no significant amount of happiness or joy to balance it out.
For me, where Erdrich shines in this novel is in her knowledge of Chippewa / Ojibwe culture and through her fine prose weaves through some of the culture and lore, the ancient stories of their origin. The way and times that Dusty’s voice is heard after his death, among other instances, have a touch of magical realism to them.
Grief, how do we cope with it, how do we eventually find our way through it to function and then eventually just remember in bits and pieces, moments? Grief is so present throughout; it is as if it were another character. Redemption, how do we obtain it, is it something given to us by others or must we also learn to forgive ourselves? Nevertheless, there is beauty to be found. The weaving together of this story reminded me a bit of a crazy patchwork quilt, formed to become a lovely treasure, but only after all the pieces are joined together.
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Reading Progress
May 6, 2016
– Shelved
December 10, 2016
–
Started Reading
December 10, 2016
–
20.0%
December 12, 2016
–
Finished Reading
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Thanks so much, João, I started reading "The Round House" and someone borrowed my copy... haven't seen it since. One day, I'll just buy another copy!! I know that most consider "The Round House" her best. I would say that if you enjoyed that, you would enjoy "LaRose."
Cheri wrote: "Thanks so much, João, I started reading "The Round House" and someone borrowed my copy... haven't seen it since. One day, I'll just buy another copy!! I know that most consider "The Round House" he...";)
Stephanie, I read this now since I'd had it on my library wait-list since last summer. I would recommend reading this when you find "the right time."
Terrific review, Cheri! I agree with your thoughts here - especially about whether the child could really comprehend or ever recover from this. This was my first Erdrich too. Round House is on my shelf at home so will probably be next when I get around to it :)
Thanks so much, Candi... I felt that LaRose's feelings seemed to fade in the background of both sets of parents grief, but ... I was surprised that they seemed more focused on their own.
Marita, I can understand why the topic alone would put off a lot of people, but I also felt that Erdrich wasn't exactly promoting a view of sympathy toward any of the characters, really. I can understand why you abandoned this book. It's very unsettling!
Great review, Cheri
Wonderful review, Cheri. This certainly is a heavy novel that presses mightily on the heart.
Thanks so much, Jen!! Glad you loved it, too!
Thanks, Linda, "presses mightily on the heart" really says it, Linda! I felt incapable of really breathing much of the time, it affected me so much. I need to find a happier book to read next!!
Wonderful review, Cheri! I still haven't gotten to this one.
Thank you so much, Dana! It took me a while to get to this one, too. It's definitely worth reading, though!
Splendid review. And thanks for the warning. This sounds terribly sad, I'll be avoiding it, at least for a while. Is it me or are all (most of) the literary fiction books somewhat sad, depressing, or it's because they're looking at life and life sucks, at least sometimes?
Thank you, Bianca, I knew what this was about when I put my name on the list for this book at my library, but that was at least six months ago... I didn't really anticipate getting it when I did... and it was probably harder for me to read it when I did. It's really worth reading, and it's probably less depressing than the topic would have you believe... but I think a lot of people have read this and walked away with the mixed feeling of a book that is really well written, but on such a emotionally draining topic! There is some beauty of coming out the other side of grief, it generally gives us hope that we can overcome. I think that can work when we can get "inside" the characters, but not always...
Wonderful review Cheri! Sounds like an utterly devastating read. I have had this one on my list for a bit and debating between print and audio. I also need to find a 'time' to read it.
PorshaJo, I do not know if anyone has listened to this to comment on the audio version, but possibly Elyse? I think while I was reading it, it felt almost more "puzzling" in the sense of WHAT ARE THEY DOING!! than devastating... but overall, while I am still feeling a bit stunned I can't say that I wouldn't recommend it, because I think it's very worthwhile. I would just recommend reading it at the right time for you!!
Elyse, as a parent reading this, my reaction was pretty strong, but it was also that as a parent looking at giving away a child, but more than that... the child. How does a five year old internalize that? In theory I get the if I break your pen I owe you a replacement, but not with people... and then for poor LaRose to have to help keep his "new mother" mentally together ... and all of those things made LaRose to be the only character I felt I could really care about. I don't really think all literary fiction is this sad (and, for me, this goes far beyond sad or depressing) or depressing, but I think there are likely more emotionally driven literary fiction novels than "general" fiction novels. I think the conflicts are used to stir those emotions ... but I do think this book needs it's own category...
At the end of the book, I think she explains a bit about how she came up with this story, but I already returned the book, so I can't look it up for you - I think that Will mentions it in his review, though!
Thanks for the warning to read it at the right time for me. I'll definitely keep that in mind.
Great review, Cheri - this novel seems to put forward a lot of poignant questions. "Redemption, how do we obtain it, is it something given to us by others or must we also learn to forgive ourselves?". Food for thought...
Wonderful review, Cheri. For some reason, I never took an interest in this book. Now, I'm wondering why. It sounds like one must find the right time to read this--not just a book you simply pick up at read.
Fabulous review Cheri!I think you bring up some very important insights to this book. I did not like this book at all.
xoxo
I'm reading this now, and your comments really resonate for me. thanks for that review
excellent insights, Cheri - well done!
Cheri I felt the same about Damaged and Shuggie Bain yet they were wonderful reads. Your review leads me to read this in spite of grief. Thank you for always giving honest reviews.
Bonnie, Shuggie Bain was one of those books that ripped my heart out, but I'm glad that I read it. I think I enjoyed this one a bit more because the writing really pulled me in. I hope when/if you find time to read it that you appreciate it as much as I did!
Cheri this a spot on review. I cannot even try to add more. I too grieved with the characters. La Rose the little boy who had the weight of both families on his little body.
Bonnie, I’m so glad to know that you read this, and especially knowing that it moved you!
I love "The Round House ".