The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse by Louise Erdrich, 368 pages

The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse by Louise Erdrich, 368 pages

It is very difficult to summarize this book! I’ll give it a shot: An eccentric, musically genius ex-nun is widowed and impersonates a priest in the Minnesotan wilderness for much of their life, becoming ingrained in the local Native American community. The tone is somewhere between historical/ (mostly) realistic fiction and Capital L Literature.

This book has all of the things that a Louise Erdrich fan is looking for: A terribly interesting and admirable protagonist, Native American culture and community, love stories that are interesting and surprising...and yet never the focal point of the story.

It would also be difficult to overstate how much I loved LROTMALNH! In addition to the point of view of the protagonist (who goes by a few different names), we see how community changes over a long period of time, and have a variety of interesting religious experiences represented, and explores complicated spirituality sincerely. While there are themes of mysticism and ethical dilemma, I would never classify this as “Christian Fiction” to someone looking for that genre. It was impressive to cover such a length of time- 70ish years- in less than 400 pages without ever feeling that the story glossed over anything. Very engrossing, too! I recommend this one if, like me, you found The Sentence to be “just okay” but want to try more Louise.

Winter Counts

Winter Counts by David Heska Wanbli Weiden (2020), 325 pages 

You may remember that I just finished Wisdom Corner by Weiden and did not realize it was volume 2 in the Virgil Wounded Horse series. I have now read the first volume and, honestly, like it more. Virgil is the local enforcer for the Rosebud Indian Reservation and is roped into helping squash the nascent heroin trade infiltrating the Reservation. I appreciate Weiden's informational look into Reservation life and the issues they are facing. I love learning more about the tribes and their customs. I did have one major issue regarding his nephew, but don't want to give spoilers. Additionally, this is listed as a thriller, and, like, Wisdom Corner, I would consider it a crime novel - it moves way to slow for thriller status. 

Wisdom Corner

Wisdom Corner by David Heska Wanbli Weiden (2026), 320 pages 

Somehow it missed me (and several others) that this is actually Book 2 in the Virgil Wounded Horse series. So, as I will be doing that shortly - go read Winter Counts first. 

Virgil Wounded Horse is a former enforcer/vigilante for hire on the Rosebud Reservation where he resides. He is trying to shake that lifestyle, but a murder on the Reservation and potential gang activity from the neighboring Pine Ridge Reservation are pulling him back in.  

Overall, I enjoyed the book. It is touted as a thriller, but the pacing does not lend it to that. It more of a slow burn. Weiden does an excellent job of portraying current Native life on a Reservation, but sometimes bogs the story down with too many side-details and historical notes. I find these details very interesting, but others will find them distracting. As always, though, I will forever feel angry for how Native Americans were/are treated on their own land.