“Tracks” by Louise Erdrich (U.S.)

Review

Most readers had mixed feelings about the book having found it a difficult read. They liked the historical setting, though they felt the story was very bleak. The winter scenes gave them a sense of the coldness and hopelessness of the situation the characters found themselves in. Some readers found that the split narrative between Nanapush and Pauline broke the flow of the story. However, other readers found this an interesting technique giving the reader two different perspectives on the unfolding events. Readers liked the writing style, finding the language and descriptions beautiful and at times passionate. They also liked the humour that Nanapush brought to the story. A couple of readers loved the book saying that its haunting atmosphere stayed with them long after they had put it down. The book averaged a 7.8 out of 10.

Synopsis

Set in North Dakota, at a time in the early twentieth century when Native American tribes were struggling to keep what little remained of their lands, ‘Tracks’ is a tale of passion and deep unrest. Over the course of ten crucial years, as tribal land and trust between people erode ceaselessly, men and women are pushed to the brink of their endurance – yet their pride and humour prohibit surrender… Read more

Nicola’s Book Club reading list

Season 8 – “Love & Passion in World Literature” (Sep 2008 – Jan 2009)

“A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers” by Xiaolu Guo (China)
“Ali and Nino” by Kurban Said (Azerbaijan)
“Tracks” by Louise Erdrich (U.S.)
“The Bad Girl” by Mario Vargas Llosa (Peru) *
“Wide Sargasso Sea” by Jean Rhys (Dominica) 

* The book club favourite
In italics, Nicola’s Coup de Cœur