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51 pages 1 hour read

Louise Erdrich

The Painted Drum

Louise ErdrichFiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2005

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Book Brief

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Louise Erdrich

The Painted Drum

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2005
Book Details
Pages

304

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

New Hampshire • Contemporary

Publication Year

2005

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

In her fifties, Faye Travers, who keeps to herself and lives with her mother, finds an Ojibwe painted drum while cataloging an estate and decides to return it to its rightful owners. She learns the drum's powerful history from Bernard Shaawano in North Dakota and experiences a profound transformation, ultimately confronting her past grief, reconnecting with her heritage, and rekindling her relationship with Kurt. The narrative includes sensitive topics such as childhood death, violence, and historical trauma involving Indigenous peoples.

Mysterious

Melancholic

Contemplative

Emotional

Bittersweet

Reviews & Readership

4.1

10,535 ratings

72%

Loved it

22%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

The reviews of Louise Erdrich's The Painted Drum highlight the novel's lyrical prose and deep exploration of human connections. Critics praise the rich storytelling and cultural insights, though some readers find the narrative pacing uneven. Overall, Erdrich's intricate character development and emotional depth are widely appreciated despite occasional structural criticisms.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Painted Drum?

Readers who enjoy richly woven narratives exploring themes of family, loss, and Native American culture would find The Painted Drum captivating. Fans of Toni Morrison's Beloved and Isabel Allende's The House of the Spirits will appreciate Erdrich's lyrical prose and intricate storytelling.

4.1

10,535 ratings

72%

Loved it

22%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

304

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

New Hampshire • Contemporary

Publication Year

2005

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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