70 pages • 2 hours read
The Sentence
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Book Brief
416
Novel • Fiction
Minneapolis, Minnesota • 2020s
2021
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Sentence by Louise Erdrich follows Tookie, an Ojibwe woman who, after serving a sentence for a crime involving a body and drugs, rebuilds her life working at Birchbark Books in Minneapolis. The story encompasses 2020's significant events, such as George Floyd's murder and the COVID-19 pandemic, as Tookie confronts her past, navigates relationships, and is haunted by the ghost of a customer named Flora. The novel addresses topics including institutionalized racism, drug use, and human trafficking.
Mysterious
Challenging
Emotional
Bittersweet
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
81,987 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Louise Erdrich's The Sentence is praised for its rich storytelling, vivid characterizations, and eloquent prose, capturing the spirit of contemporary issues through a ghost story set in a bookstore. Criticisms include a occasionally slow pace and a dense narrative that some may find challenging. Overall, it's a compelling blend of supernatural elements with timely social reflections.
Who Should Read The Sentence?
Readers who enjoy The Sentence by Louise Erdrich typically appreciate contemporary literary fiction with a focus on Native American culture, ghostly elements, and character-driven narratives. Fans of Erdrich's work will likely also enjoy books like Beloved by Toni Morrison and There There by Tommy Orange.
81,987 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
416
Novel • Fiction
Minneapolis, Minnesota • 2020s
2021
Adult
18+ years
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