This is the second copy to hit my shelf, so I'll read one and release the other. Cover picture is different than the one shown here.

RELEASE NOTES:

Will bring this one to the meeting tonight.

Pooker3 brought this to the meet-up and then I noticed there was already another one on the OBCZ shelf so I decided to bring this one home. Thanks Pooker. That was a fun meeting!

Louise Erdrich writes truthfully but brilliantly about the native American lifestyle. This is the second book of hers that I have read (the Beet Queen being the other) and I am even more impressed by her abilities.

Some of this book was published previously as short stories in magazines such as Mother Jones and The Atlantic Monthly. I thought this novel would seem like patched together short stories but it doesn't. In fact, I have trouble imagining being satisfied by reading one segment alone. Each chapter seemed so intricately woven with the others that I can only presume that Erdrich conceived the whole story at one time.

The first story tells about June Kashpaw dying in a snowstorm after walking away from a man's car in the country. June was raised on a reserve in North Dakota and the rest of the book deals with all the other people who live or used to live on the reserve. The Kashpaws, the Morrisseys, the Lamartines and the Nanapushes mix and mingle. At times I found it hard to remember who was related to whom and how they were related. And I suspect that was deliberate because even they weren't always sure who fathered which child. But the urge to know one's family history is powerful and the children do figure it out.

I particularly liked the stories which dealt with an occurrence from several different angles. For instance, the story of Lulu Lamartine's home burning down is told from the perspective of Nector Kashpaw who was in love with Lulu (although married to Marie) and then from the point of view of Marie and finally discussed by Lulu. Each person has a different insight and remembers events slightly differently. Erdrich captures all the nuances expertly.

I'm not sure where this book will go next but I'll be sure to pass it on soon.

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

I left this book on the OBCZ shelf when I went to show my hubby the new digs. This release is for the 2008 Keep Them Moving challenge.

This book is currently sitting on the Winnipeg Official Bookcrossing Zone bookshelf in the loft of The Park Theatre & Movie Café, 698 Osborne Street, Winnipeg MB.

It is waiting there for a new reader to take home, read, and release back into the wild!

Winnipeg bookcrossers meet at my location on the second Tuesday of every month at 7pm to chat about books, swap great reads, and release on the OBCZ shelves. Please join us! We love to see new faces! You will enjoy the comfy atmosphere, the fabulous coffees and teas, and the yummy treats!

Caught the eye, the mind, and the imagination in the OBCZ in Winnipeg - to be read and then released in Ireland.

It took a while to start this book but less time then to finish it. Gypsysmum summarizes this book quite well as what it felt like to me. The only addition was that initially it was my MIL who saw the book and passed it to me, as the author was from North Dakota (which is also where they live now) and she told her native American stories are famous, so I had to give it a go.

I got as well a bit confused who is related to whom and how, and the beginning (after June's death) felt a bit slow (then again, I usually read mostly thrillers myself, so I'm spoiled in expecting things to happen in the books). But who's related to whom and how is just one of the things that isn't that important. Chippewas and half chippewas seem to be different - act, think, smell and even (sixth) sense the world differently.

I'll bring this book with me to the Ireland mini-convention next month and see where it wants to travel next.

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

Released in mini Irish Bookcrossing Valentine's (un)Convention.
And a perfect name for a book to release for a Valentine's release :)

Thank you for catching this book! Please let us know that you've found the book and where you might re-release it when you're done.
You may remain completely anonymous if you choose. The site is totally free, there are no strings and most importantly, no spam involved.
After or if you've read the book; make another journal entry on the book called 'release notes' to let the previous owners know where you're letting it go to continue its journey. (You'll be part of it's journey from that point on, too).
I hope you have as much fun with BookCrossing as I do.
Happy reading!

Chosen at the Cork/Dublin Valentines bookcrossing meeting.