Love Medicine discussion, part three (pages 230-367)

[Caryl]

You’ve finished! What did you think?

This is our last discussion thread for Love Medicine (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060975547/ref=nosim/storknet00) by Louise Erdrich.

If you haven’t posted on any of the discussion threads yet, but you have finished the book, feel free to post on this thread. We can also use this thread to discuss the last third of the book, pages 230-367. (This will be the last six stories.)

Here are a few questions you can answer if you like:

~ How was this book similar to or different from what you expected?
~ Has this book taught you anything new, or made you think about something you’d never thought about before? Explain.
~ Would you recommend this book to others? To a particular person?

Thank you for participating in our discussions!

[SusanH]

I've finished! :)

I think my favorite part in the final third is the description of the battle in the factory. I just love how the tension builds and finally breaks loose into total bedlam. I also love the surprising ending to the Marie/Lulu/Nector triangle, with Marie and Lulu becoming unlikely friends and allies.

I did have trouble reading the section about King, Lynette and Howard. I hate reading of neglected, abused children and the scene with him hiding in the bathroom while his parents fight is just too painful. :(

~ How was this book similar to or different from what you expected? I've read it before, so it was exactly what I expected, lol.

~ Has this book taught you anything new, or made you think about something you’d never thought about before? Explain. I think what I took away from this reading was a deeper respect for Erdrich's writing as an art form. Her ability to breathe life into characters, build a scene, develop relationships and tell a story, all the while using language that is almost poetical at times - she amazes me.

~ Would you recommend this book to others? To a particular person? Absolutely!

[Caryl]

~ How was this book similar to or different from what you expected?
I didn't realize the book would be told in stories, and give us glimpses into the lives of so many characters. I loved that!

~ Has this book taught you anything new, or made you think about something you’d never thought about before? Explain.
It made me think about how each person in the world has so much depth, so many secrets. When I am out for a walk now, or shopping, or at a restaurant, I look at others and picture them as a character in an Erdrich book, rich with stories to tell. (Does that sound odd? I guess I should add that I've dreamed of being a writer! :) )

~ Would you recommend this book to others? To a particular person?
Yes! I've been talking about Erdrich a lot lately, with friends and family.

Favorite scene:
I thought the factory battle was powerful, too, Susan. I noticed that chapter, "The Tomahawk Factory," is one Erdrich added later, to this expanded edition, and I thought that was interesting.

My favorite chapter was "The Good Tears." I really liked the character of Lulu, and I was happy that Marie and Lulu came together after Nector died, and helped comfort each other. I thought that was neat, too, Susan.

I also loved the scene where Lipsha tells Marie that Nector's love for her was so strong. Marie doesn't believe him, but says, "Lipsha, you was always my favorite."

Favorite quotes:
"Your life feels different on you, once you greet death and understand your heart's position. You wear your life like a garment from the mission bundle sale ever after -- lightly because you realize you never paid nothing for it, cherishing because you know you won't ever come by such a bargain again." --Lipsha

"If we're going to measure land, let's measure right. Every foot and inch you're standing on, even if it's on the top of the highest skyscraper belongs to the Indians. That's the real truth of the matter." --Lulu

"There was always trouble when my mother put the world in focus." --Lyman, about Lulu

[Satya]

Yes! After a long trudging two months I am finally completing Love Medicine. This was a tough one for me to get through, yet I enjoyed it.

~ How was this book similar to or different from what you expected?

I didn't have too much in the way of expectations of the book...

~ Has this book taught you anything new, or made you think about something you’d never thought about before? Explain.

I'd say that this book painted a picture of American Indian life that I really had not understood fully before. Sure, I've thought about the plight of the American Indians, but I hadn't really seen it like it's made out to be in Love Medicine. And, I found it rather depressing. So much alcohol and plain ol' down and outness. I got the other aspects of the book too...but most of the stories had a sad theme in my opinion.

~ Would you recommend this book to others? To a particular person?

Yes, I would recommend the book to others. Erdrich has a unique style of writing that was a pleasure to read.