I love Louise Erdrich’s books. Her more recent ones are not as strong as her earlier ones so I would definitely recommend going back. LaRose, The Plague of Doves, and The Roundhouse are three that come to mind that I enjoyed.
I've heard a few people say the same about her earlier vs later works! I have The Roundhouse but I feel like the mood needs to be just right for that one. I also recently found secondhand copies of The Sentence and Tracks so I'm glad to have a newer and older one to experience. Thinking I'll go with Tracks next, though. Have you read it?
The Roundhouse is a tough one. I read Tracks but many years ago. I've been saying for years I'll start from her first novel and read all the way through but it's hard to keep that goal with so many books to choose from!
I'm interested to read your experience with Maryse Condé! I have wanted to read her for a while too but have never quite known where to start, so subsequently never read her! I think I will sit back and watch your Condé goal unfold until I hear of one of her novels you really (!) recommend..
I have Crossing the Mangrove and one other but I can't recall the title of that one and I'm pretty sure it's in a box somewhere so I doubt I'll be getting to it any time soon! Interesting to hear how you felt about Tree of Life - neutral is always a tricky way to feel because you're left not ruling out reading more from the author but also not in any particular rush to do so. Will do my best to keep you posted on whichever I read next!
Stellar recs as always! I loved Changes and really I suspect Sister Killjoy will be a favorite so I've just been holding off on reading it...the book actually reminds me of Conde's debut Hemakhonon which I hope to read this month ( Africans/carribean people heading to europe). The Night Watchman was mid for me as well but I loved the Sentence and the Round House (very sad though)
Thanks, Ariana! i really want to get Changes so I'm glad to hear you speak so highly of it. I recently found a secondhand copy of The Sentence and I have the Round House but have just been waiting for the right mood because it sounds good but also incredibly miserable... I also recently found a copy of Tracks so I'm thinking that or The Sentence might be my next Erdrich...
I‘m looking forward to your review of Djinns. I haven’t read the book, but I‘ve seen the stage adaptation at the Gorki theatre in Berlin and that was a stellar experience!
If I Must Die is so good you won't regret it! I actually did manage to read Djinns in the end and I can only imagine how good the stage adaptation would have been! Love that you got to experience that :)
I read Aydemir's debut Ellbogen (Elbow) back when it came out and eagerly awaited Djinns for years––I read the original German a couple years ago now and more recently, passages from Jon Cho-Polizzi's translation (so so incredible), and I hope you're able to pick it up soon!! Excited to hear your thoughts
Oh I really hope more of her work is translated into English because I would love to read more of her writing! Spoiler: I did manage to read Djinns and I'm still processing but hopefully thoughts will be shared in my next roundup!
I love Louise Erdrich’s books. Her more recent ones are not as strong as her earlier ones so I would definitely recommend going back. LaRose, The Plague of Doves, and The Roundhouse are three that come to mind that I enjoyed.
I've heard a few people say the same about her earlier vs later works! I have The Roundhouse but I feel like the mood needs to be just right for that one. I also recently found secondhand copies of The Sentence and Tracks so I'm glad to have a newer and older one to experience. Thinking I'll go with Tracks next, though. Have you read it?
The Roundhouse is a tough one. I read Tracks but many years ago. I've been saying for years I'll start from her first novel and read all the way through but it's hard to keep that goal with so many books to choose from!
I'm interested to read your experience with Maryse Condé! I have wanted to read her for a while too but have never quite known where to start, so subsequently never read her! I think I will sit back and watch your Condé goal unfold until I hear of one of her novels you really (!) recommend..
I have felt the same! I started with her first and feel neutral about it so now I've paused. Think I'll wait for Tasnim's thoughts now too 😂
Hahaha OK this is fair. I'm hoping Crossing the Mangrove delivers...
Oops I didn't actually read her debut I read another Tree of Life but I own Crossing the Mangrove and Waiting for the Waters to Rise
I have Crossing the Mangrove and one other but I can't recall the title of that one and I'm pretty sure it's in a box somewhere so I doubt I'll be getting to it any time soon! Interesting to hear how you felt about Tree of Life - neutral is always a tricky way to feel because you're left not ruling out reading more from the author but also not in any particular rush to do so. Will do my best to keep you posted on whichever I read next!
More than happy to oblige!
Stellar recs as always! I loved Changes and really I suspect Sister Killjoy will be a favorite so I've just been holding off on reading it...the book actually reminds me of Conde's debut Hemakhonon which I hope to read this month ( Africans/carribean people heading to europe). The Night Watchman was mid for me as well but I loved the Sentence and the Round House (very sad though)
Thanks, Ariana! i really want to get Changes so I'm glad to hear you speak so highly of it. I recently found a secondhand copy of The Sentence and I have the Round House but have just been waiting for the right mood because it sounds good but also incredibly miserable... I also recently found a copy of Tracks so I'm thinking that or The Sentence might be my next Erdrich...
My erdrich people lovee Tracks so maybe that? The Sentence is also a bit lighter if that helps sway you
Putting If I Must Die on my list as we speak!
I‘m looking forward to your review of Djinns. I haven’t read the book, but I‘ve seen the stage adaptation at the Gorki theatre in Berlin and that was a stellar experience!
If I Must Die is so good you won't regret it! I actually did manage to read Djinns in the end and I can only imagine how good the stage adaptation would have been! Love that you got to experience that :)
I read Aydemir's debut Ellbogen (Elbow) back when it came out and eagerly awaited Djinns for years––I read the original German a couple years ago now and more recently, passages from Jon Cho-Polizzi's translation (so so incredible), and I hope you're able to pick it up soon!! Excited to hear your thoughts
Oh I really hope more of her work is translated into English because I would love to read more of her writing! Spoiler: I did manage to read Djinns and I'm still processing but hopefully thoughts will be shared in my next roundup!
I’ve just recently knew about Naguib Mahfouz and I am eyeing on Palace Walk. I heard it’s his best.