“I’m not a Lamanite, I’m Chippewa”

The Night Watchman is inspired by the real life of Louise Erdrich’s grandfather, who was part of the Chippewa tribes resistance to termination in the 1950s. The story follows an ensemble of memorable characters led by Patrice, a fearless young woman who travels to Minneapolis in search of her lost sister, and Thomas, the titular night watchman, who organizes the Ojibwe resistance to the bill before Congress to eliminate the official status of the tribe – which is worded as setting them free but would effectively steal their land and take away any government aid or recognition.

There are many more characters but no chance at confusing them as all are sketched out in vivid and realistic detail. This is a community that knows each other and depends on one another and upon their traditions, lore, and faith.

Several of the chapters shift gears in a way that reminds me of something a really good movie would do. It’s just enough to add interest without distracting from the story. It makes me wonder if Erdrich reads Joyce. The techniques are there, they’re not 10x louder than the story like they are in Ulysses, but they’re present.

I think everyone will find something to relate to in this book. It is a great book for discussing for its realistically complicated relationships, for its portrayal of gender, for its style and structure, for its still-too-important topic of indigenous cultures and their value, and countless other possible threads. Its a book substantial enough to support hours and hours of book clubs.