THE NIGHT WATCHMAN

It's based on the red Indian community of which I know so little. Yet, it's a tale so relatable. Definitely a good read!

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for 2021. Based on the life of the author’s grandfather. The book is set in 1953 in rural North Dakota. It lovingly describes the way of life of the Chippewa people living on the Turtle Mountain Reservation. And how that life is threatened by the US Government’s proposed new “Emancipation Bill”. Far from offering the Chippewa more freedom, it is a betrayal—threatening the rights of Native Americans to their land, their very identity. The Chippewa call it the “Termination Bill”. The book tells the story of how they organise themselves and go to Washington DC to petition the Congress against the proposed Bill and manage to save the Turtle Mountain band of Chippewa from termination.

What was your favorite read this month?"An enemy has to be defeated in battle, but an adversary's different. You must outwit an adversary"I've said this before and I'll say it again; history is never the entire truth. Almost 7t percent of history has been deemed unreachable by the people in power. Never get satisfied with the history you've learned.'The Night Watchman' is the story of an Indian (American) tribe avoiding getting an unjust eviction by the government. The base of the story revolves around their efforts while focussing on the various incidents and problems that take place in the community.This story was based on the author's grandfather's life, in honor of whom the title was named. It's a story of perseverance; the tribe worked very hard to keep their place while fighting many injustices. It's a story worth listening to.

Ahhh finally I’m done with this book and I’m so happy !! Got a copy from Hachette in August and rn it’s almost the end of September!! I wouldn’t straight up say that this book deserves no more than 2 stars. No, it’s not that way, fortunately enough. The book, as it is, is an important piece of fiction and needs to be preserved with utmost care. It deals with topics like Emancipation Act of 1953, sex-trafficking and how schooling and education was biased for the Native Americans. However, the storyline was scattered enough. I think if the author would’ve only focused on the problems and worked more on it , at a stretch, then this book would’ve been a Bookstagram-favorite for sure ! Unfortunately, the storyline was pretty much about everything except the actual problem at hand. Patrice’s sister Vera went missing and she sets on a mission to find her. On the other hand, Thomas, the tribal leader is fighting against the Emancipation Act, on behalf of the whole tribe. Had the story been restricted to only these 2 incidents, then this book would’ve been no less than a piece of art.But, honestly, why’d I want to know about Wood Mountain, and Barnes and all those fight scenes. The story seemed unnecessarily scattered which made this a really slow one and I think even the patient reader inside me almost died.If you’re someone patient enough to devote all your time to this 400+ pages book , take a bow! For me, it was a pretty disappointing read, but this might just work for you, you never know. However, if you aren’t into historical fiction at all, I’d never recommend this to you – you’d straight up dnf this one and would never pick up another historical fic.This book is the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction Award 2021 winner, and I’d say well deserved , because this does deal with a lot of important matters. However, I think this was chosen as the winner , mostly because of the topics itself and not because of the book and the whole storyline. A rare book, a rare topic – but definitely not everyone’s cup of tea.

I have read and enjoyed a lot of Louise Erdrich’s books over many years. This one however I didn’t take to. Lots of details about the lives and Ill treatment of the native Americans even during the comparatively recent 1950s. So many intermingled stories and so many diverse characters took my eye off the main thrust of the book ie the continuing attempt of big government to rob the small tribe of its land.I stuck with it to the end, but didn’t enjoy it nearly as much as her previous work.

The Night Watchman is the beautifully told tale of the fight to maintain an Indian reservation in the early 1950s and is a worthy winner of the 2021 Pulitzer Prize.Thomas is a nightwatchman at the local jewel bearing plant. He is also the Chairman of the Advisory Committee of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians. Thomas gets wind of some forthcoming legislation, where the dry and difficult text amounts to an attempt to terminate the tribe’s rights (previously granted in perpetuity by the US Govt) to maintain the lands on their reservation. Instead the Bill seeks to disperse the tribe to the cities and to forego the rights which their ancestors fought for.Patrice (don’t call her Pixie) also works at the plant, along with her pals Valentine, Betty and Doris. Patrice’s sister Vera has already been lured to the city and has gone missing. Patrice makes it her mission to find her.Wood Mountain is a boxer, trained by Barnes, the local maths teacher. Both have eyes for Patrice. Both are thoroughly good people and are willing to do anything to help the causes of Thomas and Patrice.So we learn about a host of characters within the community. Anchored by Thomas and his impending trip to Washington and Patrice and her family issues. This is a book of warmth, community and facing up to a significant enemy. The prose is wonderful and remains understated throughout. I (sadly) knew little about the state land grabs of native Americans and I am therefore grateful to have both read and hugely enjoyed The Night Watchman.With thanks to Little Brown (Corsair) and Netgalley for an ARC

It's seldom I'd award five stars to a book. But this one deserves even more if possible.It shows life among the Chippewa Native Americans in 1953 when a senator is attempting to break the conditions of the treaty apportioning their reservation to the Chippewa. There are great characters here, some based on relatives of the author. There's lots of the lore and superstitions used by the tribe as they gradually acquire education. This is a well-plotted and well-written novel. Without being in any way maudlin, this saga arouses great sympathy for these utterly disadvantaged people.

The Night Watchman is beautiful patchwork of stories with memorable characters: Thomas, the night watchman at a factory; Patrice "Pixie", who works hard to support her family and find her missing sister; Wood Mountain, a boxer; Roderick, a ghost and many more. Their stories intertwine and at the heart of the novel is the struggle of the Native American Chippewa tribe against termination.I love Erdrich's writing and have been a fan of her books since I read The Round House. The Night Watchman was a little bit long for my liking, but it is enlightening, entertaining and well worth a read.Louise Erdrich is a worthy winner of the Pulitzer Prize and I can't wait to read her latest novel, The Sentence.

I cannot imagine why this book won the most prestigious prize for fiction. It's unmemorable - I finished it two weeks ago and am struggling to recall what it was about. The problem with most books written from multiple perspectives is that you end up not being totally committed to any character. There was little character development in this story. The dialogue was diabolical in parts. The only reason it can have won the prize is that it is about as specific period of American history and about the indigenous people. I guess it's good to learn a little more about the indigenous people , but really there is very little you will learn that you do not already know. Definitely it cannot have been the best novel of the year - and if it was - fiction is in a dire straight.