The Round House

by Louise Erdrich

North Dakota. 1988. Our story begins with the rape of Geraldine Coutts, the mother of our protagonist and narrator, Joe. Joe is thirteen years old and is devastated by the attack on his mother. The assault is brutal, and the aftermath is worse.

As he watches his mother fade away, Joe decides that he will find her attacker. And, of course, he will deliver some justice.

This is a really rather touching coming-of-age story. Joe is sweet and trusting and tender-hearted. The pain he feels for his mother is immense, and his need to exact revenge is epic.

Great novel. Well worth my time.

 

8/6/13