What's Next? discussion

“Books contain everything worth knowing except what ultimately matters.”
"Spread it like jelly"

The author's first book since “The Night Watchman” won the 2021 Pulitzer. Set in and around the events of the past few years = e.g., the pandemic and George Floyd, which has personal significance given the MN location - the author has written a ghost story and mystery rich in indigenous traditions and mythology and revolving around personal history and communication.

The story is less character driven than its predecessor but no less layered and complex. "The Sentence" operates on many levels - a passage in a book that has the power to kill - "I wish I could write a sentence like that' - the main character's prison term; and the burdens of our pasts and the power to set free.

The story is also a celebration of the "essential" nature of books - "books are signs of life". The author's own real-life bookstore is featured (and survives the pandemic). The appendix includes a recommended list, grouped by theme!

Overall, The Night Watchman is stronger but The Sentence is worthy.

Heard good things about The Sentence and also The Night Watchman. I have not read anything by Louise Erdrich but she’s on my list of authors to check out.