121 pages • 4 hours read
Louise ErdrichThe Night Watchman
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2020A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Night Watchman follows Thomas Wazhashk, the night watchman and tribal chairman of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, as he rallies his community to fight against House Concurrent Resolution 108, a bill that threatens their tribal sovereignty. Parallelly, Patrice Paranteau, who works at the local plant, travels to Minneapolis to find her missing sister Vera and faces significant hardships, including being coerced into a degrading job. The story is set against the backdrop of the 1950s reservation life, shedding light on the strength and resilience of the Turtle Mountain community as they face personal and political challenges. Contains sensitive topics such as alcoholism and kidnapping.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Louise Erdrich's The Night Watchman is lauded for its rich historical detail and deep character development, vividly portraying the Native American struggle. However, some find the pacing slow and the narrative occasionally fragmented. Overall, it is praised for its emotional depth and cultural authenticity, solidifying Erdrich's place as a significant literary voice.
Who Should Read The Night Watchman?
A reader who would enjoy The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich appreciates poignant, character-driven narratives and cultural heritage. Fans of Sherman Alexie’s The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian and Alice Walker’s The Color Purple will admire its rich storytelling and exploration of Native American identity and perseverance.