The Night Watchman

by Louise Erdich
The Night Watchman cover
Good Books rating 4.17
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  • ID: 7035
  • Added: 2025-12-09
  • Updated: 2025-12-09
  • Reviews: 3
Reviews
The Resting Willow · 2025-08-04
excellent 4.50

The book is praised for its vividly drawn characters and their compelling stories. The narrative is engaging and the characters are well-developed, making it a memorable read.

This reviewer loved the book for its richly drawn cast of characters, each with their own unique stories and struggles. The narrative flows well, and the characters are so vividly portrayed that they feel like real people. The reviewer particularly admired the steadfast and quietly courageous Thomas, as well as the gutsy Patrice, who add depth and complexity to the story. The book is a testament to Erdrich's skill in creating engaging and memorable characters that stay with the reader long after the last page is turned.

Quick quotes

    I loved this book. It has a great and vividly drawn cast of characters in it.

    The steadfast and quietly courageous Thomas; the gutsy Patrice; ...

    It's a vibrant book, and Louise Erdrich really gives you a sense of the strong community bonds amongst the people.

The Times Literary Supplement · 2020-06-05
thoughtful 4.00

The book is best read as an unhurried exploration of intersecting Native American lives. The narrative is rich and provides a deep understanding of the characters and their struggles.

They suggest that the book is better approached as a slow, unhurried exploration of the lives of Native American characters during a significant historical period. The narrative is rich and provides a deep understanding of the characters and their struggles, making it a compelling read. The reviewer appreciates the depth and complexity of the characters and their stories, which are woven together to create a tapestry of life during the termination era. This thoughtful and nuanced approach makes the book a valuable and engaging read.

Quick quotes

    The Night Watchman is better read as an unhurried exploration of intersecting Native American lives during the course of the termination era.

    The narrative is rich and provides a deep understanding of the characters and their struggles.

    The reviewer appreciates the depth and complexity of the characters and their stories, which are woven together to create a tapestry of life during the termination era.

Slanted Spines · 2020-05-29
great 4.00

The novel beautifully blurs the distinction between reality and the spirituality of nature. The storytelling is rich and immersive, making it a fully satisfying experience.

This reviewer was captivated by Erdrich's ability to blend hard-defined reality with the spirituality of nature seamlessly. The storytelling is rich and immersive, creating a fully satisfying experience for the reader. The novel's exploration of these themes adds a layer of depth that enhances the overall narrative. The reviewer found the book to be a profound and moving exploration of these themes, leaving a lasting impression.

Quick quotes

    In this novel, I loved the way Erdrich often beautifully blurred the distinction between hard-defined reality and the spirituality of nature, ...

    It is a fully satisfying experience to read Erdrich's novel.

    I put The Night Watchman down with a heavy heart. Not out of disappointment — far from it.

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