Night Watchman

The Night Watchman is a 2021 Pulitzer Prize in Fiction winner that explores the struggles of a Native American night watchman in 1953 North Dakota. The novel is a blend of past and future generations, preservation and progress, and explores the worst and best impulses of human nature.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 464 pages
\n Publication date: 04 March 2021
\n Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
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Winner of the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction 2021, the New York Times bestseller, "The Night Watchman" transports readers to 1953, where Thomas Wazhushk serves as the night watchman at the first factory to open near the Turtle Mountain Reservation in rural North Dakota. As a prominent Chippewa Council member, he grapples with understanding a new bill that is soon to be put before Congress, known as the Emancipation Bill. While the US Government portrays it as a measure for freedom, it poses a threat to the rights of Native Americans, including their land and identity. Determined to fight this betrayal, Thomas embarks on a journey to unravel the complexities of the bill and protect his community.

In the midst of this historical context, the novel introduces Pixie-Patrice-Paranteau, a young woman on the reservation who defies societal expectations by pursuing her dreams and ambitions. Unlike most of her peers, Pixie has no desire to settle down with a husband and start a family. Instead, she works at the factory, earning just enough to support her mother and brother, as well as her alcoholic father who occasionally returns home to bully her for money. Pixie's primary goal is to find her missing sister Vera, who disappeared without a trace several years ago.

Through the intertwined narratives of Thomas and Pixie, "The Night Watchman" explores themes of past and future generations, preservation, and progress. Author Louise Erdrich delves into the depths of human nature, showcasing both the worst and best impulses of her characters. With compassion, wit, and intelligence, she illuminates the loves, lives, desires, and ambitions of her characters, creating a rich and immersive narrative that resonates with readers.

"The Night Watchman" is a testament to Erdrich's exceptional storytelling abilities and her deep understanding of the human experience. It is a must-read for anyone who appreciates literary fiction, historical fiction, and the complexities of indigenous cultures.

\n Weight: 356g\n
Dimension: 126 x 196 x 32 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781472155368\n \n