If you’ve never read Louise Erdrich, I recommend this order. She’s written many more books, all varied and must-reads. She frequently includes maps, family trees, glossaries, and historical notes in her books. This helps readers keep track of complex family connections over several books. For a non-Native reader from New England, like me, this can also be a first step to learning some historical and cultural context. As with The Night Watchman, Erdrich uses her afterword to explain historical context and ongoing social issues. The book is set in 1988, but many legal loopholes still exist, which often make it difficult for Native survivors of sexual assault to find closure or justice.
Further Reading
7 Powerful Quotes from Love Medicine by Louise Erdrich Read Harder: A Book in Any Genre Written by a Native, First Nations, or Indigenous Author