The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse
A Novel
Book - 2001
A New York Times Notable Book
For more than a half century, Father Damien Modeste has served his beloved Native American tribe, the Ojibwe, on the remote reservation of Little No Horse. Now, nearing the end of his life, Father Damien dreads the discovery of his physical identity, for he is a woman who has lived as a man. To further complicate his quiet existence, a troubled colleague comes to the reservation to investigate the life of the perplexing, possibly false saint Sister Leopolda. Father Damien alone knows the strange truth of Leopolda's piety, but these facts are bound up in his own secret. He is faced with the most difficult decision: Should he tell all and risk everything . . . or manufacture a protective history for Leopolda, though he believes her wonder-working is motivated solely by evil?
In a masterwork that both deepens and enlarges the world of her previous novels set on the same reservation, Louise Erdrich captures the essence of a time and the spirit of a woman who felt compelled by her beliefs to serve her people as a priest. The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse is a work of an avid heart, a writer's writer, and a storytelling genius.
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Add a CommentPart of the author's suite of Dakota novels, so it was great to meet familiar characters from a different perspective. In this book Father Damien is "converted" to Objibwe spirituality.
When I was taking a short story class in California, Louise Erdrich was one of the recommended authors, along with Tim O'Brien and Raymond Carver. So you know she's good.
Oh, what a story. A former nun lives her adult life as a priest on a reservation for more than fifty years. This story enriches the canvas of reservations on which Erdrich paints her stories in words. The characters and the deep emotions shown by the characters are worthy citizens of Erdrich’s world.
I tried to read this at the beginning of the summer without much success. I revisited it later this summer/early fall & found it was perfect!! I really enjoyed learning the characters, the towns and traditions, missteps and human elements in this book. Wonderful storytelling and lovely read! I found myself surrounded in warm blankets, warm drinks, and delightful falling leaves as I journeyed through Little No Horse. A beautiful star I am glad to have seen!!
It’s impossible to find fault with Erdrich’s lyrical writing, or the poetic tension she creates between Ojibwe mysticism and Catholicism, or the abundant symbolism with which she infuses the book. And certain events in the story are unforgettable (oh, the vision created when Nanapush is snagged to his boat seat and dragged by a frightened moose!). The density of Erdrich’s prose was, at times, distracting, however. In those moments, I felt that I should be <i>studying</i> the book, rather than reading it for pleasure.
Love, love, love!
An excellent read, this book covers historical ground, questions and observations on culture and identity and weaves together complex stories.
This is an amazing book, spanning many years and cultures. It’s a complicated story in some ways, but worth reading.