Love MedicineLove Medicine
Score Classic
What it's about
Linked stories about two Ojibwe families in North Dakota from the 1930s to the 1980s, told by many voices. It opens with June Kashpaw walking into a snowstorm and not coming back, and moves through love triangles, feuds, a magical 'love medicine' that goes wrong, and generations finding their way.
Why it's worth reading
It won the National Book Critics Circle Award and was Louise Erdrich's first novel, which made her famous. It's funny, sad and full of life.
You'll love it if you liked
The Round House
The Night Watchman
The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No HorseGood to know
There are many characters and families; a family tree helps. Erdrich revised and expanded it, so editions differ.
By the numbers
- Readers46 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics56 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller12 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #168 of the 309 literary novels we rank
- #411 of the 762 classics we rank
- #1406 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Moving, Thought-provoking
More by Louise Erdrich
The Night WatchmanThe Round HouseThe Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse
LaRoseIf you like this, read next
The Color Purple
The Caine Mutiny
East of Eden
I, Claudius
A Room of One's Own
Angle of ReposeExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is Love Medicine worth reading?
Yes. It won the National Book Critics Circle Award and was Louise Erdrich's first novel, which made her famous. It ranks #1,406 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 69.1 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Love Medicine about?
Linked stories about two Ojibwe families in North Dakota from the 1930s to the 1980s, told by many voices. It opens with June Kashpaw walking into a snowstorm and not coming back, and moves through love triangles, feuds, a magical 'love medicine' that goes wrong, and generations finding their way.
How long does it take to read Love Medicine?
About 9 hours (367 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What awards has Love Medicine won?
NBCC Award (Fiction) winner (1984).
What should I read after Love Medicine?
If you liked it, try The Round House by Louise Erdrich, The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich or The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse by Louise Erdrich.