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As part of my "research" for ~> Eleison I'm reading Books and Islands in Ojibway Country by Louise Erdrich.
I am finding her personally very schizophrenic and that aspect manifests in her writing as well. On the one hand she is focused and detail-oriented and creates some interesting and lovely images ~ and on the other she is scattered and disorganized and seems to prattle without offering any sort of grounding for the uninitiated. 50 pages into the book and I couldn't really tell you what it's about beyond the titular theme, but I get the sense that would be okay with her.
I also find her a sad figure. She seems lost, embittered, and self-victimizing in many ways. Her attitude toward the Canadian government and the Catholic Church is across-the-board hostile without much explanation (as if the words "Church" and "government" should be sufficient to inspire revulsion). It's impossible to know her experience growing up mixed blood in a world that has not been kind to her and her Ojibway ancestors. It's sadder still to think of her as a "role model" for her people today because of the grudge she clearly carries.
There is beauty in some of her observations ~ and a longing for a spirituality she doesn't seem to be able to grasp entirely, but clearly wants to.
I don't know ~ I find the whole thing pretty depressing. Maybe it's a cultural barrier of some sort (since she's so highly lauded, etc.). I'll finish the book (it's not long) and I intend to read The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse though I confess the subject matter has my hackles up and I've only looked at the first chapter.
I am finding her personally very schizophrenic and that aspect manifests in her writing as well. On the one hand she is focused and detail-oriented and creates some interesting and lovely images ~ and on the other she is scattered and disorganized and seems to prattle without offering any sort of grounding for the uninitiated. 50 pages into the book and I couldn't really tell you what it's about beyond the titular theme, but I get the sense that would be okay with her.
I also find her a sad figure. She seems lost, embittered, and self-victimizing in many ways. Her attitude toward the Canadian government and the Catholic Church is across-the-board hostile without much explanation (as if the words "Church" and "government" should be sufficient to inspire revulsion). It's impossible to know her experience growing up mixed blood in a world that has not been kind to her and her Ojibway ancestors. It's sadder still to think of her as a "role model" for her people today because of the grudge she clearly carries.
There is beauty in some of her observations ~ and a longing for a spirituality she doesn't seem to be able to grasp entirely, but clearly wants to.
I don't know ~ I find the whole thing pretty depressing. Maybe it's a cultural barrier of some sort (since she's so highly lauded, etc.). I'll finish the book (it's not long) and I intend to read The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse though I confess the subject matter has my hackles up and I've only looked at the first chapter.
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