Many of the novel’s characters constantly feel conflicted by the confluence of their identities both as Ojibwe and as American, essentially straddling these two worlds. This alternating adherence to and denial of Western concepts of chronology reflects the push and pull between the modern and traditional that arises within the novel. Parts 1, 2, and 4 each span a specific duration, although the time period of the other two sections are not indicated. The author divides the novel into five sections that do not occur in chronological order. Throughout the novel, LaRose’s presence acts as a palliative measure, healing some of these wounds by connecting the spirit world to that of the still-living characters. The situation with LaRose is further complicated by three factors: the desire of Landreaux’s childhood friend-turned-drug addict, Romeo Puyat, to seek revenge on Landreaux for crippling Romeo when they were younger Emmaline’s affair with the reservation priest, Father Travis and Maggie Ravich’s sexual assault by a group of white teenagers. The loss of Dusty triggers suicidal tendencies in Nola, which the children in both households ultimately prevent. As time passes, Emmaline decides she cannot live with the loss of her own son and so LaRose is shared between the two families, splitting his time. The interconnectivity of the two families complicates this arrangement, as Dusty’s mother, Nola Ravich, is the half-sister of Landreaux’s wife, Emmaline Iron. In order to atone for his action, Landreaux gives his own child and Dusty’s best friend, LaRose Iron, to Dusty’s family to raise as their son. The novel primarily concerns the aftermath of a tragic hunting accident, in which Landreaux Iron shoots and kills Dusty Ravich, the child of his neighbor and best friend.

LaRose by Louise Erdrich