Sujoya - theoverbookedbibliophile's Reviews > The Sentence
The Sentence
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Sujoya - theoverbookedbibliophile's review
bookshelves: signed-books-i-own, signed-first-editions
Dec 03, 2021
bookshelves: signed-books-i-own, signed-first-editions
Previously incarcerated for a decade for a crime she was set up to take the fall for, Tookie spent most of her prison time reading and upon release looking for employment in a bookstore. In the present day , she works for an independent bookstore in Minneapolis owned by “Louise” and is married to Pollux , a former tribal police officer and a caring and generous man who is also an authority in Native American traditions and rituals . After a regular (and slightly annoying) patron dies while reading a manuscript covertly taken from the bookstore , Tookie starts feeling a supernatural presence in the bookstore and believes that it is Flora’s ghost haunting the store. Initially she is the only one who feels the presence and there are some entertaining and funny moments but when an unpleasant encounter with Flora’s ghost leaves her unconscious, Tookie realizes that she needs to get to the bottom of why Flora refuses to leave. With the help of her colleagues she starts to explore the origins and content of the mysterious manuscript which Tookie and her friends believe played a part in Flora's death and find a way to rid the store of Flora’s ghost once and for all - all this while working in the midst of a pandemic and worried for her family’s health and safety .While she delves into the details of Flora’s life ,Tookie gains perspective on her own past , life choices and the importance of the people and relationships in her present life.
“Ghosts bring elegies and epitaphs, but also signs and wonders. What comes next?”
Set in the most part in 2020 Minneapolis, The Sentence by Louise Erdrich covers a lot of ground in terms of current events such as the COVID pandemic, George Floyd’s brutal murder and the subsequent protests . With an interesting cast of characters , glimpses into Native American history and traditions and elements of magical realism in a real time setting, The Sentence is a masterfully crafted story that elicits both smiles and tears. I enjoy stories set in libraries or bookstores and The Sentence is no exception. The role of books and bookstores in times when people are forced to live in isolation from one another due to circumstances beyond one’s control is beautifully depicted throughout the story. Thanks to the author for including Tookie’s reading list at the end of the novel.
“Ghosts bring elegies and epitaphs, but also signs and wonders. What comes next?”
Set in the most part in 2020 Minneapolis, The Sentence by Louise Erdrich covers a lot of ground in terms of current events such as the COVID pandemic, George Floyd’s brutal murder and the subsequent protests . With an interesting cast of characters , glimpses into Native American history and traditions and elements of magical realism in a real time setting, The Sentence is a masterfully crafted story that elicits both smiles and tears. I enjoy stories set in libraries or bookstores and The Sentence is no exception. The role of books and bookstores in times when people are forced to live in isolation from one another due to circumstances beyond one’s control is beautifully depicted throughout the story. Thanks to the author for including Tookie’s reading list at the end of the novel.
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Reading Progress
July 21, 2021
– Shelved
November 30, 2021
–
Started Reading
December, 2021
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-35 of 35 (35 new)
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message 1:
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Kat (Books are Comfort Food)
(new)
Dec 07, 2021 02:49PM
Fantastic review, Sujoya. Sounds like there are some good topics woven into this book.
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Thank you! It is a layered novel. The synopsis made me think that it would be a light and quick read but I was pleasantly surprised by how deep and thought provoking it was .
My former boss inspired me to add this one, and I still need to get my hands on it. You got me excited to check it out all over again, terrific review Sujoya! 💗
Fabulous review, Sujoya ❤️ I tried the audiobook of this one a while ago and couldn’t get into it. I am going to have to give it another try.
message 15:
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Sujoya - theoverbookedbibliophile
(last edited Jun 25, 2022 06:09AM)
(new)
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rated it 4 stars
Catherine wrote: "My former boss inspired me to add this one, and I still need to get my hands on it. You got me excited to check it out all over again, terrific review Sujoya! 💗"
Thank you, Catherine! It is indeed a good read! Hope you do decide to pick it up! 💖
Thank you, Catherine! It is indeed a good read! Hope you do decide to pick it up! 💖
Linda wrote: "Ditto, I also thought you review was wonderful . You have convinced me to read The Sentence"
Thank you so much, Linda! I hope you also enjoy the read! 😊
Thank you so much, Linda! I hope you also enjoy the read! 😊
Marilyn wrote: "Fabulous review, Sujoya ❤️ I tried the audiobook of this one a while ago and couldn’t get into it. I am going to have to give it another try."
Thank you, Marilyn!💖 I think this book is best read than heard. Initially I combined both but I found the audio narration a bit flat.
Thank you, Marilyn!💖 I think this book is best read than heard. Initially I combined both but I found the audio narration a bit flat.
Collette wrote: "Wonderful review, Sujoya! I’m glad you liked this one as well! 💛🌟"
Thank you so much, Collette!😊🧡
Thank you so much, Collette!😊🧡
RoshReviews wrote: "Excellent review, Sujoya! This sounds like my cup of tea. :)"
Thank you, Rosh! This is a good one! 😊
Thank you, Rosh! This is a good one! 😊
Sujoya, Excellent Review. This seems to have a lot to it. Happy you enjoyed it. I have the book now and love Louise Erdrich.
A mystery about ghosts instead of a crime is my cup of coffee. I have heard of Louise Erdrich and this would be a great place for me to start. As a paper book buyer (who is close to Minnesota, USA), I'll watch for it second-hand.
Kristine wrote: "Sujoya, Excellent Review. This seems to have a lot to it. Happy you enjoyed it. I have the book now and love Louise Erdrich."
Thank you so much, Kristine!🧡 I am so sorry for my late response! I only just saw your comment!
Thank you so much, Kristine!🧡 I am so sorry for my late response! I only just saw your comment!
C. (Never msg. Just comment! Email if private.) wrote: "A mystery about ghosts instead of a crime is my cup of coffee. I have heard of Louise Erdrich and this would be a great place for me to start. As a paper book buyer (who is close to Minnesota, USA)..."
I hope you enjoy this book when you get to read it! Happy Reading!😊
I hope you enjoy this book when you get to read it! Happy Reading!😊
message 32:
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Sujoya - theoverbookedbibliophile
(last edited Apr 05, 2023 06:13PM)
(new)
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rated it 4 stars
Liz wrote: "Fabulous review. The book was a fabulous reminder of how books got us through Covid."
Thank you so much, Liz! 😊 I'm glad that this book was a good read for the both of us! Yes, this book is a reminder of how reading got us through those difficult times!
Thank you so much, Liz! 😊 I'm glad that this book was a good read for the both of us! Yes, this book is a reminder of how reading got us through those difficult times!
Nilguen wrote: "Great review, Sujoya!! 🤍 it’s on my tbr 🤓 looking forward to reading it 🩵"
Thank you so much, Nilguen! 🧡 I hope you also enjoy it! I look forward to your thoughts!
Thank you so much, Nilguen! 🧡 I hope you also enjoy it! I look forward to your thoughts!