The Round House HB | The Round House

The Round House

Louise Erdrich · 2012

Overview

Set on an Ojibwe reservation in North Dakota, the story follows thirteen-year-old Joe as he grapples with a traumatic crime that upends his family and community. Narrated from the adult Joe’s perspective, the novel weaves tribal law, federal jurisdiction and personal memory into a tense search for justice. Erdrich balances a coming-of-age journey with sharp insights into Native sovereignty and cultural survival. The title refers to the sacred round house where events unfold, grounding the plot in place and tradition.

Who it's for

• Readers of literary and contemporary Native American fiction
• Book clubs seeking layered moral questions without easy answers
• Students exploring intersections of U.S. and tribal law

Key features

• Hardback edition with durable sewn binding
• 368 pages
• ISBN 978-0-06-206525-4
• HarperCollins, 2012
• Winner of the 2012 National Book Award for Fiction