Prudence

A boy's summer at his parents' Minnesota resort in 1942 intersects with the arrival of German POWs at a nearby camp. While local men are away fighting in WWII, Native American workers help run the resort, creating connections between the white resort owners and the reservation community. Felix, the resort owners' son, spends time with a Native American man named Billy and develops a bond with Prudence, a young Native woman. The characters navigate complex relationships against the backdrop of wartime tensions and social constraints of the era. The story continues through multiple perspectives and timelines, following how a tragic incident reverberates through decades and shapes the lives of those connected to the resort. Events from 1942 cast long shadows into the 1950s and beyond. Prudence examines themes of identity, belonging, and the boundaries between different worlds - Native and white, civilian and military, childhood and adulthood. The novel reveals how moments of violence and loss can define not only individual lives but entire communities across generations.

Readers found the book's multiple perspectives and non-linear timeline challenging to follow. Many noted the novel contains beautiful, poetic prose but moves slowly with limited plot momentum. Readers appreciated: - Detailed portrayal of post-WWII Minnesota life - Complex examination of race relations and prejudice - Strong sense of place and atmosphere Main criticisms: - Confusing timeline jumps between 1942 and 1952 - Too many character perspectives that dilute the story - Slow pacing, especially in middle sections - Unclear connections between plot threads Ratings: Goodreads: 3.5/5 (246 ratings) Amazon: 3.7/5 (31 ratings) "The writing itself is beautiful but the story meanders too much" - Goodreads reviewer "Characters feel removed and hard to connect with emotionally" - Amazon reviewer "Worth reading for the historical detail and atmosphere, despite structural issues" - LibraryThing reviewer

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🌟 David Treuer is an Ojibwe Indian from Leech Lake Reservation in Minnesota who brings authentic Native American perspectives to his literary works 🌟 The novel is set during World War II at a resort in rural Minnesota, drawing inspiration from the author's own family history of operating a resort in the region 🌟 The book explores themes of forbidden love between a Native American man and a white woman during a time when such relationships faced severe social stigma and legal restrictions 🌟 Though the story takes place in Minnesota, a significant portion deals with a character's experiences as a POW in Japan, reflecting the author's extensive research into World War II history 🌟 Treuer wrote this novel while serving as Professor of Literature at University of Southern California, where he teaches courses on Native American literature and creative writing