The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse: A Novel

By Louise Erdrich

A New York Times Notable Book

"Stunning. . . a moving meditation. . . infused with mystery and wonder." --Atlanta Journal-Constitution

In a masterwork that both deepens and enlarges the world of her previous novels, acclaimed author Louise Erdrich captures the essence of a time and the spirit of a woman who felt compelled by her beliefs to serve her people as a priest. The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse deals with miracles, crises of faith, struggles with good and evil, temptation, and the corrosive and redemptive power of secrecy.

For more than a half century, Father Damien Modeste has served his beloved Native American tribe, the Ojibwe, on the remote reservation of Little No Horse. Now, nearing the end of his life, Father Damien dreads the discovery of his physical identity, for he is a woman who has lived as a man. To further complicate his quiet existence, a troubled colleague comes to the reservation to investigate the life of the perplexing, possibly false saint Sister Leopolda. Father Damien alone knows the strange truth of Leopolda's piety, but these facts are bound up in his own secret. He is faced with the most difficult decision: Should he tell all and risk everything . . . or manufacture a protective history for Leopolda, though he believes her wonder-working is motivated solely by evil?

The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse is a work of an avid heart, a writer's writer, and a storytelling genius.

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Published Mar 17, 2009

Average rating: 7.93

28 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

T
Torimac
What an original mix of perspectives and events. In this novel Ms. Erdritch revisits family lines that have been part of many of her other books, which I enjoyed. She blends all kinds of cultures and continues to show how much we have in common just as she showcases all of our unique features and eccentricities.
margardenlady
margardenlady
8/10 stars
Fascinating story about finding your gifts, sometimes in surprising places. Agnes is a gifted pianist, who becomes a novitiate, then a wife and through a surprising set of accidents, becomes something else entirely. We read a careful, loving description of life on a reservation and all of the rich and varied interactions among its residents. Lots of Anishinaabe language employed throughout, which was fun too.

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