The Round House

This story begins with the brutal rape and attempted murder of Geraldine Coutts, a Native woman who works to help people establish eligibility for tribal membership. Her 13 year old son Joe and husband Bazil attempt to help her heal, but she retreats into her bedroom and won't come out. Joe does some investigating of his own, although he's been told not to, and makes important discoveries.

If it weren't for the horrific reason for the story, this would be a lovely book about friendship, community, and belonging. Joe moves between his parents' house and his aunts and uncles, cousins and friends with absolute confidence that he will be taken in wherever he goes. Although he is fluent in how to charm old ladies into feeding him, he goes to his elderly grandfather to ask questions about the meanings of disturbing dreams and complex family relationships. Joe is shaken, but he's also at home in his community and he brings all the resources of that community to trying to solve the problem of his mother's rape.

There's a point in the story, long before the end, where Joe expresses relief at being able to go back to being 13 again. Needless to say, he doesn't get to stay 13 for very long. For all of its beauty, this is a bittersweet story. I really loved it.