Love Medicine Summary
Description
Here you will find a Love Medicine summary (Louise Erdrich's book).
We begin with a summary of the entire book, and then you can read each individual chapter's summary by visiting the links on the "Chapters" section.
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Last Updated: Monday 1 Jan, 2024
Chapters
Chapters Love Medicine Summary Overview
In the mid-1930s, a 14-year-old girl named Marie Lazarre escapes a torturous life at a convent, where she was housed and maltreated by a perverse nun. Fleeing this harsh environment, she encounters a boy named Nector Kashpaw, who mistakenly believes she's a thief. They end up forming a bond that leads to a long, challenging marriage and several children. Around 1948, they take in a nine-year-old orphan, June Morrissey, who comes to them filthy and malnourished but flourishes under their care. June grows particularly attached to her Uncle Eli and eventually moves in with him. Fast forward to 1957, a woman named Lulu Lamartine tries to navigate life after her husband's tragic death. She ends up becoming romantically involved with her brother-in-law, Bev, leading to the birth of their son. Alongside these events, Nector recounts his past, including his youthful stardom in Hollywood Western films and his deep-seated affection for Lulu. Despite being married to Marie, Nector rekindles his romance with Lulu, leading to a complicated love triangle that causes a series of chaotic incidents. In the early 1980s, the focus shifts to a young man named Lipsha Morrissey, who was adopted by Marie and Nector. Lipsha possesses a healing touch, which he uses in his job at a senior citizens home where Marie, Nector, and Lulu reside. As family secrets unfurl, Lipsha learns about his true parentage and his connection to June and a man named Gerry Nanapush. This revelation sets Lipsha on a journey of self-discovery that involves helping his biological father escape from prison and eventually accepting his true identity.
part 1
Part 1 introduces us to June Kashpaw, a middle-aged Chippewa lady, heading to the bus stop on a Saturday morning shortly before Easter, in 1981, in Williston, North Dakota. In a bar called the Rigger Bar, she meets a mud engineer named Andy who entices her to join him. He contrasts the colour of a pink egg he peels to June’s shirt, which she likens to her personal shell. Andy persuades her to spend the night with him. They visit another bar and later, in his truck on a secluded road, they have a clumsy intimate encounter, with Andy fully clothed. After Andy falls asleep, June clumsily extricates herself from the truck and starts a long walk home in the heavy snowfall.
part 2
Albertine Johnson, the niece of June, narrates the second part of the story. She receives a letter from her mother announcing Aunt June's death. Albertine recounts June's life story, including her upbringing, her marriage to a cousin, and her son, King. Despite June's unstable professional life, she always cared for her family. Albertine, who is studying medicine in Fargo, mourns for her aunt. When she returns home, she overhears her mother and Aunt Aurelia discussing June's life. Marie and Nector Kashpaw arrive with King, his wife Lynette, and their baby. Nector's memory is failing him due to age, though he can remember dates. The family reminisces about a childhood incident where the children pretended to hang June, which earned them a reprimand from Marie. It is discovered that King bought his car with money from June's insurance, a decision that divides the family. Two more relatives, Gordie and Eli, join them. Some women, led by Albertine, leave to visit June’s grave, leaving Marie with a warning to keep hands off the pies.
part 3
Lipsha Morrissey meets Albertine and a few others. Lipsha and King are half-siblings but their relationship is strained. Lipsha is June's son from a time when she was separated from Gordie. The men discuss their hunting exploits, listing various animals, which upsets Lipsha and he leaves. An argument ensues about who is the superior fisherman, a title echoed in the words on King’s hat, “World’s Greatest Fisherman”. Eli, triumphant, takes the hat and wears it, much to the annoyance of Lynette, the one who gifted it. King and Lynette exit during Gordie's joke, but soon the sound of a fight is heard. King lashes out at his car, with Lynette still inside, until Gordie intervenes, leading to King breaking down about his mother's death. Gordie and Eli drive away, leaving Lynette to comfort King. Albertine, meanwhile, joins Lipsha in a field nearby. As they watch the northern lights, Albertine's thoughts drift towards June.
part 4
In this part, Lipsha confesses his fear of King to Albertine after sharing more wine. Albertine contemplates revealing that June was Lipsha's mother but decides against it due to Lipsha's resentment towards his absent mother. Following a disturbance in the kitchen, they discover King attempting to submerge Lynette in a sink full of water. Albertine tries to intervene, even biting King’s ear, but he flings her away. Lipsha is missing and the pies are ruined. Albertine distracts King by pointing out the destroyed pies, giving Lynette a chance to escape. King departs the house, filled with guilt. Lynette pleads with King outside to leave with her in the car, arguing that his erratic behavior only surfaces around his family. They end up making love in the car, while Albertine places the hat under the mattress where King Junior is sleeping oblivious to the chaos. Albertine attempts to restore the pies but concedes that once they are shattered, there's no way to "put them right."
saint marie
The narrative rewinds to 1934 and is led by young Marie Lazarre, also known as Grandma Marie Kashpaw. At fourteen, she resides at Sacred Heart Convent, tutored by Catholic nuns. Marie portrays Sister Leopolda as a Satan-obsessed nun who insists Marie is tainted by wickedness. On a Sunday school day, Marie giggles at the thought of Satan's presence, leading to Sister Leopolda stabbing Satan with a sharp hook hidden in her boot, then locking Marie in a closet. The nun presents two life choices to Marie: marry a dishonorable Native American or become a nun. Marie opts for the convent life, primarily to seek vengeance against Leopolda. In the convent, Marie discovers a food storage that includes her favored goat cheese. Leopolda insists Satan has trailed Marie to the convent. When Marie accidentally drops a cup under the stove, Leopolda forces her to retrieve it. During the process, Leopolda steps on Marie's neck and scalds her back with boiling water to "burn him from your mind." In the aftermath of the pain, Marie hallucinates jeweled breasts. Leopolda brings Marie to her private room and applies ointment to the burns. As Marie's sanity wavers, Leopolda coerces her into bread baking. In her attempt to push Leopolda into the oven, Marie is thwarted by a poker in Leopolda's hand. Enraged, Leopolda stabs Marie's hand with a fork and knocks her out with the poker. Marie wakes up in the Mother Superior's office, surrounded by adoring nuns. Summoning Sister Leopolda, it becomes evident that Leopolda has convinced the others that Marie's bleeding hand is a miracle, showing stigmata - scars resembling Christ's crucifixion wounds. Marie feels sorry for Leopolda's tormented soul and realizes she must leave the convent.
wild geese
This narrative is conveyed through the perspective of a 14-year-old Nector Kashpaw as he recounts his encounter with Marie in 1934. He and his sibling, Eli, have hunted down two wild geese and Nector plans to sell them to the nuns at Sacred Heart Convent. He ponders over his relationship with Lulu Nanapush, his current girlfriend. Catching sight of Marie fleeing from the convent, her arm bound with a convent pillowcase, Nector speculates she has committed a theft. Believing he might be awarded for retrieving the stolen item, he intercepts her. The young pair engage in a physical and verbal altercation. The scuffle escalates into a sexual encounter, as Nector uses the dead geese he is carrying to pin Marie down. Marie's comment hoping the nuns witnessed their act takes Nector by surprise, making him feel guilty. However, Marie's laughter when he blames her for the incident perplexes him. As Marie releases the pillowcase, Nector is taken aback by the sight of her dirty, festering wound. It reminds him of the times he had to end the suffering of injured animals in the forest and he understands her strength and resilience in not crying out in pain during their fight. Nector comes to the realization that he desires Marie.
the beads
Marie Kashpaw narrates her story from 1948, detailing the arrival of nine-year-old June Morrissey, her niece, who started living with Marie and her spouse, Nector, after June's mother, Lucille, Marie's sister, passed away in the forest. June was discovered near her deceased mother, barely surviving on pine sap and berries, when two Lazarres brought her to Marie's doorstep. Looking weak and sick, with a string of black rosary beads around her neck, June is warmly welcomed by Marie who takes care of her health. Marie speaks for the quiet June to the other kids and makes sure they understand that June is not bad. When the kids play a dangerous game of pretending to hang June, Marie intervenes, leading to June insulting her and Marie punishing her by making her eat soap flakes. Marie's husband, Nector, who is habitually drunk and often missing from home, gambles and often stays out for long stretches. Nector's brother, Eli, a solitary man who resides in the forest, starts visiting them. Eli's time hunting with June in the forest helps her become more communicative. Marie endures ridicule from gossipy women who discuss Nector and Eli. A certain night sees Nector not returning home, and Eli and Marie sharing a warm moment before Eli rushes out. Upon his return, Nector is flush with cash and makes love to Marie before leaving again the next day, taking the money with him. Marie is saddened by his departure. June decides she wants to live with Eli, and Marie lets her go. She later finds June's black rosary beads in her sewing can. Although she doesn't remove them, she often touches them, a gesture that feels like a prayer.
lulu's boys
Taking place in 1957, the narrative revolves around Lulu Lamartine, a widow and mother of eight boys. When visited by Beverly “Bev" Lamartine, her late husband's brother, she's reminded of her husband by Bev's tattoos, particularly his swallow tattoo which seems to take flight as he moves. The story takes us back to her husband's burial where Bev had honored him with a military flag. Lulu faints at the funeral, falling into the grave, causing Bev to jump in after her. Each of Lulu's sons is unique, stirring gossip in town about their paternity. Henry Junior, born nine months after his father's death, is particularly of interest as Bev intends to take him home. Bev earns his living selling children’s workbooks, using a picture of Henry Junior as his own child to gain customers' trust. Although married to Elsa, a secretary uninterested in kids, Bev develops an intense imaginary bond with Henry Junior, seeing him as his son. Upon visiting Lulu, Bev admires the neatness of her home and is presented with a homemade pincushion for his wife. Past memories surface during their conversation, as they recall a past game of strip poker, causing Bev to feel a resurgence of past jealousy. Bev even wonders if Lulu remembers their intimate moment after her husband's funeral. When Henry Junior enters, he requests Bev to make his tattoo fly. Lulu updates Bev about her sons' lives, from the oldest in college to the youngest in a highchair. The bond between the boys and their mother is strong. An intimate moment happens between Lulu and Bev, leaving Bev perplexed. As Lulu prepares dinner and cleans up, Bev reminisces about their past. As Bev contemplates leaving without taking Henry Junior and without a farewell, he pays a final visit to Lulu's room, laying with her as his bird tattoo seems to fly once more.
the plunge of the brave
Narrated by Nector Kashpaw, we journey through his life from the 1930s to 1957. Upon leaving school, he heads to Hollywood to act in a Western film where he plays a Native American man who dies falling off a horse. Later, he models nearly naked for a painting titled The Plunge of the Brave by an elderly artist, which becomes a hit at the cost of his self-worth. He returns home, lives near his brother Eli and becomes enamored with Lulu Nanapush. He then meets Marie, who significantly influences his life despite his lingering feelings for Lulu. Nector and Marie have numerous children, grieve the loss of three, and start fostering other children. Nector becomes the tribal chairman, a role that diminishes his spirit. Seventeen years swiftly pass by. In 1952, Nector realizes he still harbors feelings for Lulu while dealing with an unexpected delivery of surplus butter. He recruits Lulu to help distribute the butter, sparking an intimate encounter at a lookout point. Marie questions Nector about the missing butter, revealing his infidelity through the scent of butter on his skin. Over the next five years, Nector leads a double life, visiting Lulu weekly while working as a janitor. When Lulu gives birth to a baby resembling a Kashpaw and starts seeing Bev Lamartine, Nector becomes envious. After a heated night with Lulu, he decides to sever ties with her. As chairman, he signs off on a document relinquishing Lulu's land for a factory, a move she rejects. One fateful August night, Nector writes letters explaining his decision to leave Marie for Lulu, locking them in his briefcase. The following morning, his jealousy takes over, and Nector leaves Marie's letter in their kitchen before heading to Lulu's vacant house. As he anxiously awaits her arrival, he accidentally sets Lulu's house on fire with a lit cigarette and his proposal letter. He flees from the blaze, his passion for Lulu extinguishing. In that moment, he envisions a young Marie, an angelic figure who guides him towards liberation.
flesh and blood
The narrative unfolds from Marie Kashpaw's perspective, coinciding with the conclusion of “The Plunge of the Brave” during the summer of 1957. The tale initiates with preserving apples and introspective thoughts about Sister Leopolda's deteriorating health, which prompts Marie to visit her, accompanied by her daughter, Zelda. They carry a jar of preserved crab apples as a gift. The sight of Leopolda, frail and hairless without her habit, astonishes Marie. Despite her physical condition, Leopolda still retains her harsh and biased attitude. During their conversation, Leopolda produces a black iron spoon that she bangs against her bed frame. Marie desires the spoon as a token of Leopolda's influence over her, but the stubborn nun refuses to surrender it. In a futile attempt to confiscate the spoon, Marie asks Leopolda to bless Zelda, hoping for an opportunity to snatch it. The memory of past torment at the nun’s hands overcomes Marie, and she rises to evade a potential attack with the spoon. A struggle ensues, ending with Leopolda's collapse and Marie's departure, minus the spoon. Back home with Zelda, she finds Nector's letter revealing his intention to abandon her for Lulu. Marie contemplates the letter while peeling potatoes and realizes Zelda has read it and left to search for Nector. She continues to peel potatoes, despite her fantasies of revenge, and acknowledges her lack of anger. When her sons return with a goose, she instructs them to cook it outside due to the heat. As dusk descends, Marie opts to clean the floor, envisioning herself as “the woman who kept her floor clean even when left by her husband.” Upon completion, she hears Zelda and Nector arrive home. She tucks the letter under the salt jar and resolves to remain silent about it, leaving Nector in suspense about its whereabouts and its contents. This uncertainty will become her leverage.
a bridge
In 1973, a fifteen-year-old girl flees her home for Fargo, armed only with a bag of clothes. She spends hours at the bus station, and while cleaning up, she spots a man who looks Chippewa in military attire. She's drawn to him and tails him into the bustling Northern Pacific Avenue. The man, who'd been a POW and recently returned home, mistakes her for a Vietnamese due to her height and her bundle of possessions. He decides to approach her. They discover mutual acquaintances - she is Albertine Kashpaw and he is Henry Lamartine Junior. Their evening is spent hopping bars, where Henry demonstrates a peculiar trick with knives and glasses. They check into a hotel, and Henry realizes his drunkenness surpasses Albertine's. As Albertine secludes herself to the bathroom, Henry, in his drunken delirium and reminiscent of Vietnam, joins her. He requests cigarettes, which she fetches, despite her growing apprehensions. He smokes in silence, observing her. He proposes they sleep together, literally, and she consents. In bed, she flirts but his drunken state limits his responses. However, he suddenly sobers up and they sleep together. Come morning, Albertine barely recalls the previous night's events but is aware of the discomfort she feels. She reaches out to a still slumbering Henry who reacts violently, startling her and sending her crashing to the ground. He meets her there, weeping.
the red convertible
The narrative unfolds through Lyman Lamartine's eyes, as he chronicles the tale of himself and his brother, Henry Junior. The brothers bought a red Oldsmobile convertible in 1970. That summer, they embarked on a carefree journey in their new car, picking up a girl named Susy along the way and even following her all the way to her home in Alaska. Their stay in Alaska was brief, camping close to Susy's home until the changing seasons prompted their return to North Dakota. Shortly after, Henry Junior is drafted and sent to Vietnam, leaving Lyman to maintain their beloved car in his absence. Upon Henry Junior's return from war, it's clear he's a changed man. His restlessness and temperament worry Lyman and their mother, Lulu. To help Henry Junior, Lyman purposely damages their car. Henry Junior takes on the task of repairing the car, which seems to help him find some calm and semblance of his former self. Following the car's repair, the brothers take a triumphant ride and a snapshot of this moment is clicked by their sister, Bonita. The photograph later ends up hidden in Lyman's closet, as he can't stand to look at Henry Junior's face in it. As the narrative resumes, the brothers decide to take a trip to the Red River. Amidst the tranquility of their surroundings, Henry Junior confronts Lyman about the deliberate damage to the car. A scuffle ensues, followed by laughter and eventually singing and dancing as they drink their cooler dry. Tragically, Henry Junior plunges into the river and is swept away by the current, with his last words being, "My boots are filling." Despite Lyman's desperate efforts, he can't save his brother. In his grief, he sends their cherished car into the river after Henry Junior.
scales
Albertine Johnson, a 22-year-old, narrates a tale revolving around herself, Gerry Nanapush, and his wife, Dot Adare. They are at a bar when a cop unsettles Gerry, who's spent half his life in prison, leading him to exit swiftly. Albertine recalls an encounter with a pregnant Dot, who found Gerry's arm around Albertine, causing a dramatic scene. Albertine later lands a job at a weighing station with Dot as her colleague. Despite a rocky start, they form an unlikely friendship. Dot tirelessly knits baby clothes at work while Gerry, a large Chippewa, is imprisoned again. Gerry realizes the disparity between the credibility of white and native American witnesses, which puts him at a disadvantage. This realization begins a cycle of imprisonment for Gerry. Dot attempts to hide him in her trailer but fails. Dot is upset about facing childbirth alone. Albertine discovers evidence of someone sleeping at the weigh station. Subsequently, a truck comes in overweight, with Gerry found hiding inside. He departs with Dot, leaving Albertine alone at the station to finish knitting. Albertine daydreams about Dot and Gerry's life together. To her surprise, Gerry shows up and requests Albertine's presence at the birth of their baby. However, moments before being arrested in the hospital, Gerry escapes. The police fire shots at him but miss. Dot gives birth to a girl, Shawn. She visits the station often, nursing Shawn. Gerry's re-arrest, this time for murder, lands him in a high-security prison. Dot and Albertine attempt to weigh Shawn on the station's scales, but her light weight fails to register.
crown of thorns
The narrative, told by an unseen observer, shifts focus between Gordie Kashpaw, previously identified as June’s spouse, and Sister Mary Martin, a Sacred Heart Convent nun. The tale unfolds in Eli’s kitchen with Gordie appearing drunk and desperate for more liquor, even early in the morning. Gordie, who became an alcoholic a month following June's death, is ailing and desolate. He gets wine on credit from Royce and passes out at home until night when he shouts June's name out of fear, since Marie warned against calling the dead. He then sees June's ghostly image in his mirror. As he experiences a vision of June tidying up, a toaster short-circuits, causing a bright flash. Panicked, Gordie drives away and accidentally hits a deer. Forgetting the trunk key, he places the deer in the backseat to exchange it for liquor. He is horrified to find the deer sitting upright and alive, staring at him through the mirror. Gordie kills the deer with a crowbar, likening the animal to June and believing he just killed her again. The focus then shifts to Sister Mary Martin in the convent. Unable to sleep, she plays her clarinet and composes music. Disturbed by a knock, she finds Gordie, claiming he killed his wife. Gordie leads Mary Martin to his car where she finds the dead deer, not a woman. An emotional wave overcomes her and she climbs into the car to hold the deer. Gordie runs into the woods as tribal police arrive, leaving behind only his cries in the field.
love medicine
Lipsha Morrissey, a healer with "the touch," narrates about the couple who raised him, Marie and Nector Kashpaw. Lipsha has a special bond with the couple, but he is unable to cure Nector's dementia which he refers to as his "second childhood." Nector is known for his infidelity with Lulu Lamartine, and all three now reside in the same retirement home. Through Lipsha's recollection, we learn about Nector's bold church prayers and an incident where Lipsha discovered Nector and Lulu in a compromising position. Throughout this encounter, Nector admits his letter ignited the fire that destroyed Lulu’s house, a confession that is lost on her. To bring Marie and Nector closer, Lipsha aims to create a love potion from goose hearts. Unfortunately, he misses his shot at the geese and opts for turkey hearts from a store instead. After attempting to get them blessed by Sister Mary Martin, Lipsha eventually blesses the hearts himself with holy water. Tragically, Nector chokes on the turkey heart and passes away before help arrives. Marie collapses at the sight of his death, and Lipsha faints too. Nector’s funeral is attended by family and friends from far and wide, including Albertine, a medical student. A week following the funeral, a grieving Marie insists that Nector is still around so Lipsha stays with her. They both agree that meddling with love potions was a mistake. In a strange twist, Marie claims to have felt Nector in bed with her which Lipsha sends away, with directions to seek out Aunt June for solace. Upon waking up the next day, Lipsha confesses to Marie about the turkey hearts, assuring her of Nector's love. Marie gifts Lipsha her rosary beads touching his heart, leading him to tears. As he goes out to pick dandelions, he sees them as a symbol of unending life.
the good tears
Told by Lulu Lamartine in 1982, the story unfurls in two segments. The first part focuses on Lulu's past experiences, such as discovering a deceased man in her childhood play-den and learning about death, which ends in a tearful episode on a school bus. Lulu openly states that love ruled her life, and she had little regard for societal norms. When faced with the threat of land seizure by the tribal chief, Nector Kashpaw, Lulu defends her rights before the tribal council. She blames the tribe for sacrificing their integrity to court favor with the US government. Lulu shockingly reveals that she knows Nector is responsible for her house fire after seeing the malice in his eyes when she declared her intention to marry Bev Lamartine. Lulu narrates her daring escape from the burning house while saving Lyman, losing her hair in the process. She agrees to a new house on an elevated piece of land. Lulu gives birth to her only daughter, Bonita, at almost fifty. Her new residence becomes a bustling hub of family and guests. Aged sixty-five, she relocates to a Senior Citizen's home and starts anew. The second section covers Lulu's life within the retirement home. Despite her failing sight, she recognizes Nector. However, Nector does not remember her. Lulu reflects on Marie but is hesitant to connect with her. She learns of Nector's death during her eye operation. Nector visits her in her dreams, causing her to mourn his demise. Following her eye operation, Marie steps in to assist Lulu during her recovery. The women bond over coffee and music, avoiding any mention of Nector. Instead, Marie tenderly tends to Lulu's healing eyes, leading to an intimate moment where Lulu likens Marie's blurry image to a "mother as seen by her newborn child."
crossing the water
The initial part is narrated by young King Howard Kashpaw Junior who prefers to be called Howard. He describes the bathroom wallpaper and the constant arguments between his parents. He is anxious about his father's potential arrest by the police. The following section unfolds through Lipsha Morrissey's perspective. He hears King in a heated exchange with his wife, and he knows they are half-brothers, both children of June. Lulu, after regaining her sight, discloses to Lipsha that his parents are Gerry, her son, and June Kashpaw and that Gerry will soon be out of jail. Despite initial disbelief, Lipsha eventually accepts this truth. Lipsha's next interaction with Lulu reveals that his mother, June, didn't want him dead and Marie Kashpaw, his grandmother, also loved him. Disturbed, Lipsha steals money from Marie and drinks with a veteran near the border. He then realizes that his father Gerry plans to escape from prison and he decides to meet him, opting to join the army and leave town. Lipsha gets in touch with King, his half-brother, and recalls their childhood and their time in prison together. Their conversation shifts to their shared feeling of being stuck in life. They play poker, using cereal as currency, and learn about Gerry's prison escape on TV. Lipsha anticipates Gerry's arrival, which happens soon after. In the third part, Gerry accuses King of betraying him in prison. They all play cards together and Lipsha suggests that they use King's car as a bet. When Lipsha wins, King hands over the car keys just as the police arrive. Gerry vanishes and Lipsha calms scared King Junior, asking for the car's registration. In the concluding part, Lipsha drives away, discovering Gerry hiding in the trunk. They discuss Lulu's fortitude and June's charm while heading towards the border for Gerry's escape. Gerry assures Lipsha that the army won't take him back due to his abnormal heartbeat. After a heartfelt embrace, Gerry crosses the border and Lipsha heads home, pausing on a bridge to reflect on his parents.
