The Painted Drum

by Louise Erdrich

First published 2005

When appraiser Faye Travers stumbles upon a rare tribal drum, its ghostly song transports her to a tragic past. As she traces the artifact's history, she uncovers a family's shattering loss and the power of its lingering melodies to transform those who hear them. Erdrich's lyrical tale weaves together the threads of grief, cultural legacy, and the enduring human capacity for resilience and redemption.

Genres: literary-fiction, historical-fiction, cultural, family-drama

Vibes: atmospheric, lyrical, thought-provoking

Tropes: grief, redemption, resilience

Setting: New England

276 pages · Paperback · HarperCollins Publishers

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