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Book Reviews of The Beet Queen

The Beet Queen
The Beet Queen
Author: Louise Erdrich
ISBN-13: 9780553347234
ISBN-10: 0553347233
Publication Date: 8/1/1989
Pages: 360
Rating:
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 31

3.8 stars, based on 31 ratings
Publisher: Bantam
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

24 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

fullybooked avatar reviewed The Beet Queen on + 61 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
After reading and thoroughly enjoying Erdrich's "Master Butcher's Singing Club," I picked up this book with high expectations. I was disappointed and found the story to all be a bit strange...
maggieblue avatar reviewed The Beet Queen on + 37 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
One of the best books I\'ve ever read! It sticks with you - this one lady is a butcher. How does a butcher find a mate? It\'s tough, but she manages. Very interesting characters. Well written. Reads fast. (I\'ve read it twice.)
reviewed The Beet Queen on + 51 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Full of unique characters and complicated relationships that make for a sad/funny family story.
reviewed The Beet Queen on
Helpful Score: 2
Terrific read especially if love family sagas and relationships. The characters run in and out of your mind - sometimes likeable, sometimes not. Erdrich has a knack for making her people incredibly human. This is a little bit of everything - abandonment, friendship, love, narcissim, greed. Lots of riveting sibling animosity flying around here....very very well done. Bravo!
reviewed The Beet Queen on + 23 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Her writing is pitch-perfect and, often, breath-taking; Her stories are even better
reviewed The Beet Queen on + 5 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Per New York Times, \"A remarkable and luminous novel.\"
reviewed The Beet Queen on + 366 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
"..,a vibrant tale of abandonment and sexual obsession, jealousy and unstinting love....in 1932 young Karl and Mary Adare arrive by boxcar in North Dakota. Orphaned in a most peculiar way they look for refuge with an aunt and uncle who run a butcher shop. So begins an exhilarating forty one year saga brimming with unforgettable characters..."
reviewed The Beet Queen on + 12 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Interesting perspective from several members of a family and a few friends following their lives through 40 years.
reviewed The Beet Queen on + 210 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A book of power and precision!
reviewed The Beet Queen on + 146 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A remarkable and luminous novel Written with extraordinary power, compassion and insight into the human heart. The dialogue is brillant from start to finish.
reviewed The Beet Queen on
Helpful Score: 1
On a spring morning in 1932, young Karl and Mary Adare arrive by boxcar in Argus, North Dakota. Orphaned in a most peculiar way, Karl and Mary look for refuge to their mother's sister Fritzie, who, with husband, Pete, runs a butcher shop. So begins an exhilarating forty-year saga brimming with unforgettable characters: Ordinary Mary who causes a miracle; Seductive Karl, who lacks Mary's gift for survival; Sita, their lovely, disturbed, ambitious cousin; Wallace Pfef, a town leader bearing a lonely secret; Celestine James, a mixed-blood Chippewa, and her daughter, Dot. Theirs is a story grounded in the tenancity of relationships, the magic of natural events and the unending mystery of the human condition.

Wonderful reading. Erdrich writes with compassion and insight into the human heart. This was a New York times bestseller & her previous book, Love Medicine, won many awards.
britchick avatar reviewed The Beet Queen on + 2 more book reviews
This book was a refreshing change. It was entertaining and moved along at quite a pace. A wonderful story. Thoroughly enjoyable.
reviewed The Beet Queen on + 227 more book reviews
I LOVED this! It was a great, great story with lots of great moments.
mosquitoburrito avatar reviewed The Beet Queen on
Another great text from Louise Erdrich that explores the complexity of not-so-traditional families. I personally like Love Medicine more as I felt those characters were more fascinating and hard to read, but The Beet Queen is a great cross-generational examination of family dynamics. A good read for a mother/ teenage daughter who may not be seeing eye to eye.
reviewed The Beet Queen on + 18 more book reviews
I really enjoyed this book. When I received it this time, I realized I had read it years ago, but that did not dim the pleasure of reading it this time... it is a little bit quirky.
mountainreader avatar reviewed The Beet Queen on + 113 more book reviews
Another great novel by Louise Erdrich! I love this author. In the spring of 1932 two orphaned children arrive by boxcar in Argus, North Dakota and look for refuge with their mother's sister. So begins a 40 year saga brimming with unforgettable characters!
SutterTom avatar reviewed The Beet Queen on + 191 more book reviews
A vibrant tale of abandonment & sexual obsession, jealousy & unstinting love, brimming with unforgettable characters. With two orphans arriving at their aunt & uncles house in North Dakota at the height of the depression begins a 40 year saga about the tenacity of relationships, the wonder of natural events & the unending mystery of the human condition.
reviewed The Beet Queen on + 73 more book reviews
Enjoyed this book that took place over a period of years. Louise Erdich draws you into the stories. I am looking forward to reading her other books.
reviewed The Beet Queen on + 5 more book reviews
For those who like Louise Erdrich. I had mixed feelings about this book, but it came together well at the end.
RobinMarie avatar reviewed The Beet Queen on + 27 more book reviews
Great summer read!
Kmarie avatar reviewed The Beet Queen on + 529 more book reviews
From the award-winning author of Love Medicine comes a tale of abandonment and sexual obsession, jealousy and unstinting love. On a spring morning in 1932, young Karl and Mary Adare arrive by boxcar in Argus, North Dakota. Orphaned in a most peculiar way, Karl and Mary look for refuge to their mother's sister Fritzie, who with her husband, Pete, run a butcher shop. So begins an exhilerating 40-year saga brimming with unforgettable characters: Ordinary Mary, who causes a miracle ; seductive Karl, who lacks Mary's gift for survival; Sita, their disturbed, ambitious cousin; Wallace Pfef, a town leader bearing a lonely secret; Celestine James, a mixed-blood Chippewa and her daughter, Dot. Theirs is a story grounded in the tenacity of relationships, the magic of natural events and the unending mystery of the human condition.
reviewed The Beet Queen on + 8 more book reviews
People always give me books "they" say are fantastic. I found it boring but perhaps it's the exact thing you're looking for. Perhaps you can find a real review on Amazon.com
renegadespiritcat avatar reviewed The Beet Queen on + 198 more book reviews
In the past 10 years there has only been one other book I forced myself to read entirely. This one I just could not do that. It was dull slow starting never got up to speed, stupid characters that make dumb choices and hard to keep a flow with. I will never read another of this authors works. My time is more valuable then to be so wasted attempting to read such drivel.
reviewed The Beet Queen on + 39 more book reviews
This book is not a hardcover. It is a large paperback book, ISBN-10.