The Bingo Palace (1994) By Louise Erdrich

There is much to like in Louise Erdrich’s novel The Bingo Palace.  Much of it is hidden.  What do I mean by that? 

When I read Erdrich’s book The Round House, written in 2012, I raved about it. Her writing is brilliant, and she knows no fear of controversial topics.  The Bingo Palace was written much earlier in her career however, published in 1994.  Her mastery of the prose is already developed, but the structure of the book is a tad confusing.  In her defense, let me acknowledge that I read the book on airplanes and in airports, not ideal settings for complexity.

The complexity is a multi-generational story, coupled with a narration by different characters, often in flashback, and alternating each chapter.  I don’t have any issue with this writing formula but, with so many characters it didn’t work for me, or more accurately, it made me work. 

The main character is named Lipsha, a member of the Chippewa tribe.   His story is compelling, heart-breaking at times, and frequently hilarious.  The primary plot is his competition with his Uncle Lyman (who is also his half-brother and lifelong best friend) for the love of a single mom named Shawnee Ray.  Lyman runs the Bingo Hall where Lipsha works, with plans to expand it into a “Palace” size operation.  Lyman is also the father of Shawnee Ray’s son.   

The time period covered by the book is during the initial legalization of gambling on reservations, beginning with Bingo – hence the title of the book.  Erdrich lets her characters report this issue as both a curse, and as an economic lifeline for reservations.

There are many subplots, not the least of which is Shawnee Ray’s desire to make her own life, sans both Lipsha and Lyman, and leave the reservation.

An underlying aspect of the book is its reflection of the balancing act between traditional Native values, and modern times.  Nowhere is this more apparent than when Lulu (Lipsha’s grandmother) gets the “last laugh” during her arrest near the end of the book – the chapter is priceless.

Recommendation:  Not her best book, but a good read.