This novel is a heavy read, but particularly now, it's also incredibly necessary and timely. The despair that echoes off the pages, and the impending grief, makes for a difficult read that feels all too true and real. And despite comparisons to A Handmaid's Tale, this work takes an unflinching look at colonialism and very real history that has already tortured peoples who only wished to live their lives. Using that history, working forward from it, then means that this book is all the more powerful. Ripe with Erdrich's gorgeous writing, the story goes where it must and can only go while still surprising readers.

The reality of this book is heartbreaking, and well worth reading.

Absolutely recommended. ( )

The pace of this audio book, as read so beautifully by the author, varies enough to have made me a bit disturbed by the abrupt and inconclusive ending. Of course, the entire story is very disturbing even for a dystopian novel. The United States (nothing known about the rest of the world, no mention) seems to be evolutionarily regressing and being taken over by Christian fanatics, who seize at first all pregnant women, and then all women of childbearing age, to monitor the moms and babies, only 15% of whom are surviving in the new environment. Heroine Cedar has just met her Ojibway birth family as the novel begins, but there are many secrets still to be revealed regarding her parentage and the intentions of Phil, the father of her child. As Cedar's pregnancy progresses, initially in secret, she is stolen away to a maternity home, a/k/a a prison. Every event is very disturbing, perhaps even more so than Handmaiden's Tale, due to the narrow focus on pregnancy. Lack of privacy and use of tiny drones is terrifying, and Cedar's odds of bringing a healthy child into this worst of all possible worlds are next to nil. Too many possible spoilers to continue. But a riveting and unsettling listen for sure. ( )

A bleak story interlaced with dashes of humor and interesting characters. Things sort of went off the rails for me in the final quarter of the book. I may have been in the wrong head-space at the time as this novel probably deserves a higher rating. ( )

I love Erdrich's writing style and her characters are always both very realistic and somewhat unconventional, and these are no different - though the book is a bit different from her usual novels. In a dystopian future, humanity is de-evolving, which most specifically means that humans as a species, in general, can no longer reproduce. So those few woman who can carry a baby to term and give birth become a valuable commodity (yes, a commodity). Enter Cedar Hawk Songmaker, who though Native American was raised by white adoptive parents and this is her white name, who is both pregnant and can carry to term. Worried about the events unfolding around her and the viability of her child, she seeks out her birth parents probing for genetic defects in her ancestry. Unsatisfied with what she discovers she goes for an ultrasound and this proves to be her undoing. Much like Atwood's "The Handmaids Tale" this book explores the question, can we be truly free if we do not have bodily autonomy? And while this book was released several decades ago, in light of recent events in our culture both this book and Atwood's become particularly poignant. This is typical Erdrich in style, development, etc. and raises issues that require deeper consideration. ( )

For those who have never read a Lousie Erdrich book, there are a few things you should know:
1. She is one incredible Native American author and brings Native culture into her books.
2. Her books are not what you would call happy books. They are deep and often explore the darker side of light, but are so worth reading anyway.
3. She often has strong female lead characters who undergo a lot, but persist through their own strength.
4. She has written 35 books! From children's books to poetry to novels to short stories. Yet, when asked, many have not had the joy of reading her books.

Future Home of the Living God does not give you much to begin with. Cedar Hawk Songmaker is pregnant and begins a quest for her biological parents. We don't know why she is in danger, but she is on the run. Revealing her pregnancy to individuals means trouble for Cedar.

As the book progresses, we see a group of religious radicals have taken over and are imprisoning pregnant women. Street names are changed, churches have become shelters, and pregnant women are disappearing never to return. Cedar is being protected and taken care of by her boyfriend.

I will not spoil anything as part of the book's draw is being in a world where you do not know much at all. The book jacket and descriptions spoil the book pretty harshly, but I won't do that in the review. One can guess though that something will happen to Cedar.

It is difficult not to draw comparisons to Handmaid's Tale in the sense that a religious group has taken over and pregnant women are the focus and strong feminine characters are present. That is where the comparisons end, although one can feel Atwood's presence within this book. Erdrich has her own spin on this though to make it very much her book.

This book, while dystopian in nature, is more about the strength and the power of women. Cedar does not need anyone to take care of her, but allows herself to be cared for at times by others. She will do anything to protect her unborn child in this world, even at the expense of her own safety. Getting her child born is the goal and loving the child no matter what is the desire.

After the initial first act where one has to get his/her bearings, this book simply takes off. It has gotten on my list of favorite books of the year. Yes, it is bleak and yes it is difficult, but get through this one as it is such an incredible story.

I gave this one 4.5 stars. ( )