Thanks to the lyrical prose and captivating exploration of Native American life in Love Medicine, readers are often eager to share their thoughts on the novel. Discussions that delve into Erdrich's artistic style and thematic content are likely the most rewarding. The use of figurative language, imagery, and symbolism stands out to readers, as does the dynamic narrative perspective throughout the stories. Similar to how medieval scholars analyze the structure and storytelling in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, readers of Love Medicine notice the thematic and character-based groupings of stories. Early reviews varied, with some referring to the book as a novel and others as a collection of stories. If considered a novel, it must develop something in place of a central character, and identifying this could be an intriguing topic for discussion.

Many characters in Love Medicine initially appear as stereotypes that white audiences might use to identify Native Americans. For instance, Gordie is portrayed as a drunken Indian, Nector as a womanizer, June as a tough, promiscuous woman, and Lipsha as a confused teenager. However, Erdrich transcends these reductive labels by providing context and understanding of their behaviors. Exploring what aspects of Native American life are depicted as healthy or unhealthy could be a productive way to discuss the book's themes.

1. Is Love Medicine a novel or a collection of short stories? If it is a novel, what central action is developed within it?

2. Reviewers and readers are captivated by Erdrich's use of symbolism. After identifying some of the key symbols and images in the stories, consider why this aspect of her writing is so compelling.

3. Erdrich alternates between omniscient and retrospective first-person narration in Love Medicine. When and where does she employ each point of view? Why does she predominantly use retrospective first person?

4. Identify the stereotypes and biased portrayals of Native Americans in Love Medicine. How does Erdrich dismantle these stereotypes? This analysis should be approached character by character.

5. The choice of living on or off the reservation creates identity issues for many Native American characters in Love Medicine. Examine characters who live both on and off the reservation and describe their identity struggles. June and Beverly Lamartine could be particularly insightful examples to consider.