Book Review: The Game of Silence

Module 5

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Erdrich, Louise. The Game of Silence. New York: Harper Collins Publishers, 2005. ISBN 0-06-029789-1

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Erdrich takes the reader through four seasons of the life of Omakayas, a young girl from the Ojibwe tribe. She spends her days drying fish, tanning hides, working in the ricing camps, making canoes, and listening to the spirits. However, her way of life is threatened when the chimookomanag, white people, demand that the Ojibwe leave their island and go farther west.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Erdrich is authentic in her representation of the Ojibwe and avoids stereotyping Native Indian tribes. The culture, lifestyle, and daily routines of the Ojibwe are represented without overwhelming the plot of the story. It is clearly stated where the story takes place, Lake Superior, 1850, so the reader has an accurate image of the setting. Erdrich includes words and sayings from the Ojibwemowin language throughout the story. These words and phrases are often spoken by the characters in the story, and are either preceded or followed by the English translation. This does not affect the flow of the text and gives the story more authenticity. If the reader is unsure about the meaning of a word or phrase, they can refer to the glossary and pronunciation of terms in the back of the book. However, because the Ojibwemowin language was a spoken language and not a written language, Erdrich used phonetic spellings for some of the words in order to make it easier for the reader. She apologizes for any mistakes and offers suggestions for more accurate sources about the Ojibwemowin language. Erdrich tells the story from the point of view of the character Omakayas, a young girl who may does not yet understand all the ways of adults and the white people. Much of the story revolves around evolving the character of Omakayas and telling about the daily lives of the Ojibwe. In doing so, Erdrich underlines the theme throughout the whole book; the Ojibwe’s way of life is about to end. If they are forced from their homes, they will lose their hunting and fishing grounds, their livelihood. Readers will sympathize with the Ojibwe as they are forced to leave their homes, possessions, and pets behind.

4. AWARDS AND REVIEW EXCERPTS

*Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction

*School Library Journal: "Erdrich’s captivating tale of four seasons portrays a deep appreciation of our environment, our history, and our Native American sisters and brothers."

*Kirkus Reviews: “Eager readers beguiled by her sturdy and engaging person will scarcely notice that they have absorbed great draughts of Ojibwe culture, habits and language.”

5. CONNECTIONS

*Read the prequel to The Game of Silence:

Erdrich, Louise. The Birchbark House. ISBN 978-0786803002

*Members of the Ojibwe are given names that reflect their character and actions. Have students decide what their name would be if one was given to them by the Ojibwe.

*Omakayas finds the ways of the chimookomanag, or white people, to be very foreign. Discuss with the students how foreign they find the ways of the Ojibwe. What traditions or methods do they wish were a part of their culture?