After years of incarceration, Tookie landed a job as a bookseller at a small independent bookstore in Minneapolis. Nonetheless, her peaceful life is upended when a white customer who claims to have indigenous roots dies and starts haunting Tookie in her beloved bookstore. In a year of unrest and grief, Tookie must try to solve the mystery of her haunting by facing her ghosts from the past and present.

THE SENTENCE is a remarkable novel that explores the complexities of relationships, the impact of historical oppression on individuals and communities, and the struggles of small business owners during times of social unrest. Erdrich's unique writing style immediately drew me in, with her masterful use of language and the interweaving of multiple storylines.

The novel is so much more than a ghost story and discusses other aspects, including Tookie's struggles with friendships and family, her husband working as a policeman as an indigenous person, the effects of the pandemic on marginalized communities, and the profound impacts of the Black Lives Matter movement. Erdrich deftly portrays how these events affect individuals and communities that are historically oppressed and discriminated against.

The title of the book, THE SENTENCE, takes on multiple meanings throughout the story. It can refer to the ghost's unfinished business, the legal consequences of a flawed justice system, the emotional burden of trauma, and the weight our words carry. Erdrich's exploration of the various interpretations of THE SENTENCE is thought-provoking and profoundly moving.

THE SENTENCE is a powerful and engaging novel that touches on a wide range of complex issues. While the story can seem meandering at times, it is a must-read for those interested in exploring indigenous literature.