Law and Literature Weekend: The Round House by Louise Erdrich

The Law and Literature Weekend Seminar showcases the strong connection between two major components of a Washington and Lee education by bringing W&L School of Law scholars together with the undergraduate faculty in the service of understanding a work of literature. Not just for lawyers, the Law and Literature Weekend has been called a “book club on steroids,” but let’s not endorse the connotation that a book club would be enhanced by artificial substances, so I will just refer to it as a “naturally robust book club.” Examining a work of literature from ethical, legal, and literary perspectives, the seminar promises to be a wonderfully rich experience for readers, lawyers, and everyone in between.

For our 33rd annual program, we will read Louise Erdrich’s National Book Award-winning novel, “The Round House.” Erdrich, a citizen of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians of North Dakota, has written close to 30 works of fiction and nonfiction and won the Pulitzer Prize for her 2020 novel, “The Night Watchman.” Widely considered to be among her most powerful novels, “The Round House” has been recognized as one of the best novels of the 21st century. The novel is told from the perspective of a 13-year-old boy, who takes on the investigation of his mother’s attack when he feels police work has fallen short. The novel’s setting is the Ojibwe reservation in North Dakota, and the story grippingly follows the experience of a young man navigating law systems and worlds that often clash in the tribal and state jurisdiction.

“The Round House” promises to conjure a rich conversation about justice, the legal rights of children, and local enforcement. Allison Weiss, professor of practice at W&L School of Law, will lead a team of experts and scholars to discuss the legal and literary implications of Erdrich’s masterpiece. Apart from the stimulating book club, we will also offer two hours of Continuing Legal Education (CLE) ethics credits for participation.

Program Cost: $275 per person
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