Pulitzer Prize winner 2021, Amazon's Best Book of 2020, New York Times bestseller, prose comparable to John Steinbeck's great novel "The Grapes of Wrath." The book is based on the true story of Louise Erdrich's grandfather's life and struggle. In 1953, Thomas, whose prototype was the author's grandfather, works as a night watchman at a factory producing jewel bearings — the first factory located near the Turtle Mountain Reservation in North Dakota. As a member of the Chippewa Indian Council, he tries to prevent the consequences of the new "emancipation" bill soon to be passed by the United States Congress. Thomas knows that if the law is enacted, the tribe will cease to exist and does everything to prevent that. "In 'The Night Watchman' Louise Erdrich rediscovers her genius... This tapestry of stories is a calling card of the writer's literary craft. Like her characters, we find ourselves 'laughing that desperate high laugh people laugh with broken hearts.'" — Ron Charles, Washington Post