LaRose

LaRose Iron, the main protagonist of the novel, lives on the Ojibwe Indian Reservation in North Dakota. He is the youngest child of Landreaux and Emmaline Iron and is the brother of Hollis, Coochy, Josette, and Snow. He is also the namesake of the LaRoses in the Iron family. LaRose is five when the novel begins and about nine or ten when the novel ends. He is deeply pensive and able to commune with the dead directly. He becomes a savior to both his family and the Ravich family after Dusty Ravich is killed.

LaRose is sent by his parents to live with the Raviches as atonement for Dusty’s death. Ultimately, LaRose ends up being shared between the families. As he spends time with both families, he slowly brings them together in spite of the tragedy of Dusty. LaRose wants to protect and soothe the pains of...