Four souls, three narrators, one protagonist and four lives brought together by fate to heal each other's pasts and determine each other's futures. This is the heart of Louise Erdrich's novel, Four Souls.

Through lyrical, flowing language, Erdrich tells the story of Fleur Pillager, a young Native American woman on a mission to revenge the land that was taken from her ancestors.

The narrators are a Native American couple who serve as surrogate parents to Fleur and the sister-in-law of the man who robbed Fleur and her people of their land.

With this complex combination of multiple perspectives, Erdrich encompasses each narrator's personal story, and yet is able to provide a voice for her protagonist, Fleur.

Fleur takes on the name Four Souls as a type of protection in her vengeance.

Erdrich uses the name in a creative and intricate manner to express her ultimate theme.

Instead of serving as an instrument of revenge, the name becomes the means by which four souls learn to swallow their pride, open their hearts and realize the beauty in change without sacrificing themselves.

A touching story, however, occasional attempts at comic relief tend to fall short of any purpose and seem out of place in the tone of the story.

Aside from these minor distractions, Erdrich succeeds in an interesting plot line and a powerful, yet simple, message in the traditional manner of Native American storytelling.

-- By Paige Reddinger