Love Medicine Summary

In the mid-1930s, a 14-year-old girl named Marie Lazarre escapes a torturous life at a convent, where she was housed and maltreated by a perverse nun. Fleeing this harsh environment, she encounters a boy named Nector Kashpaw, who mistakenly believes she's a thief. They end up forming a bond that leads to a long, challenging marriage and several children. Around 1948, they take in a nine-year-old orphan, June Morrissey, who comes to them filthy and malnourished but flourishes under their care. June grows particularly attached to her Uncle Eli and eventually moves in with him.

Fast forward to 1957, a woman named Lulu Lamartine tries to navigate life after her husband's tragic death. She ends up becoming romantically involved with her brother-in-law, Bev, leading to the birth of their son. Alongside these events, Nector recounts his past, including his youthful stardom in Hollywood Western films and his deep-seated affection for Lulu. Despite being married to Marie, Nector rekindles his romance with Lulu, leading to a complicated love triangle that causes a series of chaotic incidents.

In the early 1980s, the focus shifts to a young man named Lipsha Morrissey, who was adopted by Marie and Nector. Lipsha possesses a healing touch, which he uses in his job at a senior citizens home where Marie, Nector, and Lulu reside. As family secrets unfurl, Lipsha learns about his true parentage and his connection to June and a man named Gerry Nanapush. This revelation sets Lipsha on a journey of self-discovery that involves helping his biological father escape from prison and eventually accepting his true identity.