The Round House Summary

Living on an Ojibwe reservation in North Dakota is the Coutts family: father Bazil, a tribal judge, mother Geraldine, a tribal enrollment specialist, and their 13-year-old son, Joe. Their peaceful life is disrupted one day when Geraldine is brutally attacked and raped. The traumatizing incident leaves her incapable of leaving her room, motivating Bazil and Joe to seek justice. Joe, driven by this purpose, ropes in his friends to aid in the search for his mother’s assailant. Their investigation leads them to the round house on Reservation Lake, where they discover a gasoline can and unopened beer cans. Despite the grim circumstances, Joe and his friends still find time for typical adolescent fun.

As Geraldine's condition stagnates, Joe and Bazil suspect she knows the identity of her attacker yet remains silent out of fear. Their investigation leads them to Linda Wishkob, a woman with ties to the Lark family, known for their hostility towards Judge Coutts. Linda's twin, Linden Lark, radiates violence and resentment towards the judge. Meanwhile, Joe seeks guidance from his grandfather, Mooshum, who advises him to consult their clan's spirit - the Ajijaak. During this consultation, Joe discovers a doll filled with cash at the bottom of the lake, which he hides with the help of Sonja, the wife of his uncle Whitey.

In time, Geraldine finally opens up about her ordeal, revealing that she and another woman, Mayla Wolfskin, were attacked by the same man. Though she refuses to name him, the police arrest Linden Lark, confirming Joe's suspicion. Despite Geraldine's eventual identification of Linden as the assailant, he goes free due to a legal loophole, enraging Joe. As the shadow of Linden's presence in town looms, Joe and his friend Cappy devise a plan to kill him. They succeed, but Joe's parents and the police grow suspicious. The boys' alibi is corroborated by Uncle Whitey, and the discovery of the murder weapon by Linda leads to its disposal. After a tragic car accident claims Cappy's life, Joe is left in a state of shock and realization that his parents know the truth about Linden's death, but choose to remain silent as they head home.