Monday, April 20, 2026 — Native Bookshelf: “Python’s Kiss” by Louise Erdrich

About this episode

This episode features a discussion about Louise Erdrich's collection of short stories, 'Python's Kiss', along with insights from the author and her daughter.

“ Python’s Kiss ” by Louise Erdrich (Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa) is a collection of short stories that are just as poignant and rich as her novels. In “Domain,” Erdrich imagines an afterlife run like a corporate business. In “Wedding Dresses”, the protagonist relives her past marriages and what led to pain and heartbreak. Each creative story is brilliantly told through Erdrich’s wide range of compelling characters and illustrated by Aza Erdrich Abe , Louise’s daughter and long-time book cover artist. Louise and Aza join us on Native Bookshelf, our regular literary feature. Some stories in “Python’s Kiss” made previous appearances in The New Yorker, Granta, and other literary publications. Two of them are slated to appear in forthcoming prize-winning collections “The Best American Short Stories 2026” and “The Best Short Stories 2026: The O. Henry Prize Winners”. Erdrich is the author of many books that earned her multiple literary awards including the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award.

People in this episode

Guests: Louise Erdrich, Aza Erdrich Abe

Topics covered

• Native Bookshelf
• short stories
• literature
• Native American authors

Keywords

• Python's Kiss
• Louise Erdrich
• Aza Erdrich Abe
• Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Python's Kiss

Books & works: Native Bookshelf, Python’s Kiss, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, Domain, Wedding Dresses, The Best American Short Stories 2026, The Best Short Stories 2026: The O. Henry Prize Winners, the Pulitzer Prize, National Book Award

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