In the quiet town of New Hampshire, Faye Travers, an estate appraiser, discovers a rare Native American drum that seems to sing without being touched. The drum's discovery is the starting point of a journey into its past and future, weaving a narrative across time, from a reservation in North Dakota to New Hampshire and back. As Faye delves into the drum's history, she uncovers the story of Bernard Shaawano's grandfather, who created the drum as a form of mourning. The resonant drum brings to surface the profound connections and the silent impact of lost children on the living, the unshakable bonds of family, and the deep undercurrents of grief. 'The Painted Drum' is a story that explores the enduring power of artifacts and the ways they echo through generations, told with Louise Erdrich's signature style of grace, wit, and captivating beauty.