The Seed Keeper by Diane Wilson follows Rosalie Iron Wing, a Dakhóta woman taken into foster care at age 12 after her father's death. As an adult, she marries a farmer and tries to pass on Dakhóta culture to her son amidst economic struggles. After her husband's death, Rosalie returns to her ancestral cabin to reconnect with her heritage and finds solace and strength in her community and ancestral seeds. This book references extreme violence, including rape and genocide.

Diane Wilson's novel The Seed Keeper has garnered praise for its poetic prose, compelling narrative, and rich cultural insights. Reviewers commend its exploration of Indigenous heritage and resilience. Some critiques note a slow pacing and dense information. Overall, it is lauded for its emotional depth and historical significance, despite minor structural drawbacks.

Readers who appreciate The Seed Keeper by Diane Wilson are typically drawn to stories that explore themes of cultural heritage, resilience, and indigenous history. Fans of Louise Erdrich’s The Round House or Robin Wall Kimmerer’s Braiding Sweetgrass will find Wilson's narrative compelling and enriching.

Contemplative / Melancholic / Mysterious / Bittersweet / Emotional

Diane Wilson

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore The Seed Keeper reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read The Seed Keeper | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore The Seed Keeper and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Seed Keeper Summary and Study Guide

Background

The Seed Keeper Background

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prologue and Part 1

Prologue and Part 1, Chapters 1-4

The Seed Keeper Prologue and Part 1, Chapters 1-4 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “Dormancy: A Seed Dreams”

Part 2, Chapters 5-12

The Seed Keeper Part 2, Chapters 5-12 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “Germination: A Seed Awakens”

Part 3, Chapters 13-20

The Seed Keeper Part 3, Chapters 13-20 Summary & Analysis

Part 4: “Pollination: And the Corn Said Know Me”

Part 4, Chapters 21-27

The Seed Keeper Part 4, Chapters 21-27 Summary & Analysis

Part 5: “Wačhékiye: The Earth Hears Me”

Part 5, Chapters 28-36

The Seed Keeper Part 5, Chapters 28-36 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

The Seed Keeper Character Analysis

theme

Themes

The Seed Keeper Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The Seed Keeper Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

The Seed Keeper Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

The Seed Keeper Essay Topics

The Seed Keeper

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Seed Keeper?

Reading Age

Book Details