Ivan DoigRezensionen

This is the book # 2 in the Medicine Country series. I did not read book one. Morrie travels to Butte, Montana, and takes several jobs: a crier for Irish wakes at a funeral home, a bookkeeper at the Library, and an advisor to the miners. The pace is slow and there just doesn't seem to be a spark to ignite the story. The ending just fizzled. It was a very local piece. It reminded me of Garrison Keillor books, which I do not appreciate. 306 pages

This is a heartwarming, inspiring, uplifting story of courage and optimism as told through the eyes of a seventh-grade boy in Montana in 1909 and the one-room schoolhouse that serves as the center of his community. Doig's writing is superb, drawing the reader ever forward at an even pace with creative uses of language and humorous plays on words. In a way, the book is an ode to great teachers, no matter their credentials, such as the one who leads the Marias Coulee school for most of the story.

I wondered if he could possibly maintain the momentum of the previous two books, in terms of pacing, plot, and interest. He did all that and more. By half-way through I could not put this book down. So, so good. Right to the very last page, I was spell-bound.

Thank you Ivan Doig, for some of the most engaging, thoughtful fiction I have read in ages. The three "Morrie" books were a total pleasure!

I don't have any idea how I heard about this book. It is certainly NOT the kind of story I'd normally gravitate to. And I regret to say I'd never heard of Mr. Doig.

But wow.

I am so glad I gave it a try. This book is a treasure.

His writing is exquisite, the characters (including the most important one -- the land) are some of the most vivid I've read in ages, and the pacing is a slow build that turns on a dime. Wonderful!

It was one of those books that I honestly hated to finish. I almost never give 5 stars, but this one earned each and every one.

I was shocked that this could top "Whistling Season." But it did. Following the next adventures of Morrie, and in his voice this time, it was a joy from start to finish.

Where have you been all my life, Ivan Doig??? Gorgeous writing, wonderful pacing (notice the bags under my eyes for staying up all hours), and fascinating story-telling about something I knew nothing about.

Excellent. Intriguing information about WW2 stuff I was not aware of and set in the fictional town of his prior trilogy - so some old friends revisited.

Ivan Doig here hits his stride, leading from the slow moving and uneven memoirs of House of Sky and Winter Brothers,
into the evolution of his novels.

Letters willed to him from his Uncle Wally guide the progression from the Montana mountains to the Arizona deserts,
as the Family deals with Bernata's asthma and Charlie's recovery.

(Map, oh Map, Our Kingdom for a Map...!)

I was drawn to Ivan's tenderhearted Grandma, rather than to his Trapline Mother.

Winter Brothers opens with the first of many compelling Haida animal prints.

Ivan Doig continues with many detailed descriptions of artworks which would deeply benefit from
photographs in future editions.

Mr. Doig weaves in his own research and path to retrace James Gilchrist Swan steadily composing
beautifully descriptive narrative diaries of his wildly fluctuating life and travels.

For January 1st, 1860:

"May it be not only the commencement of the week, the month
and the year, but the commencement of a new Era in my life,
and may good resolve result in good action."

Both men are deeply enthralled with all The West has to offer, from mountains, waters, and weather
to the glorious art - encompassing ivory canes on into the tremendous carved columns -
and the highly individual characters drawn to the part of the earth that they loved.

Little attention is given to the sometimes cruel and frightening Makah superstitions,
as well to Swan shooting his cat and collecting so many animals and "Indian skulls" for SMITHSONIAN "specimens."

While the Queen Charlotte conclusion is great for the Winter Brothers, the middle is often prolonged, repetitive
and with confusing date transitions.

We sure wish there was a brief sequel that followed the fate of the amazing Johnny Kit Elswa,
as well as the daughter that Swan deserted, then connected with - did she inherit his land?

Yes, THIS HOUSE OF SKY immerses readers, with beautiful and lyrical words,
into Ivan Doig's early challenging ranch work life and his later evolutions as a writer...
and yet, there is never any compassion for the "frenzied bleating...and moaning" of the sheep.

His father, Charlie Doig emerges as the hero, determined to keep his son close to him and strong
following the death of his wife, his unfortunate remarriage and eventual unity with his mother-in-law.

Plots slows with tedious McGrathisms and some over-lengthy backstories.

WOW - Full Tuition Scholarship at Northwestern - who wouldn't want that?!

And yet, why didn't they all let their neighbors care for their loyal dog instead of just putting him down...?½

While the ongoing travel around Montana turns into a rather boring long saga and Jick's dialogue is not up to [Rascal Fair] or {English Creek],
there is still notable writing when Jick carries his Churchill speech along and the angry Buffalo delivers a well-deserved punch.

The Baloney Express was a true highlight!

Why there is no compassion for lamb and sheep slaughtering is never explained.

And why didn't The Rangers shot the Grizzly again with a tranquilizer instead of killing him?

And why do Indians always get a pass on the extreme cruelty of the Buffalo over the cliff killing
of so many creatures just left to die.

Riley's articles were erudite fun reading.

Riley's best line: "Aw, crud,"

Jick's best line: "this place is still in a bad mood."

Mariah's best: "ack-ack-ack-ack."

And, from Garland Good Hope Hebner: "A time was had by all."

I sure miss Lucas Barclay and Angus McCaskil!

Prairie Nocturne deeply explores Susan, Wes, and Montgomery's thoughts, backgrounds,
and evolving motives and love, while always moving close to Two Medicine.

Sure did not see the endings coming around those high Rockies though Ninian's role was predictable.

And yet, what is missing? How Monty could take a chance on ruining The Observance by insisting
on including Susan? Once again, he is rescued by Wes. This was majorly disappointing since
he was supposed to be making his new Life on his own.

As well, assuming that Europe will welcome his mixed "marriage" felt off = hello Germany...

And what does Montgomery Rathbun look like?!?
Dark yes, but as tall or taller than Susan and Wes?
Or shorter because he fit in a barrel?

And, with Wes and his extensive thoughts around North Fork,
why does he never explain how he is not totally bored in New York Society
and - if he cannot convert to get a divorce and so finally honor Susan,
what is on his mind?

Ivan Doig - we need you back for The Sequel!½

Few authors would be brave enough to attempt a complete history of The Fort Peck Dam and impressive that Ivan Doig delivered it!

The smooth gentle cover is an entry into this exceptional tale enlivened by humor.

What is missing is the anticipated rousing, rip-roaring, roof lifting Duff finale drama/reaction/fury scenario !!!!!

Sheriff Kinnick and Neil ("Bucking the Sun") were those I most cared about, with Owen until...½

There's Everything to love about this ENGLISH CREEK backstory, form Ivan Doig's vivid and compelling descriptions
of The Two Medicine land and its ever-changing weather to the engaging and honest characters.

Where it slips, and loses a half star, is allowing Adair to insistently refer to herself in the third person,

As well, there is no explanation at all why good old Anna did not prepare Angus by simply writing to him from her
new summer of lust with Isaac. That alone should have made him let go of his eternal Anna obsession.

From the opening death of the beautiful horse Ginger to many character's deaths,
none was less necessary to the plot than my favorite character, Lucas Barclay.

Many readers may still be singing along with "DANCING AT THE RASCAL FAIR"!½

English Creek opening is a great celebration of Rain!

Sheep (with no compassion for the creatures) are woven in with the gentle adventures of
The McCaskill Family and indelible descriptions of The Two Medicine lands, reefs, and mountains.

While rodeos are tough to get through, Ivan Doig delivers a Classic Fourth of July,
with Jick's Mother's rousing speech a real surprise to characters and readers!

The hand drawn map works perfectly to check on scenery locations and families.

Readers may still wonder why good man Varick McCaskill did not quietly insist to Stanley
that he request a transfer or leave of absence or help him find another job instead of turning him in.

As well, while Alec's eventual demise was fairly predictable, adding the death of Varick was an unfortunate ending to his story.
For this favorite character, we would have wanted his impact in the 3rd book of the trilogy.

This book literally blew me away. It wasn't at all what I expected or anything like any books that I've read before. Ivan Doig wrote this book in 2008, and it's been sitting on my TBR shelf for at least 3 years. Only because I am making a conscious effort to read my books that I've had around for awhile, did I happen to land on this one. What a book this was! If you are not a fan of true to life WWII stories, and if you don't care to visit some key battles and sites from this war, or if you don't like graphic war scenes, you probably will not enjoy this book. This book of Ivan Doig's is the most gripping and emotional fiction I've ever read about WWII. It is all tied around an all-American university football team that was readying itself for the finals when Pearl Harbour was bombed. All eleven team members from Montana enlisted immediately. All elven team members were posted in different parts of the world to fight their own war. One, the team captain, Ben Reinking, finds himself being posted as a war correspondent chronicling the heroics and the lives of all the various members of his former team and where each is serving in the war. Ben is following in his father's footsteps as a journalist. His father owns and runs the local paper in Ben's hometown. Ben's assignment takes him to various well-known battlefields around the world such as Guam, Nome, Alaska, and Antwerp where the book comes to an end. Right from the very beginning of the story where we meet a young football hopeful by the name of Purcell, who would give is all for a chance to play on this dream team to the final pages in Antwerp and the Battle of the Bulge, where yet another teammate meets his end, I didn't dare breathe.. By the time, I shut the book, I had to take a deep breath and try to come back to reality. I really couldn't put this book down. It left me guessing and hanging right up until the very last two pages. And by the end of the book, only one of the famous and doomed Montana Eleven was left standing. Highly recommend! Fabulous book! It will go near the top of my special favourites list.

This is the story of two friends from Nethermuir, Scotland, who decided to take a chance on a new life in America in 1889. Rob Barclay was the most enthusiastic, and he had a prosperous relative already established in Montana who sent money home every Christmas---surely he'd be able to give two eager young men a grand start. Angus McCaskill was slightly more cautious, but ultimately took the plunge into steerage along with Rob. Their adventures with homesteading, sheep ranching, schoolrooms and matrimony make marvelous reading, as usual with Doig. This one I found a little more heart-wrenching than others of his; there is sadness, loss, bitterness and regret along with loyalty, duty, dancing and love at work here, and its realism is remarkable. I subtracted a star for the fact that I could see several plot developments coming in the last third of the book, and then put half of it back because it was all done so darned well, and because when all was said and done, our Angus realized what was critically important to him and clung to it..½

Ivan Doig's best book, The Whistling Season, should be required reading for all teachers -
featuring a lot of fun and mystery for the rest of us!

From Whistling Housekeeper to Whistling Swans, readers can share Paul's unusual journey through the secrets of living.

Sure wish that Morrie Morgan had added Cooking to his Science teaching - a lot of students and their families would have benefited greatly!

Harmonices Mundi to Marias Coulee splendid rural school!

Work Song offers a complicated 1919 followup to the 5 Star WHISTLING SEASON.

Humor abounds, notably between Morrie L., his librarian boss rare book collector, Samuel S., and his three House Companions.

Odd that Morrie would take a chance on a child getting caught with a "Chicago" message.

An historical novel based on a paragraph from an old newspaper, Doing has infused this story with drama, adventure, and given the men character and charisma. At first I was dismayed by his very long sentences, but as the story developed and the men became real on the page, the writing trimmed up and became the prose I expect from Ivan Doig.

Describing a man who is sparse in his replies to questions: "Words were having their spines snapped there..." This turned out to be a great survival adventure and by the end I couldn't put it down.

In the summer of 1951, orphaned eleven year old Donal “Donny” Cameron was sent on a “dog bus" (Greyhound) from Gros Ventre, Montana, to stay with his great Aunt Kate and Uncle Herman, known as Dutch, in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, while his Grams recovered from an operation. But, she had lost her job as a cook at the Double W ranch because of the long recovery time needed for this surgery. As Donny, with his old suitcase, $30, and an autograph book, travelled alone for two days and nights, he would meet strangers along the way and have them sign quotes, poems, or anything they wanted to write, into his infamous autograph book.

Once arriving in Wisconsin, things were not as appeared. Donny was sent up into the attic to live out the summer, and his Aunt Kate, was just as Gram had always described her...mean, bossy and ruthless...an unfair person. Kate had accidentally thrown Donny’s $30 away, which had been pinned into one of his dirty shirts he arrived with. But, she blamed him for not removing it first, and wasn’t about to give him spending money while there for the summer. Kate and Herman fought incessantly. She considered him worthless, so he spent most of his time in the greenhouse growing plants. And that’s where Donny would also find himself to get away from Kate...until she could not handle him any longer and decided to send him away to an orphanage until his Grams recovered.

But, while on the greyhound bus, Herman suddenly showed up and plopped down onto the seat next to Donny. He’s got money and they are off to see the West, which had always been a dream of Herman’s. Donny finds out Herman’s real story. He’s not Dutch at all, but a German who ran from Hitler’s war and ended up in America illegally. He and Kate were actually never married, but she had taken his name just to avoid any gossip.

So, now the two of them had freedom of the road for the summer, just wherever the “dog bus” ran. They made it to the Crow Fair in Crow, Montana. And here they met Rags Rasmussen, only the rodeo champ of the WORLD. They next headed to Yellowstone, but here they met trouble. Kate had turned Herman in as an illegal alien, and one of the passengers on the previous bus ride had stolen all of Herman’s money.

They ended up hoboing in Wisdom, Montana, where they got jobs during the hay season. As luck would have it, they ended up on Rags Rasmussen’s ranch. And just when it looked like the law had finally caught up with them, Rags came to the rescue. He found out their real story and offered both Herman and Donny a permanent place on the ranch, and since he needed a good cook, he also offered Donny’s grandmother a job.
A perfectly happy ending!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ivan Doig was born 27 Jun 1939 in White Sulphur Springs, Montana. His dad was a real ranch hand and his mom a ranch cook. The storyline is completely fictional but bits of the story's settings, such as the Crow Festival and life of the hobos who move around for summer work are real. The idea of a young boy traveling alone on a greyhound bus came from one of his dear friend in life who actually did have to travel alone when young.

He died at age 75 on 09 Apr 2015. This was his very last book of 16 of which he had written. Most, fiction and nonfiction, were set in Montana.

Doig's fiction, set in early-20th-century Montana, always rings true, and this coming-of-age tale is no exception.

Narrator Paul is the eldest of the Milliron boys at 12, when their widowed father, intrigued by a personal advertisement, hires a housekeeper to come out from far-off Minneapolis to bring order (and home cooking) into their bachelor existence.Things don't go as planned from the get-go -- for one, she doesn't cook, and for another, she has brought her somewhat dandified brother along with her. It's obvious that there is more (and less) to Rose Llewellyn than she's telling, but when the full story is finally revealed, most readers won't have seen that particular twist coming.

Meanwhile, it's a pleasant and nostalgic journey through the year of a small dryland farming community, enlivened by an unexpected turnover at the one-room schoolhouse and by the 1910 arrival of Halley's Comet. Much of the drama centers around that schoolhouse and the adventures of Paul, his brothers, and their schoolmates.

Doig uses a framing device to tell the story as a grown-up Paul, now the Superintendent of Montana's Public Instruction must face the bitter task of overseeing the closure of the state's one-room schoolhouses. It seems an odd stylistic choice at first. The main thrust of the novel deals with Paul's coming-of-age, and it's a bit jarring to have it shell out every five or six chapters so the adult Paul can step in, wrestling with the decision he knows he must make but resisting it with all his heart. Doig, however, has had a good reason all along and manages to bring everything to a satisfying and relevant conclusion.

Slow, yet supremely captivating; this tale of a young boy growing up in the back of his father's bar during the sixties is such a captivating portrait of Americana. Nestled deep in the mountains of the Montano medicine country is the Medicine Lodge ran by a bowtie wearing stickler named Tom Harry. His twelve year old son Rusty is about to have one of the most memorable summers of his life and at the heart of it is the bar and its many patrons. It's 1960 and the world is changing, the Top Spot Diner has new owners and they have brought with them their twelve year old daughter, Zoe. Despite their initial misgivings the two of them become fast friends and Rusty wastes no time showing her all the wonders of the back room in the bar. Together they listen to the wild tales of the bar goers and see Tom Harry in all his glory. Leisurely told without much plot, this tale is still enthralling - I loved all the characters and this town (especially the bar) seemed so real to me. Fantastic storytelling!

A beautifully written memoir of the author's childhood and growing up in a now vanished near-wild landscape, with a particular emphasis on how necessity and hardship, and even tragedy, can draw people together, and bond even enemies into that extraordinary and powerful thing we call a family. His unflinchingly honest portrayals of his father and grandmother, with all their faults and foibles, demonstrate the power of this transformation, and the foundation it creates for navigating through life.

A tale told by 14-year old Jick McCaskill, growing up in the “Two Medicine” country of Montana. Pretty good evocation of locale and local customs. Sort of a “Boy’s Life” story. First installment of a trilogy.

I got a little more than halfway through and had to stop.
No interesting characters and a going nowhere story. I get that it was the author’s last book but some paring down on parts that just drag on forever, would have been a good idea.