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...? ( )

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. ( )

Beautifully written memoir covering his childhood and early adult years. From growing up in rough sheep herding country in Montana, until getting married, starting a career, and then seeing his beloved father and grandmother die.

Listened to the audiobook, very nicely read. ( )

Ivan Doig, beloved author, died in 2015. He was spared the spectacle of deceit and greed we are forced to view. In "This House of Sky" he presents a Memoir of family life in rural Reservation Montana in the 1940-1950's. The writing is dense, elegant, and surprising. The descriptions--get over your initial horror at the relentless adjectives--of his parents, their work, himself and his grandma are especially inspired. He describes people who know who they are.

Under the apparent stoicism of people in the face of suffering, is a narrative of lives which brought me to quiet surprises of tears. The takeaway is beauty and compassion, relentless decency, without hypocrisy. We the People are going to take back Our Government, and we will not soon forget who we are.

The author's work is available online. http://ivandoig.montana.edu/ ( )

Beautifully written account of the author’s childhood in western Montana in the 1950s. One of the best books I’ve read in a while. ( )