Helpful Score: 1
Ivan Doig is a master storyteller. Or was....he died very recently, which makes me very sad because there won't be any more wondrous books from him to enchant us. This is his second to last novel; about a young boy who lives with his bachelor father behind the most famous bar in town. In fact, soon to be the most famous bar in Montana. Their relationship is a little rocky but saturated with love, as they learn how to live with each other and what routines to fall into. As new characters are introduced they become an integral part of the 'family' with fascinating stories of their own.
The writing is just wonderful, at times funny, sad, frustrating and you want this story to go on and on. You never really know where you are going but you sure love the ride. And when you come to the last few pages you realize you are going to be really sad when it is over, because no matter what you pick up to read next, it probably won't be nearly as good.
The writing is just wonderful, at times funny, sad, frustrating and you want this story to go on and on. You never really know where you are going but you sure love the ride. And when you come to the last few pages you realize you are going to be really sad when it is over, because no matter what you pick up to read next, it probably won't be nearly as good.
Wonderful writing, real, imperfect, lovable characters, incredible use of scenery, and a theme about the importance of voices makes this a 5 star book in my mind. Told from the point of view of a 12 year old, it's a story about regular people that winds up feeling magical. "Miracles sometimes come in disguise."
My favorite author, Ivan Doig, has written a familiar novel to those who know his writing. A boy reunites with his father and begins to accumulate a family of people related and not related to him. Secrets are revealed and the novel is turned on its head in the last few pages as a destructive force defines who is really committed to the family and who is not. Heartwarming and interesting set in rural Montana in the 1960s.
This is a friendly read with twists you do not expect. It has good character development and Montana old time life represented well. It is not a book you can't set down, but one that is fun to relax with.
This is a beautifully written book about family and life in a small Montana town. I loved the descriptions of daily life and the interactions between the characters, especially between Rusty and his dad, Tom.
This book had its moments when it was very good but in between those moments it dragged. The story was sweet; of two twelve year olds and their "adventures" in the summer of 1960. It was easy to read but many times boring. However, I LOVED the ending. The last 40 or so pages the story really kicked in and the ending was perfect. The ending bumped my rating up 1/2 star.
