From Publishers Weekly
The second volume in Doig's Montana trilogy focuses on two Scottish immigrants around the turn of the century.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
The settlement of Montana between 1890 and 1919 is recounted through the quiet but compelling life of Angus McCaskill, a young Scotsman who travels with his friend Rob Barclay to Montana's Two Medicine Country to homestead. Doig writes fervently of the voyage from Scotland and the lean first years, as the two share the work and hardship of establishing claims and building up flocks of sheep. He tells of their separate marriages, the severing of their friendship, and the final resolution of their conflict through death. Doig successfully recaptures the violence of the Montana elements and the staunch heritage of the Scottish settlers which served so well in his earlier novel English Creek and faithfully represents the struggle for survival on the frontier as he continues the McCaskills' story. Highly recommended.8
The second volume in Doig's Montana trilogy focuses on two Scottish immigrants around the turn of the century.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
The settlement of Montana between 1890 and 1919 is recounted through the quiet but compelling life of Angus McCaskill, a young Scotsman who travels with his friend Rob Barclay to Montana's Two Medicine Country to homestead. Doig writes fervently of the voyage from Scotland and the lean first years, as the two share the work and hardship of establishing claims and building up flocks of sheep. He tells of their separate marriages, the severing of their friendship, and the final resolution of their conflict through death. Doig successfully recaptures the violence of the Montana elements and the staunch heritage of the Scottish settlers which served so well in his earlier novel English Creek and faithfully represents the struggle for survival on the frontier as he continues the McCaskills' story. Highly recommended.8
This is a truly wonderful book -- it ranks amongst my all-time favorites. Ivan Doig's writing style is almost poetic, and very enjoyable. I highly recommend this book.
This is number two on my list of all time favorite books. It is a wonderful story about two Scottish immigrants who settle in Two Medicine country in Montana.
Doig manages to paint a vivid picture of the Big Sky country of Montana while also drilling deep into the recesses of the human heart. Life, like the Montana sheep of the McCaskills and Barclays, tends to wander in unexpected directions. You get a notion that things aren't going to be quite as rosy as Angus had anticipated and, sure enough, things go awry. It is a powerful story, convincingly told from Angus's point of view - the sense of loss and heartbreak felt very real.
Doig stated that he used some Robert Burns quotes and others he created himself. I was curious about the story the children read of the King's Remembrancer - if that was something he made up too. I'd rather like to read it myself!
As a Scots immigrant myself who has traveled around the western part of Montana through Browning and down across the endless rich, grassy rolling hills of the Blackfeet Reservation, I felt immersed in the story from the beginning in an oddly vicarious way.
I had previously read "Mountain Time" and enjoyed Doig's writing ability, but this book was outstanding.
Doig stated that he used some Robert Burns quotes and others he created himself. I was curious about the story the children read of the King's Remembrancer - if that was something he made up too. I'd rather like to read it myself!
As a Scots immigrant myself who has traveled around the western part of Montana through Browning and down across the endless rich, grassy rolling hills of the Blackfeet Reservation, I felt immersed in the story from the beginning in an oddly vicarious way.
I had previously read "Mountain Time" and enjoyed Doig's writing ability, but this book was outstanding.
good book
Story of the lives of 2 young men who emigrate from Scotland to become sheep ranchers in Montana in late 1890's. Well-written, believable tale.
