Would that I could give this collection ten stars. A short story master! To me, writing short stories is not an easy feat. One must use words judiciouWould that I could give this collection ten stars. A short story master! To me, writing short stories is not an easy feat. One must use words judiciously, not meander around with a vague plot line and one must wrap it up perfectly. Leaving the reader with one of those "ah" moments like after savoring the perfect bite of dark chocolate. Claire Vaye Watkins has the gift. She also brilliantly uses the setting of each of these jewels as a perfect gust of wind to enhance every one.
I could blather on in depth about each of these tales, but I shall briefly touch on a couple. First, Ghosts, Cowboys. Watkins opts to smoothly incorporate history to move this story. The history of a ranch established in the Valley, outside of Los Angeles. The ranch evolves into a movie set built as a Western cowboy town. Time passes, Westerns fade into the sunset. The abandoned set evolves into an encampment for the infamous Manson Family. Claire Vaye Watkins father (Phil Watkins) is one of Charles Manson's recruiters of young chicks. And the story and the history unfolds. This story resonates with me in particular as I am the exact age of those chicks and paths do cross paths. Manson family member, Leslie Van Houten, and I grew up together. Same age. Both raised in a small town outside of Pasadena Ca. Attended the same junior high. Were friendly by circumstance. She moved after junior high and way lead unto way. Leslie joined the Manson family and is in prison for life for murder. Ghosts indeed.
Another of the stories that touched me is The Diggings. I have long been facinated by the California Gold Rush. A romantic facination, much like that which was presented in school regarding the history of the California missions. Everybody was happy, gold was abundant, prosperity bloomed. The Diggings negates that romantic vison. Shatters it. I have had the opportunity to visit the towns and ghost towns of those times. I have seen the land permanently laid to waste as a result of hydrolic mining efforts. Malakoff Diggings. Not pretty or kind.
Calire Vaye Watkins I am a fan of your work. I am certain you have barely tapped the Gold you know. Write!!! ...more
Proundly simple and haunting. This novella provides a glimpse of history in the Pacific Northwest through the life eyes of Grainier, an young orphanedProundly simple and haunting. This novella provides a glimpse of history in the Pacific Northwest through the life eyes of Grainier, an young orphaned boy, who was transported there by train as a mere lad. Grainier's recollections reflect the life of the everyman from the cusp of the twentieth century through the mid 1960's. A time anchored solidly by trains, touched by natural disaster, tragedy, modest ambitions, racism, superstition, war, the first Great Depression, simple pleasures, the conception of airplanes, isolation, loneliness, aging, death. The spirit of the randomness of life. I found this book particularly moving as I am captivated by that time frame as it captures the perspective of an everyman. That could well be my grandparents story. Besides,I love trains. ...more
A solid, well written mystery. All of the classic elements. The setting, the plains in the shadows of the Little Big Horns of Wyoming, inspired a poteA solid, well written mystery. All of the classic elements. The setting, the plains in the shadows of the Little Big Horns of Wyoming, inspired a potential road trip for me. Down the road. The inclusion of Western history and the Indians enriched the story gave me pause for thought. The narrator was good. I will likely "read/listen to books by Craig Johnson in future. ...more
Damn. I wish there were half stars. This would be a 3 1/2 star. I was captivated by the time period covered, the late ninteenth/early twentieth centurDamn. I wish there were half stars. This would be a 3 1/2 star. I was captivated by the time period covered, the late ninteenth/early twentieth century. The key elements are intriguing . . . . the primary setting of the novel (Montana), women's issues,racial issues, the tragic Native American shuffle/abuse. The era of The Buffalo Soldiers hits a personal chord for me. Some years past now, every Memorial Day at a nearby old graveyard, Mountain View, in Altadena CA. a few remaining Buffalo Soldiers would do the honor of being the color guard at the ceremony. An elderly member of the group would always address those gathered. Always very moving to hear him speak. All gone now. No more Buffalo Soldiers. No more Memorial Day ceremony. That said, this book fleshed out some of the history of the Buffalo Soldiers for me. The story line is is provoking, the writing decent. The only draw back for me was including the seemingly manditory romantic conflict. Not quite bodice ripping romantic, but bordering on it. Had I been spared that, this would have rated a solid four stars. ...more
Before reading this book I didn't notice that the movie Hud is based on this book. I haven't seen the movie in ages, but want to give it another go. IBefore reading this book I didn't notice that the movie Hud is based on this book. I haven't seen the movie in ages, but want to give it another go. I have savored every book of Larry McMurtry's that I have read, which is most of them. This one is no exception. Of late, my mind has been kinda stuck in the 20's, 30's and 40's United States, actually the first half of the twentieth century. I easily walked my head into this book. My favorite element of all of Larry McMurtry's writing is that he never wraps things up neatly. There is no resolution, no moral point driven home. In his books the story just continues to play on without the reader, kinda like life. Next up for me . . . . . watching Hud with a tub of popcorn, extra butter. ...more
I am a fan of western historical fiction. This is my favorite of Nevada Barr's books. I am a fan of western historical fiction. This is my favorite of Nevada Barr's books. ...more
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