Most of my life (85 years’worth) I read to gain information – about politics, specific things or the world in general. Then, about 40 years ago, I started reading novels by contemporary acclaimed authors, like Kingsolver, Philip Roth, E.L. Doctorow, Stegner, Black novelists, et al. A great novel presents wisdom and a deeper look at life and all its mysteries and confounding elements. Books are my savior and solace and the only places I can go for relief from the madness of this life.
I’ve been hooked on author Ivan Doig, ever since first laying eyes on him with his captivating novel, Dancing at the Rascal Fair, some years ago. He was formally introduced to me by Thea, the exceedingly nice and extremely astute employee at Readers’ Books.
I remember coming in that day, many moons ago, and asking her who she might recommend that writes like Barbara Kingsolver, and she promptly handed me a copy of Doig’s singular, extraordinary novel about two cousins, homesteaders, who’d reached American shores after a long, nauseating and grueling sail from home in Scotland, and eventually landing not far from the Rocky Mountain range in Western Montana.
These two fascinating, deeply flawed but exqui...