Montana 1948 by Larry Watson

Review by Vicky T. (VickyJo)

Montana 1948 is a short, but powerful novel by Larry Watson.  It was published in 1993, won the Milkweed National Fiction Prize, and was named one of the Best Books of 1993 by two very respected literary magazines, Library Journal and Booklist.  It deserved these honors, and more.

David Hayden looks back at the summer of 1948.  He was 12 years old, and living in Montana.  His father is the sheriff of Mercer County.  He is a quiet, dedicated man, who never wears his badge or carries his gun, much to David’s disappointment.  David’s uncle Frank is a doctor, a charming man ready with a smile and a joke; he is a war hero, a local celebrity, and a respected physician.

So–here’s the premise:  What if you’re the sheriff of a small community, and you find out that your own brother, a doctor…a man much admired by family and friends….is accused of molesting the Native American female patients he treats out on the reservation.  If it were a stranger, you would arrest him and hold him for trial.  But it’s not a stranger; it’s your brother, your father’s favorite.

Just as you think Sheriff Hayden has things settled with his brother, a sudden turn of events kicks the dilemma up a notch.  Tragedy strikes and things get worse, if that’s possible.

We watch the events of the summer of 1948 unfold through young David’s eyes. David must watch his father make a terrible choice between family loyalty and justice, and he learns powerful lessons about love, honor, courage and the abuse of power.  He’ll never look at his family in the same way again.  This book is an absolute gem.

The Unquiet Sleep by William Haggard

Review by Matt B. (BuffaloSavage)

Informal research and anecdotal evidence indicate Meron, a new tranquilizer, may be addictive. But a criminal gang of Cypriots in England wants it to be declared a dangerous drug so that they can provide it to its target market. It seems that busy business executive like the drug’s attraction: one tranquilly sleeps for an hour, then feels bright eyed and bushy tailed enough to go out for a night on the town. For middle-aged execs, the chance to take their wives out in the evening and escape charges of neglect is too tempting to pass up.

The government persuades the pharmaceutical company to withdraw the drug from the market so that research on its adverse effects, if any, can be determined. Col. Charles Russell and his underling Rachel Borrodaile check the availability of Meron on the black market.  Then, the scientist heading the research project is found dead in suspicious circumstances.

Colonel Russell heads the Security Executive. Its mission is simply to investigate matters that may cause the country hazard or risk, matters that don’t fall under the purview of other government watchdogs. The plot often hinges on new devices with a military application or in this case new products such as medications. Banks, research firms, and sophisticated criminal syndicates all put their hand in the situation. The human element plays a big part in plot development: marriages are shaky, health scares abound, middle-age offers the usual hazards.

At less than 200 pages the novels with Col. Russell always feature sharp, literate excitement. The political intrigue and existential angst of the middle-aged male professionals are both utterly plausible. Haggard’s female characters challenge me. On one hand,  Haggard’s portrayals seems wildly sexist in that Rachel Borrodaile wants to be seen for her womanly qualities instead of as just a “good soldier” or “good scout.” But Haggard also assumes that of course a woman like Rachel can be just as quick-thinking, logical, and quick on the trigger as any man. After all, like an Alan Furst teenager-hero, Rachel is a former French Resistance fighter who lost her right foot in circumstances she won’t discuss. It’s hard to pigeon-hole old-timey conservatives.

I always get rid of mysteries when I finish them, but I keep Haggard’s novels for re-reading. I cannot think of higher praise than this.

Between A Rock And A Hard Place by Aron Ralston

Review by Vicky T. (VickyJo)

“It’s 3:05 p.m. on Sunday, April 27, 2003.  This marks my twenty-four-hour mark of being stuck in Blue John Canyon.  My name is Aron Ralston.  My parents are Donna and Larry Ralston, of Englewood, Colorado.  Whoever finds this, please make an attempt to get this to them. Be sure of it.  I would appreciate it.”

That was Aron’s first video-recorded message after becoming trapped in Blue John Canyon in Utah while on a hiking trip.  You may have heard about his ordeal; he’s the young man who had to eventually, after six days, cut off his own arm to save his life.  His book, “Between a rock and a hard place” tells his story.

Aron was 27 years old the morning he set out alone to hike in a secluded area of Utah’s canyons.  He was climbing down a narrow slot canyon when a large boulder dislodged, pinning his arm between the boulder and the canyon wall.  He was stuck, with little more than two burritos, a partial bottle of water, and his video camera.  The book’s narrative takes us back and forth between Aron’s past and his present predicament.   We learn about his childhood growing up in Colorado and how he loved and explored the outdoors; how he became skilled in hiking, mountain climbing, skiing and rescue work; and finally, what brought him to his present horrifying situation.

It soon becomes evident to Aron that no one is going to find him; there is no rescue party searching for him.  He hadn’t told anyone where he would be hiking which was a BIG mistake.  The only way for him to survive is if he amputates his arm to free himself from the boulder.  So, on the morning of the sixth day, Aron plans to amputate his arm with a very dull knife on his multi-tool, hike the eight miles back to his truck and then hopefully drive himself to a hospital. That’s the plan.

I will admit that I first picked up this book out of morbid curiosity.  The thought of someone cutting off his or her own arm was gruesomely fascinating to me. How do you prepare for something like that?  The courage and fortitude an act like that requires is just amazing.  And too, the more I thought about it, the more I wondered if that option would even OCCUR to me!   Plus, I am not a risk-taker, but I have a curiosity about people who ARE risk-takers…people who climb mountains or jump out of perfectly good airplanes…on purpose…I just don’t get it, frankly.  Aron tries to explain this phenomenon; he talks about how taking risks makes him feel alive.  They say the adrenaline rush is addictive; once they start, they must keep searching for another adventure, another rush. But adrenaline rushes make me feel as though my heart is going to stop, a feeling I dislike very much.  After reading the book, I understand his viewpoint, but I just can’t relate to it.  I guess I’ll just be a happy non-risk-taker who only reads about taking risks!

I will say that this book was very useful in one way.  Whenever I’m gearing up to do something I really don’t want to do; something I dread, like speaking in front of a large group of people…if I start to get all nervous or anxious, I stop and think, “Well, at least I don’t have to cut off my arm today.”  It really helps put everything into perspective.

Written in Bone by Simon Beckett

Review by Vicky T. (VickyJo)