Quite a few of the protagonists in the books I’ve read this past year have been pretty lonely characters, such as: the teenage boy in “My Sunshine Away,” the Russian scientist in “Us Conductors,” the English anthropologist in “Euphoria,” the lady investigator in “The Enchanted,” and of course who can forget the sad professor in “Stoner,” among others. Holy smokes, these people linger on the edges of society — trying to make due by their lonesome selves.
Now I have one more to add to the group: Moses Sweetland, the 69-year-old man in Canadian author Michael Crummey’s 2014 novel “Sweetland.” He’s a crotchety codger who lives among an island community off the coast of Newfoundland and refuses to leave the island with everyone else when the government decommissions the place and offers compensation for all to leave. Sweetland’s pressured to take the offer but after an accident occurs he decides not to. Left on the island alone, he struggles to survive and ruminates over his life and past memories of the community, his relatives, and the place he so clearly loves.
Wow “Sweetland” is a slow-burning novel that’s evocative and a bit haunting. It’s about the loss of a way of life and one man’s inability or willingness to go along. Some of the novel’s best parts are the descriptions of his everyday life on the island doing chores and getting by, and his relations with his relatives and others there in the community who eventually leave. I was caught up in Sweetland’s story though it’s rather sad and his struggle to keep on after everyone on the island goes away.
It’s one of those books that moves slowly in places but gets under your skin. It fully engaged me and never seemed dull. Bravo to author Michael Crummey — my new favorite Canadian author? I immediately looked up his bibliography to see what else I need to get my hands on and it appears his 2009 novel “Galore” was highly praised as well. I will put it on my list. Have you read it?
Meanwhile I also finished the audiobook of Montana author Malcolm Brooks’s 2014 debut novel “Painted Horses.” Wow it’s a bit of an epic novel in its scope and storytelling, which I didn’t realize when I first picked it up. Set in the 1950s, it involves two main characters whose paths cross at a Montana canyon slated to be flooded by a proposed dam. Catherine Lemay is a young archaeologist hired to survey the canyon for historical artifacts before the dam project gets the green light; and John H., is a rugged horseman and artist who served in WWII in the last cavalry unit. They come together over secrets in the canyon, but stakes in the community for the dam run high, and the power company and big business stand in their way.
The ending gets a bit crazy but all in all the storytelling is quite good. The story flashes back and forth between the past and present of Catherine’s and John’s different histories and how that shapes them in their view of the canyon. There’s a bit of everything in this novel: drama, romance, cowboys, Native Americans, WWII, art, archaeology, feminism, nature, a vanishing way of life vs. the future and new technology. At times, I thought perhaps the author bit off more than he could chew, but still the novel comes together and holds one’s attention with interesting facets and dilemmas.
I think I was drawn to “Painted Horses” mostly for its premise set in the American West of the 1950s, and for the author’s descriptions of the Montana landscape, animals, and the canyon. He definitely knows the ins and outs of horses — mustangs, mares, stallions — you name it, and I empathized with the characters. I also can’t resist a novel involving archaeology. If you like any of these things, you’ll want to check out this novel.
What about you, have you read the novels “Sweetland” or “Painted Horses,” and if so what did you think? Their book covers look pretty nice, too!
I totally loved Painted Horses, as did my husband. It did cover a lot and he has a rather dense style but the descriptions are amazing and the characters got under my skin.
I went and looked at your review of The Enchanted and it sounds like what I expected it would be. I have been meaning to read it since I first heard about it. Also heard a podcast with the author on OtherPeople and she is amazing.
I will be reading Sweetland soon and your review is making me want to start it right now!
Thanks Judy. Yeah I recall The Enchanted novel completely blew me away. In aspects it’s dreamy and imaginative in the face of brutality (if that makes any sense). I think I’d like to listen to that author podcast — b/c she must be amazing! I’m glad you liked Painted Horses.
I would probably enjoy Painted Horses because I had a horse phase in my early youth, though I don’t like that it’s about a great many things. I’m glad you liked them both.
Thanks Carmen, this book has a couple rough horse scenes (abuse of the animal) but also a few beautiful ones as well. I liked its Western setting.
OK, how do you time your posts so that they are always about a book I am about 30 pages into? I think Sweetland is the third book now. 🙂 It’s come highly recommended, so I am glad to hear that you liked it too and I can continue reading. (I guess I have to look for Painted Horses now.)
Ha TJ — that cracks me up! Not sure how we’re reading the same books but it’s good to compare notes on them! I will look to see how you like Sweetland.
Sweetland really sounds like it has great potential as character study.
The idea of the last person hanging on in an abandoned community sounds so poignant. It also sounds like it could make such an interesting book.
Yes Brian: I think you nailed Sweetland on the head. It’s the perfect plotline for a good character study. He’s out there all by himself. You might like this one. I found it quite interesting
These both sound really great…I especially love the sound of the lonely man of Sweetland. I’ll be checking it out.
Thanks for sharing…and for visiting my blog.
Thanks Laurel. It’s pretty good. Have a great week!
A slow pace can drive me crazy but I do love crotchety characters so I might have to try Sweetland.
Yeah you might find it too slow-paced Kathy. But it is a gem in ways.
I haven’t heard of either book but I love the covers and your descriptions. I might try Sweetland, given your glowing review. That island description reminds of Monhegan Island in Maine except that there are 40 year round people.
Yeah Sarah you might like Sweetland b/c it’s a bit like a Maine island I’m sure. Love the book covers too!