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wigstown's review
4.0
Who knew such an old cowboy could be so quirky...and affecting, empathetic, spooky, and downright wonderful. I will never forget Crow Fair, Doozy and Wowser, the dignity of an old lady whose dementia has brought her sons to their knees. River Camp is pretty darn good, too. All the foreshadowing in hell couldn't have helped me predict what might have happened to Tony and Jack. The book blurbs are right. McGuane's a master.
wordcommando's review against another edition
4.0
More good stuff from an American short story master at the top of his form.
breadandmushrooms's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.75
liberrydude's review against another edition
4.0
17 stories. The usual acerbic, dark, sad, funny snapshots of life. Adults dealing with their children and their parents. Trips to get away that don’t get you away. Tragedy. Surprise. Temptation. Family secrets. Another satisfying mixture.
zoes_human's review against another edition
I'm DNFing this at page 39. Apparently this guy is talented and has been compared to Mark Twain. I am not, however, his target market.
You know those people who live their life from one bad decision to the next, never really complaining, never really taking responsibility for why their life is all screwed up, just resigned to a life of repetitive misery? This book, or at least the first three stories in it, is about those people.
I see enough of that in real life, thanks.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via a Goodreads giveaway. Many thanks to all involved in providing me with this opportunity.
You know those people who live their life from one bad decision to the next, never really complaining, never really taking responsibility for why their life is all screwed up, just resigned to a life of repetitive misery? This book, or at least the first three stories in it, is about those people.
I see enough of that in real life, thanks.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via a Goodreads giveaway. Many thanks to all involved in providing me with this opportunity.
eiseneisen's review against another edition
2.0
I'm a book snob. There are a few select people in my life from whom I will blindly accept book recommendations---meaning that I'll begin reading a book based on their recommendation alone---but I generally read several professional reviews before deciding which new book to begin. This method of selection has resulted in my enjoying the majority of books that I read, as evidenced by the fact that the average score of the books I've rated on goodreads is 3.75. Alas, sometimes the critical acclaim bestowed upon a book does not, in my opinion, match the reading experience. Such is the case with Thomas McGuane's Crow Fair.
Crow Fair consists of 17 short stories that take place in Montana. For the most part the stories are populated by ordinary people in ordinary circumstances. Four of them (The Casserole; An Old Man Who Liked To Fish; Prairie Girl; and Stars) are excellent. Most of the rest are just fine, and 2 or 3 are clunkers.
Bottom line, I do not understand the cause for critical acclaim. The book is just okay. And you, dear reader, deserve better than just okay. So I do not recommend it to you.
Crow Fair consists of 17 short stories that take place in Montana. For the most part the stories are populated by ordinary people in ordinary circumstances. Four of them (The Casserole; An Old Man Who Liked To Fish; Prairie Girl; and Stars) are excellent. Most of the rest are just fine, and 2 or 3 are clunkers.
Bottom line, I do not understand the cause for critical acclaim. The book is just okay. And you, dear reader, deserve better than just okay. So I do not recommend it to you.
jessyhere's review against another edition
1.0
This was very boring. The stories don't really end, they just stop. I listened to the audiobook and this quirk made it really hard to tell when one story ends and another begins. All the stories blend together. There is no entertainment to be had or anything to be learned from this book. I can't believe I finished it.
saparson's review against another edition
5.0
Terrific stories that read easily. Some more disturbing than others. The kind that I wish I had the skill to write. Some having the chill, searing wind of Montana blowing through them as you read.
carriealibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
It is kind of like McGuane's stories are cousins with E. Annie Proulx's stories. They grew up in different parts of the Rocky Mountains but the weirdness is in their genes.
I truly enjoyed these stories -- a great collection.
I truly enjoyed these stories -- a great collection.