Customer Reviews

The Sky, the Stars, the Wilderness

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is actually three novellas. The 3rd story is The Sky, the Stars, the Wilderness. I read this book years ago, and it remains vivid in my mind. It is one of the top three pieces of nature writing I've ever come across. The characters tell the story of the teeming wildlife on a large Texas ranch in the mid-1900s Texas. When you are through with the story, you will feel a deep kinship with the sense of place the story depicts. It will make you long for it, and long for other places you have come to love.

Rick Bass is a totally unique writer... these tales at once seem like they have travled thousands of miles, yet they are also decidely planted in the post-modern world.

These stories, as the title suggests, are concerned with the borders between civilized man and the wild... the wilderness. These are not really plot driven stories. (even, "myths of bears" which is a chase story, seems to have a foregone conclusion due to heavy foreshadowing). They are instead concerned with the unraveling of the human mind, the unforgiving but beautiful face of nature, the primal force of desire. One is compelled to read on, fascinated. The language is sparse, but poetic. It really does the job. "The myths of bears" is defintely the selling point here... one of the best short stories of the last 20 years. The rest is certainly interesting, especially "Where the sea used to be" which seems sort of like a sketchbook leading up to his masterful full legnth novel of the same title. These are stories that you'll find yourself reading over and over. Really amazing stuff. There are some images I just can't get out my head.

I've followed Rick Bass since the publication of his first short story collection--The Watch--and enjoyed every book, both fiction and non-fiction. This collection is no exception. When I read Bass, I have to do it slowly. His stories always affect me emotionally, and I have to wait between readings to catch my balance. The first story is actually rather shocking in its violence. The second story is my personal favorite--truly a fine piece of literature. The third, the novella, gives the reader a feel of the wild. The only quibble I have with it is the sense that the author has difficulty writing from a woman's perspective. But that's a small thing! I recommend this book highly.

The Sky, the Stars, the Wilderness is actually three novellas in one book. The first is a somewhat interesting tale that has some suspense combined with Bass' always vivid imagery of the arctic wilds. I found the second story to be a confusing jumble of characters mixed with cumbersome metaphors concerning oil wells and mortality. The third is somewhat better in that it has beautiful imagery and a gentle, simple storyline. The only drawback is that almost absolutely nothing of interest occurs in the whole story. For those readers looking for a work of art translated into words, The Sky, the Stars, the Wilderness will satisfy. If, however, you read a book to see something happen, you will probably be disappointed by this one.

Although the title story is more descriptive than plot oriented, this book is worth buying just for "The Myths of Bears". The brutal violence and the animalistic-like characteristics of the two main characters makes for one of the most original reads you are likely to find. The story is INTENSE! The second novella, "Where The Sea Used To Be", adds a great balance to this book, providing the reader the chance to cool down their nerves after "The Myths of Bears" with a greatly relaxing story about an oil seeker. A great book!

Rick Bass is an incredible artist. He is capable of capturing the wildness of nature - tooth, claw, and heart and rendering it in the way of poetry. These stories capture and display the tapestry of life in a way that will stick with you, will become part of you.

THIS IS MY THIRD RICK BASS BOOK---""NINEMILE WOLVES""
WAS BY FAR THE BEST. THESE THREE STORIES / NOVELLAS
BORDERED ON THE BBBEEEEEEEZZZAAAARRRR. HIS WRITING
FORM IS VERY GOOD---ENJOYABLE---HE CAN STRING HIS WORDS
TOGETHER NICELY. BUT--THE ACTUAL STORIES---????.
EXAMPLE---THE YOUNG GIRL & HER YOUNGER BROTHER RUNNING
THRU THE TEXAS BACKWOODS, BAREFOOT, LATE AT NIGHT, ON
AN ADVENTURE---????---WHERE ARE THE SNAKES?? DID THEY
ALL DISAPPEAR?? NOT VERY REAL I WOULD SAY.