Customer Reviews

The Summer He Didn't Die

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The novella is not the most commonplace of literary forms anymore, though it used to be much more popular. Credit Jim Harrison with preservation of this endangered species. Of the three samples here, two are among Harrison's wittiest, and one among his most eloquent. A story featuring yet another episode involving Brown Dog is always welcome, and in the title tale here, it seems "BD" is actually trying to grow up and do the right thing -- not that he ever really lacked an ethical sense; he just had trouble obeying the law. In this yarn, rightness and legality prove to be two different things, presenting Brown Dog with a choice that would involve personal sacrifice. "Republican Wives" is fun, too, and "Tracking" is the kind of piece that proves, again, that for all Harrison's literary carousing, he is a writer with serious things on his mind. By the way, to the author of the one-star review posted here: You are showing your political panties to the world. That's your choice, but my choice is to read fiction based on its ability to render life vividly, and not based on whether it lines up with my politics. And even if one does insist on considering Harrison's politics, it would certainly serve the interest of fairness to point out that the man has expressed plenty of contempt over the years for overly zealous environmentalists.

When I saw that Brown Dog was back for another chapter (the title story) I groaned. The previous BD (with him flying to L.A. - from "Bear...", I think) was pretty frivolous and I felt that the character was pretty well spent. THIS Brown Dog tale is not nearly as humorous as the first two "installments", but brings a depth of character to BD that resonates with the best of Harrison. I am once again on the edge of my seat hoping to spend more time with BD.

"Republican Wives" was interesting and includes a mysterious quote (on page 140 of the 1st ed. HC); "...liked to quote a German poet who said

"What is fate but the density of childhood?"

" I have searched high and low to find out who the "German poet" is, but have not yet traced it. This quote really resonated with me. If anyone knows it's source PLEASE post it.

"Tracking" is just beautiful. The Jim Harrison emotional autobiography. A breathless outpouring of memory so true and pure that it stings.

Found this little book in the SF airport last week. Extraordinary. All of the novellas are good, but Tracking is a masterpiece---depicting the struggle of a writer to face life on his own terms---even when those terms aren't easy. This is my first Harrison book, but I bought three more when I returned home. His talent with the language and his insight into how we "tick" will amaze---which leads me back to my original "extraordinary". A great little book, and highly recommended.

I had never read Jim Harrison before. I picked this one from the library because I was interested in the novella form. And, after the first few pages, I thought, maybe I made a mistake. It was a world completely alien to me: Upper Michigan, eating bear, etc etc. But, I grew to love the voice and the point of view, even the vaguely disordered syntax. By the end of the first novella, "The Summer He Didn't Die," I actually had tears in my eyes. Then, I began the second novella, and -- how can you not love a story that begins: "I think I may have killed someone, my lover, in fact, but let me explain myself." That one sentence had me laughing for an entire DAY.

But, save the responses until you've read the last novella of the three: "Tracking." It's an autobiographical tale, the most moving evocation of a writer's life -- all the more moving because it is so compressed, it's like the "anti-Proust" of elegiac tales -- that I've yet come across.

I just bought this book and I try to savor Jim Harrison as much as possible. So, I'm saving Tracking and Brown dog does not disappoint. Have just stepped into Harrisons standard fall backs, and its a bit like entering an enchanted forest. Moreso, Harrisons blend of enchantment that is right up my alley. And a Jim Harrison fall back narrative belongs only to him. No one does his nature and spiritual writing better. Reading Harrison at times is like going to church. The kind God might wish to go to as well.

Not much has been said of Republican Wives and I can say that of the filthy rich Republican women I know this was spot on. My gut ached. The story of the girls and their linkage with Darryl was like a Monty Python episode brought to Chicago. I know people like him! These women, all I can say is that I ballyhooed and slapped my knee through the whole thing. And I look up at the heavens and truly wonder how does Harrison know people so well. This one is not to be missed.

Rec'v'd this book yesterday & am 50 pages into the story. It's
going to be a wonderful book. Your good price & fast delivery
is, as always, most appreciated. Jim Harrison just gets better
& better. Nice to revisit some of his characters again...

Harrison is deeply influenced by Rilke, and a lot of his obscure references are drawn from him. Read The Prodigal Son for insight into the Tristan character in Legends of the Fall... This latest trio of novellas is not his best but still had some nice moments. Was glad to see that BD is still coping with the world as best he can and on his own singular terms...

Living in a rural northern Michigan, we listened to this book on CD while driving various places. My husband and I both think highly of all 3 novellas, personally liking the title novella the best. But..... one would think with a writer of this stature and one known for stories centered in Michigan, they would make sure the people who record the books know how to pronounce Michigan names! It is quite painful to listen to the mispronounciations - most of them not that tricky, but rather central to the reality of northern Michigan. I had to double back a couple of times to figure out what location they *meant* because they pronounced the place so poorly. A real shame, but luckily it failed to ruin the story-telling for us.

The quote you mention is from The Seventh Duino Elegy
by Rainer Maria Rilke