Customer Reviews

Under Cottonwoods: A Novel

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I stayed up all night to finish this book, then I wished it could go forever. Walter and Mike are wonderful characters, and their story takes place in beautiful settings, vividly described by the author. A friendship that begins with flyfishing deepens and strengthens as both men struggle and travel through life. It's funny, it's sad, it feels utterly true. This book is a real delight.

Under Cottonwoods is a free flowing adventure of emotion and self discovery. At first glance this novel appears to be an easy read, and in that respect it does not disappoint. However, the complexity of Under Cottonwoods can be best described as a deep flowing river. There is the blatant and obvious surface story of Mike and Walter's interaction, and then there are deeper implied undercurrents of storyline that move along and drive the men's relationship.
At times the novel elicited laughter-at other times I was moved to the point of tears. Grace has managed to take two broken men and drive them through a life of extraordinary simplicity. Mike and Walter are more than characters. They are both the story and the plot. Mike and Walter, and thus the story, flow from one interaction to the next. Grace's first published effort is a delightful exercise in character development.
Told through the eyes of Mike, Under Cottonwoods follows two men as they come to terms with the lives they lead. Mike is an emotionally crippled man struggling with his marriage, while Walter battles with his very existence and the memory of what he used to be. Mike and Walter are close friends, not as a result of their individual handicaps, but because of them.
Grace does an excellent job of using the characters and their flaws as a vehicle for which to drive the plot. "I wasn't trying to kill myself, I was just trying to live." Through Walter's simple statement, Grace is attempting to define the point in life when nothing matters except the here and now. Walter's simple mental handicap is brought on by a childhood tragedy, while Mike's is an emotional scar brought on by his own inability to deal with reality. In some ways Mike is more of a cripple than Walter.
More than anything else in life, our decisions shape who we are. This is the premise behind Stephen Grace's first novel Under Cottonwoods. Grace uses two broken men, a three legged dog, and a small vibrant cast of characters to illustrate this point.
Overall Under Cottonwoods is a poignant story about life and the unexpected turns experienced in an otherwise expected life.

Under Cottonwoods is a sweet book. Mr. Grace is Monet with words. I felt like I was there. In fact, I had to get my fly rod out, and cast for awhile. Very excellent read.

I was a worm fisher..
but have high respect for those who tie flys and
cast...

I just finished this great book.

So well written, I could almost visual the flies
that the main characters used
and the 'why's'... the watching of the hatch and
finding just the right stage of the insect.

Most of the book takes place in Wyoming, but also
in Utah, and they mention
Island Park Idaho, too -- (My favorite place on earth)


The search for magical trout ponds.... following
the verbal directions from folks they meet and
several legends.

Two young men, both needing each other, though
your thoughts switch during the book, on who leans
on the other more...

A great, kind, fun read.

Making me wish I had paid attention more to the
swish of the bamboo pole my
father, uncle, grandfather, and great-grandfather
used..

*sheri*

For those people who are sensitive to another person's troubles or handicaps, this book is a must-read. Stephen Grace integrates both the dependence and independence the two protagonists experience in their relationship.

Having spent some time under cottonwoods in a different setting, I can vouch for their steadfastness and sheltering nature.

I applaud Stephen Grace's first effort, and look forward eagerly to his next book.

Stephen Grace has received high praise for his first novel, Under Cottonwoods. Every word of praise is richly deserved. This is an amazing first book by a gifted writer. The characters are fully developed, the prose pure and natural. Mr. Grace is a born storyteller.

By chance, Mike and Walter have formed an unlikely friendship. Mike is physically strong and healthy. His father taught him how to fish, fight, and ski at a young age. He's living on an inheritance received following the death of his parents. Mike is not emotionally invested in his marriage and refuses to get a job. Walter has been physically and mentally impaired by a head injury, but in many ways he sees life more clearly than Mike. Despite debilitating seizures and motor impairments, Walter holds down a full time job and struggles to maintain what independence he has left. Once handsome, hopeful, and whole, Walter now calls himself "broken." His mother is dead; his father refuses to acknowledge him. His friendship with Mike provides the acceptance and camaraderie Walter craves. He's astute enough to recognize that both men are broken in their own way.

Their story is revealed in increments as the men hike, fish and ski the wilderness areas of Wyoming, Utah and Idaho. Mike watches over Walter with a poignant tenderness and concern while gently prodding him beyond physical limits. He does not baby Walter, but treats him like a man and equal. In turn, Walter's sly observances of life, his drive to find love, adventure, and independence inspire Mike to examine his own short comings.

Under Cottonwoods is inspiring without being maudlin, exciting but not contrived. Wilderness areas are beautifully described in well drawn prose other writers may envy. You don't have to be a fly fisherman or outdoorsman to enjoy this one. If you appreciate a good story, enhanced by excellent writing, this book is a must read. It has my highest recommendation.

Under Cottonwoods by Stephen Grace

Mr. Grace's uncanny understanding of the psyche of persons with disabilities is exact and to the point. Although his life has be fraught with a myriad of experiences from hitch hiking through Africa to traveling aboard a ocean board freighter it is the time he has spent as a direct care professional with persons with disabilities that have given him the insight to write this book. Under Cottonwoods is the reason people still read!

As a third generation Wyomingite, who has worked every job possible with persons with disabilities in the last 30 years, I find that Stephen Grace's writings find my passion for this work and the soul of the person who truly is one with these folks with disabilities. Through the eyes of the books protagonists Walter and Mitch, Grace walks you through the lives of these amazing citizens in the outdoor world of Wyoming to a better understanding of yourself.

As it has been said that life is about relationships and the one between Walter and Michael that is developed in the book is about love and respect, friendship and advocacy. You don't find yourself feeling sorry for Walter with the severe brain injury but his father, Lex, for his lack of understanding of himself, and Walter's social worker for her lack of understanding of human kind.

Stephen Grace's style of writing more than captures the wild and wooly Wyoming lifestyle but all of its nuances as well. The way he explains the winds, stars, skies and streams, has the reader lusting for the experience with Michael and Walter. You want to be there with them fly fishing the hidden backwoods streams of Wyoming.

Under Cottonwoods is one of the most riveting books I have ever read. To read and feel the lives of the characters in this book will leave you yearning for more and yet satisfied that you have gotten to go on this mystical journey. My life will never be the same again.

John Holderegger
President/CEO/Founder
Mountain Regional Service, Inc.
A Program Serving Persons with Disabilities in Wyoming

Under Cottonwoods is a story which captures the reader's heart as the relationship among the major characters develops. Through vivid, beautiful and unique use of words, Stephen Grace describes nature with its intricacies and extremities and life with its tragedies, mountain-top experiences and variety of interactions. Major life lessons can be extracted from the poetic words of the book. This is a novel which exposes the richness of the environment and the power of caring individuals as they grow and mature.

Under Cottonwoods is an amazing tale of friendship set against the beautifully described backdrop of the Wyoming landscape. Stephen Grace paints pictures with his words so vividly you can see the people and places come to life. The story compels you to turn each page as through Mike and Walter we see our selves, our family, our friends. Walter is more like you and I than he is different and this is the beauty of this book. Under Cottonwoods is enthralling as novel that also holds great promise as a catalyst for social change by clearly depicting Walter as a person first and his disability second. It is through our human commonalities that community is built. Under Cottonwoods weaves the thread of humanity that connects us all.

I received this book from a wonderful friend who shares my compassion for people with disabilities, as well as good reading material. Two days after receiving the book there was a major ice storm in my area, no power and no water for 3.5 days. I spent those days (with other new books sitting on a table) in front of a fireplace wrapped in a blanket with a clip on booklight totally swept into this story. The story itself and the compassion and sharing of and through diversities is so well written. It was all I could do to make myself go to bed in a house that was 40 degrees inside because I so wanted to read more and this story was what warmed me to my soul. We can all learn from others, no matter their outward appearance. And the story, but for the grace of God, could be any one of us. What wonderful heartfelt insight the author has. This is a book for EVERYONE. Thanks Mr. Grace for a great book! And thanks to my life friend, Merv, for sending it to me! This will be one of the few things that will allow me to look back at my travel to Wyoming and feel positive for having been there for six months of my life. I look forward to more from Stephen Grace.