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cathyjtp's review
4.0
The first part of this novel is relentlessly anecdotal and you wonder if it's going to progress, coalesce or something as it meanders along. The author gives us long lists, odd and later purposeful peregrinations, allusions to Irish legends. Doyle was known to be a Catholic novelist but churchiness and institutional faith are almost completely absent, though a bit of scripture reading finds its way in. Thought provoking.
klingcooper's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Reads like poetry
meghan111's review
5.0
If you're going to visit the Oregon Coast, you must read this novel. So good - like, Sherman Alexie good.
I was hooked by page 16, by the sly humor and the descriptions of the natural world and the residents of the fictional town. The two employees of Neawanaka's Public Works Department discuss their jobs:
"Billy, he says quietly. Billy. We heal things. That's what we do. That's why we're here. We've always agreed on that. Right from the start. We do as well as we can. We fail a lot but we keep after it. What else can we do? We have brains that still work so we have to apply them to pain. Brains against pain. That's the motto. That's the work. That's what we do. Soon enough we will not have brains that work, so therefore."
The appeal of this is the writing and setting. There's a talking crow and some digressions into stuff like the language of bears. It's wonderful. It meanders.
I was hooked by page 16, by the sly humor and the descriptions of the natural world and the residents of the fictional town. The two employees of Neawanaka's Public Works Department discuss their jobs:
"Billy, he says quietly. Billy. We heal things. That's what we do. That's why we're here. We've always agreed on that. Right from the start. We do as well as we can. We fail a lot but we keep after it. What else can we do? We have brains that still work so we have to apply them to pain. Brains against pain. That's the motto. That's the work. That's what we do. Soon enough we will not have brains that work, so therefore."
The appeal of this is the writing and setting. There's a talking crow and some digressions into stuff like the language of bears. It's wonderful. It meanders.
arielamandah's review
4.0
I am completely taken with Brian Doyle’s writing right now. Very similar to Martin Marten in structure, this book churned with darker, deeper, more challenging things. Ultimately it gets to the goodness of people, the way that community is woven out of disparate threads, and the way that life throws wrenches into our plans, but how we adjust, realign, and still find joy and ways to love one another. Doyle’s writing is such a generous, comforting spot in a difficult world. Somehow his characters make me believe that despite it all, with a little grace and resilience we’ll all be OK.
shiloniz's review
5.0
I do believe that Mink River has the great honor of being the best book I have read all year. There is nothing else to say, I was deeply moved, and I still am. I wished the whole time reading it, that Mink River would go on forever. Sadly that could not be the case, but I am grateful for the time I did get to spend lost in this captivating world on my most beloved Oregon coast.
wsk56's review
3.0
There is much to like in this tale of a small coastal Oregon town. Many wonderful characters, a strong sense of place including the town and the natural environment of the Pacific Northwest, a talking crow, interesting stories of Native Americans and Ireland, and a very lyrical style of prose. It is not an easy book to read, due to a multitude of characters to keep straight and the unusual style of writing. The reward is an immersion into a place you will remember as if it were a real place. A quintessential Pacific Northwest tale.
sammwwhite's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
silodear's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence
TW for outdated oppressive language, sexual violence, police reverence, white dude writing about the experience of indigenous people. What I liked most about this book were the descriptions of landscapes and nature, the sentience and personhood ascribed to animals, and the tenderness of the relationships between the people of Mink River. What I did not enjoy was the authors deep love of lists and synonyms. We get it, there are many ways to say the same thing. CAN YOU PLEASE STOP?! Also deeply did not enjoy the perfect hero cop narrative. No thanks. There was so much gender essentialism, which I found to be entirely grating. Although there were parts of this story that I enjoyed, I was not sad when this book ended.katiebellmoore's review
5.0
What an amazing book! Doyle paints with such a poetic voice that he simultaneously lets you identify with the authentic characters while engaging your imagination. A work of art.