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misslupinelady's review
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
guinness74's review
4.0
In the spirit of Steinbeck, Kingsolver, and possibly London, this fiction covers a broad range of environments and a dash of environmentalism, drawing you in with characters you identify with. This is my first Rick Bass, but I can certainly see myself pulling more of his books off the shelf. Only 4 stars?! Well, there were moments that dragged a little, but it's probably 4.5 (were that possible) and it shouldn't turn you away from reading it. I particularly enjoyed the middle story entitled "Where The Sea Used To Be," originally published in the Paris Review Also...it's a quick read if you're looking for something to read on a plane or a short beach trip.
theroad_jess_traveled's review
5.0
I read this a year ago and have thought about the stories often. I picked it back up to reread certain bits and instantly remembered how gripping and wonderous the stories are. For those interested in short stories, mythical stories, the landscape of the west, or just looking for a good story to read around a campfire I highly recommend this collection. I read two other of Bass's books after this that I also liked and will continue to work through his books.
bobbo49's review
4.0
Three novellas. While I didn't love them quite as much as I loved his memoir Winter, Bass' connection with, and love for, the wilderness - here, in the southern Texas wilds where he grew up - is nonetheless breathtaking.
my33to's review
adventurous
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
bucket's review
5.0
I found this book of novellas in a lookout tower on vacation last week and it totally blew my mind. One of my favorite things in life is when serendipity sends a book my way that I have never heard of and may never have found any other way. And, good news for me, Rick Bass has other books!
In all 3 novellas, the sense of place is incredibly rich, and they all take place mostly outdoors. Perfect to read while camping at a lookout. All 3 also have a slow-burn intensity to them that hooked me without being overly action-packed.
I loved that the collection starts with The Myths of Bears. The other two are better stories, but this one is the most intense and showcases Bass's abilities well. I love the strength of the female main character -- here and in the titular novella too.
From the titular novella: "I have spent my life in the brush -- and I have seen what it is we do best, and that is to love and honor one another: to love family, and to love friends, and to love the short days. We are only peripheral trappings ourselves, on the outside of the mystery. We are songbirds."
In all 3 novellas, the sense of place is incredibly rich, and they all take place mostly outdoors. Perfect to read while camping at a lookout. All 3 also have a slow-burn intensity to them that hooked me without being overly action-packed.
I loved that the collection starts with The Myths of Bears. The other two are better stories, but this one is the most intense and showcases Bass's abilities well. I love the strength of the female main character -- here and in the titular novella too.
From the titular novella: "I have spent my life in the brush -- and I have seen what it is we do best, and that is to love and honor one another: to love family, and to love friends, and to love the short days. We are only peripheral trappings ourselves, on the outside of the mystery. We are songbirds."
jamiereadthis's review
5.0
Rule #1, if you’re going to write a book for me to read, take all the guesswork out of it, eliminate all chances otherwise, name it “The Sky, The Stars, The Wilderness.”
A few years ago I unearthed The Watch in the bargain bin of the local used bookstore. Rick Bass I’d never heard of, but it was short stories, it was the south and west, and Clyde Edgerton (I had never read him, but he’s our local Durham author) said “There is enough energy in this book to shake a house.” Well, okay then. I read “Mississippi” standing in front of the shelf. That was all I needed to know, I was sold. It cost me $1.
It also started the treasure hunt. Where else I could dig up Rick Bass, who else knew his name. Bargain shelves, pocket change. Funny little looks to mention him in the same sentence as any of the greats. No one caught on, no one knew the secret. $3 said the tag on this one, but the big box chain was belly-up and the girl at the checkout shrugged, rang it up for a buck.
Which, just— it undermines the whole system, this. Over and over and over. What’s the point of wealth if this is the kind of stuff you get for nothing.
Also, what I said before, how maybe the only boy I could fall for has these books faded and dog-eared in the passenger seat: I’m sticking to that story.
First reviewed June 2011
- - -
May 2012:
That one book you could put in someone’s hands to explain down to the core some fundamental part of who you are? This is mine.
- - -
February 2013:
Re-read this (of course) after reading the book. I’m so glad there’s hundreds more pages about Wallis. I will read any number of hundreds of pages about Wallis. Wallis might just be the voice in my head.
A few years ago I unearthed The Watch in the bargain bin of the local used bookstore. Rick Bass I’d never heard of, but it was short stories, it was the south and west, and Clyde Edgerton (I had never read him, but he’s our local Durham author) said “There is enough energy in this book to shake a house.” Well, okay then. I read “Mississippi” standing in front of the shelf. That was all I needed to know, I was sold. It cost me $1.
It also started the treasure hunt. Where else I could dig up Rick Bass, who else knew his name. Bargain shelves, pocket change. Funny little looks to mention him in the same sentence as any of the greats. No one caught on, no one knew the secret. $3 said the tag on this one, but the big box chain was belly-up and the girl at the checkout shrugged, rang it up for a buck.
Which, just— it undermines the whole system, this. Over and over and over. What’s the point of wealth if this is the kind of stuff you get for nothing.
Also, what I said before, how maybe the only boy I could fall for has these books faded and dog-eared in the passenger seat: I’m sticking to that story.
First reviewed June 2011
- - -
May 2012:
That one book you could put in someone’s hands to explain down to the core some fundamental part of who you are? This is mine.
- - -
February 2013:
Re-read this (of course) after reading the book. I’m so glad there’s hundreds more pages about Wallis. I will read any number of hundreds of pages about Wallis. Wallis might just be the voice in my head.
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