A review by lauramiserez
The Monkey Wrench Gang by Edward Abbey

adventurous dark funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I really enjoyed the powerful language of this book, esp. the many parallels between warfare and the mining/logging interests of Southwest US at this time. The characters are horrible, but in a way I found compelling and authentic. I can see why it’s a modern classic and helped inspire so many to environmental activism. A book like this only works though if it’s able to point fun at itself and point out its own contradictions, and I found Abbey’s use of irony really effective in this regard. It loses points for me with the ending — it felt way too much like a perfect bow tied — and with the sexist and two-dimensional characterization of the only female in the group. But overall I really enjoyed the book and will definitely explore more Abbey.