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A review by book_concierge
Shotgun Lovesongs by Nickolas Butler
4.0
Audiobook performed by Ari Fliakos, Maggie Hoffman, Scott Shepherd, Scott Sowers and Gary Wilmes
Henry, Kip, Lee, Ronny and Beth (Henry’s wife) have known each other since they were children growing up in the same small town of Little Wing Wisconsin. All but Henry (who stayed on his family’s dairy farm) have left for a time: Beth went to college, Kip worked as a commodities broker in Chicago, Ronny rode the rodeo circuit, and Lee is a hugely successful folk-rock musician with a number of hit records. Now, they’ve all come home to Little Wing. Kip has purchased the old feed mill with plans to turn it into a destination in that corner of Wisconsin. Ronny, his rodeo career ended after he suffered a traumatic brain injury, is looked out for by everyone in town. Lee has a recording studio in the converted schoolhouse on the outskirts of town, where he comes home to recuperate after a tour.
This is a distinctly Midwest novel. Butler writes prose that is poetic and atmospheric. His descriptions of the landscape make this fictitious town an important character in the novel.
The October air filled with corn dust enough to make each sunset a postcard, with colors like a benign nuclear explosion. And then snow. Snow to cover the world, to cover us. Our world left to sleep and rest and heal underneath those white winter blankets. The forests that in October threw hallucinogenic confetti at the world now withdrawn, bereft, composed, and suddenly much thinner, looking like old people who know their time has just about come.
More importantly, this is a novel of friendship, and of men growing to adulthood. Each of the characters, including Beth, has a chance to narrate. So the reader gets some insight into each of their inner thoughts and feelings, the ways they interpret one another’s actions and why they react as they do. The reader also has the opportunity to hear their observations on the others in the quintet. It seems that the central relationship being explored is that of Hank and Lee – best friends despite their very different lifestyles, loyal to one another without question, loving one another despite a major falling out.
Kip seemed to me to be nearly an outsider. His concerted efforts to leave Little Wing and be a big shot in Chicago has changed his perspective in such a way that he doesn’t seem able to fit in. Whatever effort he makes just misses the mark, and seems to come only from his own need to be recognized rather from any genuine concern for his friends or the community. As the only woman with a voice in the novel Beth provides an interesting counterpoint. And it is through Beth’s eyes that the men’s wives/girlfriends are shown.
And then there is Ronny – my favorite character in the group. A handsome, strong man with an injured brain, an alcoholic kept from drinking by all his friends (who seem to do nothing but consume alcohol), he longs to get back some independence.
I want to break out of here so bad and I don’t even know where I want to go. Maybe Anyplace, I guess. I know they think I can’t take care of myself, but I sure as hell can. I’m not a smart man – I know that – but I ain’t dumb. And the way things are, it’s like I’m in a cage. … I am a man. I’m a goddamned person. And I’m restless as hell.
My heart just breaks for him.
Highly recommended for readers who enjoy character-driven novels.
The audiobook employs five different performers – each taking on one of the major characters. I found this very effective. It really helped to make each of the men unique. And having a woman voice Beth’s chapters lent a quality of gentleness and femininity to an otherwise tough and masculine book.
Henry, Kip, Lee, Ronny and Beth (Henry’s wife) have known each other since they were children growing up in the same small town of Little Wing Wisconsin. All but Henry (who stayed on his family’s dairy farm) have left for a time: Beth went to college, Kip worked as a commodities broker in Chicago, Ronny rode the rodeo circuit, and Lee is a hugely successful folk-rock musician with a number of hit records. Now, they’ve all come home to Little Wing. Kip has purchased the old feed mill with plans to turn it into a destination in that corner of Wisconsin. Ronny, his rodeo career ended after he suffered a traumatic brain injury, is looked out for by everyone in town. Lee has a recording studio in the converted schoolhouse on the outskirts of town, where he comes home to recuperate after a tour.
This is a distinctly Midwest novel. Butler writes prose that is poetic and atmospheric. His descriptions of the landscape make this fictitious town an important character in the novel.
The October air filled with corn dust enough to make each sunset a postcard, with colors like a benign nuclear explosion. And then snow. Snow to cover the world, to cover us. Our world left to sleep and rest and heal underneath those white winter blankets. The forests that in October threw hallucinogenic confetti at the world now withdrawn, bereft, composed, and suddenly much thinner, looking like old people who know their time has just about come.
More importantly, this is a novel of friendship, and of men growing to adulthood. Each of the characters, including Beth, has a chance to narrate. So the reader gets some insight into each of their inner thoughts and feelings, the ways they interpret one another’s actions and why they react as they do. The reader also has the opportunity to hear their observations on the others in the quintet. It seems that the central relationship being explored is that of Hank and Lee – best friends despite their very different lifestyles, loyal to one another without question, loving one another despite a major falling out.
Kip seemed to me to be nearly an outsider. His concerted efforts to leave Little Wing and be a big shot in Chicago has changed his perspective in such a way that he doesn’t seem able to fit in. Whatever effort he makes just misses the mark, and seems to come only from his own need to be recognized rather from any genuine concern for his friends or the community. As the only woman with a voice in the novel Beth provides an interesting counterpoint. And it is through Beth’s eyes that the men’s wives/girlfriends are shown.
And then there is Ronny – my favorite character in the group. A handsome, strong man with an injured brain, an alcoholic kept from drinking by all his friends (who seem to do nothing but consume alcohol), he longs to get back some independence.
I want to break out of here so bad and I don’t even know where I want to go. Maybe Anyplace, I guess. I know they think I can’t take care of myself, but I sure as hell can. I’m not a smart man – I know that – but I ain’t dumb. And the way things are, it’s like I’m in a cage. … I am a man. I’m a goddamned person. And I’m restless as hell.
My heart just breaks for him.
Highly recommended for readers who enjoy character-driven novels.
The audiobook employs five different performers – each taking on one of the major characters. I found this very effective. It really helped to make each of the men unique. And having a woman voice Beth’s chapters lent a quality of gentleness and femininity to an otherwise tough and masculine book.