Young Catherine Lemay heads West to investigate what historically significant artistic elements could be lost if a new proposed dam goes in, thus flooding the area. Along the way she learns that she is way over her head.
She meets the mysterious John H who teaches her more than to love the stark landscape and art. Her companion Miriam, a young Native American, gives her insight into her culture as she embraces the modern America.
Brooks' detailed descriptions of horses, characters, landscape, make reading more like watching. He has been compared to Cormac McCarthy and even Hemingway as he recounts John H's war memories.
The author says his inspiration was reading and rereading "Lonesome Dove" by Larry McMurtry.
If this is ever to become a movie, in my mind, it will take on the style of "The English Patient" or "Out of Africa." You can see the characters, feel the texture of their clothing, smell the caked on dirt after weeks of riding in the desert.
I was surprised and thoroughly entertained. Give it a shot.
Learn more about Malcolm Brooks at malcolmbrooks.net.
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