Some reviews of books that have particularly impressed me
Our Souls at Night, Kent Haruf.
Kent Haruf wrote spare and quiet novels about life’s joy and sorrows in the fictional town of Holt, Colorado. We know from his descriptions pretty accurately where Holt is supposed to be, the high, wind-swept eastern plains on state route CO34. This is ranching and grassland country with its own stark beauty.
I just finished his last novel, and sadly there will be no more. He passed away in late 2014. Our Souls at Night is the story of two seventy-ish people, each long widowed, who come together out of loneliness. Kent wrote this as he was dying and you can feel the poignancy of fate approaching. Recommended reading. We have some fine writers. (written February 2017)
Thelon: A River Sanctuary, David F. Pelly.
A fine book about a very obscure place. However the Thelon is a place that has always fascinated me. It’s well written and engaging and satisfied much of my desire to know about the physical surroundings and history of the Thelon Valley.
I give it three stars meaning that it’s a fine book. Only a few standout books ever get 4 stars and only one in a million get an outstanding 5. (written December 2014)