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“How to explain how deeply this collection of stories touched me? How many times I just gaped in wonder in my empty bedroom when yet another of Ms. Proulx's lines slapped me into a state of sheer awe? Well, I feel like I'd have to be Annie Proulx to get the darn message across. This is nothing short of amazing.”
Elizabeth K wrote this review Sunday, June 22, 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This is the collection that contains "Brokeback Mountain" -- the most gorgeous short story I have ever written.”
Tex T wrote this review Friday, June 6, 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I love the characters, surreal situations and beautiful descriptions of the "landscapes of western minds" that Proulx includes in this set of stories. She writes beautifully and her stories are unusual and compelling. I enjoy all of Proulx's work but find these stories to be my favorites. I re-read them often and fall under the spell of her stories every time. Just a note.If you liked these stories I would highly recommend a lesser-known author (only 3 readers listed on Shelfari...a bloody shame). Paul St. Pierre wrote Smith and Other Events... a collection of short stories also focused on western characters (Canadian west) and like Proulx's stories they are beautifully written and full of heart, humor and wisdom.”
amy F wrote this review Wednesday, April 23, 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Annie Proulx can write a lifetime in a paragraph. Her writing is clean, hard, and gritty. Surprisingly masculine despite the subject matter; one of these stories was made into the movie Brokeback Mountain. ”
Lex wrote this review Sunday, April 13, 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Annie Proulx is an incredible writer. I don't even like cowboys, but now I feel like I've been in their skin, under their skin, for days. I feel like I've gotten a mouthful of ranch dust. It doesn't always feel good, because it's a very gritty book. But it's so powerful that it's worth some occasional discomfort. ”
Jenny Y wrote this review Wednesday, March 12, 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Great short stories. ”
Marilyn R wrote this review Tuesday, January 22, 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This is one hell of a book! Brokeback Mountain is as good a short story as I've read, and the rest in the collection hold their own.”
Johnnie B wrote this review Thursday, January 3, 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“One of the finest collections of short fiction I've ever read. Gripping, brutal, thrilling. "Brokeback Mountain" is just the tip of the iceberg.”
The Mayor of Jefferson Park wrote this review Monday, November 5, 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I didn't see the movie "Brokeback Mountain," but if it resembles the short story, it is heartbreaking. This whole collection discusses that when you love someone, regardless of who or how, you give them the power to kill your heart. I loved it, and I own it, but I don't think I will read it again.”
Holly H wrote this review Saturday, November 3, 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This collection is way more than "Brokeback Mountain", and read within the context of the other stories, you can see how it's not just a "gay love story" or even a "universal love story". The themes in this book are far from those cliches.
Raphael M wrote this review Thursday, October 25, 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Proulx is one of my favorite writers. She has the ability to change tones from lighthearted to horrifying and back again. In all her stories, the "place" is far more of the star than any of the characters. The way she fills each story with such a strong sense of geography and place is probably what makes her so gripping to me.
This book is darker than some of her other novels.”
