Friday, September 13, 2019

the second time through it was even better

Whiskey When We're Dry by John Larison; 2018;$26.00; 387 pages; Viking, New York, NY; 978-07352-2044-7; purchased from SmileAmazon.com; 8/30/19-9/6/19

I reread this because I am leading a discussion on it at book club on September 14.  I was sucked in again by the author's use of language and how he is able to paint such memorable characters.  I also enjoyed the shout out to Johnny Cash and Shel Silverstein.  
This is the story of Jessilyn Harney and her life in the old west.  It is an unconventional tale of a woman who has to find her own way after she is abandoned by her older brother.  Her mother dies in childbirth and she is raised by her father and older brother, until conflict between them drives her brother off.  As her father tries to run their spread and deal with so much, he meets an accidental demise.  Jess then determines to find her brother and does so in a way that ensures that she doesn't have to rely on the men around her.  It explores the sexuality of several characters and what it means to follow a charismatic person.
Every one of the main characters is a fully realized human being with conflicts, characters flaw and doubts.  

I am looking forward to reading more from John Larison.

10/10


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