Richard Snodgrass

This is a lovely book. It's a juxtaposition of black and white photos, mostly taken in rural, southwestern Pennsylvania and stories. The stories sometimes appear to have something to do with the photos, but it's not always obvious that they do. The stories are essentially pictures in words of a moment in a person's life.

The first part of the book contains forty very short stories, most just a few paragraphs. A few are in multiple parts, the longest, I believe having nine parts.

The second part of the book is essentially a novellette, The Hill Wife. Each short chapter is preceded by a photo. It tells about an old farmer and his spouse, Maddie. Their son, William, a real estate magnate in Pittsburgh, comes home. William has heard that his mother is likely to be institutionalized, and he comes home to prevent his father's doing so. When he sees his mother, he realizes how far into dementia she has gone and then tries to insist on taking charge of the institutionalization.

William's father, Noah, and he have rarely seen eye to eye on things. Basically, we go back and forth between the one and the other with their reminiscences of their lives together. A few chapters contain rather muddled musings from Maddie. Over the course of things we get a rather nice portrait of complicated family dynamics.

I loved the little stories, the longer story, and all the photos. This book will be a treasure to revisit from time to time.

#FurrowAndSlice
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… (más)

When I initially saw this book and its description, I was tickled. As a member of a reenacting 42nd Royal Highlander regiment of the French and Indian War, I am always on the prowl for historical fiction accounts based on strong research to help me in my portrayal of a woman attached to the regiment on campaign in North America. Although this book did not help me much in that regard, it still provided some interesting tidbits regarding regimental daily life and the area around Fort Pitt (present day Pittsburgh, PA).

It is an interesting premise to have the daily journal of a Black Watch ensign be the center point of the stories across three time periods, (1817, 1776, 1765). However, the incestuous beginning and ending of the book really was quite jarring and I'm not certain of its necessity to the story. I personally would have been content with the 1765 writing period and the 1776 recounting of the journal. Be that as it may, the author does a spectacular job of describing the wilderness in which an outpost to Fort Pitt is situated. As for the details of the military attire described in the journal, there were a few which could be improved. ("shoulder belt" = baldric, "leggings" = diced hose, "tunic" = regimental). I therefore could not recommend this story to my fellow highland reenactors. It would only disappoint and frankly, frustrate.

As I've mentioned, the writing is highly descriptive and painterly. However, the constant utilization of periods at the ends of phrases and limited complete sentences, was irritating to this reader. When used on occasion, it can be quite effective; when so often - just affected. With references to 18th century philosopher, David Hume, there was a strong sense of philosophical ponderings throughout the book, thus giving the reader opportunity to pause and reflect. It is strongly juxtaposed with the gory details of a soldier's life in native American country of the wilderness. If a story on colonial soldiering, replete with sex and gore appeals, then this may be a good choice for you.

I am grateful to author Richard Snodgrass and Calling Crow Press for having provided a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review.… (más)