Paul St. Pierre

I have intended to read this book for many years, and finally have. I feel a bit sad having read it. There is so much about the surface of things that St. Pierre gets just right, and it felt wonderful to be around this kind of family, this kind of farm, these northern people of several sorts.

But. He seems to miss the soul of the people, in his decision to make a joke of it all, and how he attempts to pull that off. So it isn't funny, and it isn't touching, and it doesn't tell a burning truth. It just falls flat, is slightly aggravating and, I'll admit it, slightly off-putting. For me. Clearly others found it delightful.… (mere)

I had read another book by St Pierre called SMITH AND OTHER EVENTS several years back and remember being very entertained by it. Well, this book was no different. It made me laugh while imparting some real basic and common sense wisdom at the same time. The dialogue is priceless, as Smith tries to communicate with the various Indians. The stiffly formal language used by Smith made me think of Henry "Author" Wiggen in Mark Harris's baseball novels. Here is a small sample of Smith, talking with an ancient Indian -

"Ol Antoine, you keep out of that court ... I do not know much, Ol Antoine, but I know a few things. One thing I learned a long time ago - keep out of courts, hospitals and, if possible, the army ..."

This book is a very quick read, almost like a good literate comic book. But just because it is funny does not mean there is nothing profound here. Breaking Smith's Quarter Horse is a succinct commentary on the basic decency of an ordinary man.… (mere)