Blue River

This is a gentle novel that relates the history resulting in the estrangement of two brothers. It is told from the perspective of the younger brother, now a suc- cessful physician. The reader revisits the angst of childhood familial dynamics - - the mysterious and worshiped 'black sheep' older brother and the absent father. We see the depths of unspoken emotions and silent pain; the losses, mistakes, and the love. Canin's language is rich and languid. He builds upon the inner workings of heart and mind more than observable action. The novel is thoughtful and engrossing.

Ethan Canin is one of my favorite modern novelists. That being said, I feel his books, while still good, have gotten progressively less interesting as he has gotten older. The first two stories in the Palace Thief are my favorite - along with Blue River. Just the way Canin emotes the feelings created by the bonds of his characters in this book truly reveal how it feels to be a young man, what traits are revered by young men, what is found in oneself, and what is lost. I don't know...not sure what there is here NOT to like.

I thought this was a very well-written and interesting description of the relationship between two brothers. I agree that pages 75-125 were slow but the rest of the book is by no means dull. Canin gradually reveals what caused the estrangement of the two brothers and his description of life in the small Wisconsin town where he grew up is often vivid with truly three-dimensional characters. I don't know whether anyone will believe me after reading the prior reviews but I highly recommend this novel.

This book displays in abundance the fine style and care for his characters that so distinguish Canin's subsequent work. Well worth reading.