Ride with Me, Mariah Montana

Ivan Doig's trilogy, English Creek, Dancing At The Rascal Fair and Ride With Me Mariah Montana are three separate fictional tales that connect their main characters during an adventure (Ride With Me Mariah Montana) that occurs during Montana's Centennial. Of these three Doig books I favored Ride With Me Mariah Montana as its historical information about Montana is accurate and interesting and the fictional characters and their adventures are entertaining.

I recommend that you read "Dancing at the Rascal Fair" first, before "English Creek," which was written first, and follow with "Ride with Me, Mariah Montana." Great storytelling -- plotting, dialogue first-rate, crisp, and smart. "Dancing" is sort of a late 20th century American Thomas Hardy novel, big, rich, colorful, and in important respects old-fashioned in its aversion to irony and meta-fiction; the three interrelated novels each stand alone, but are greatly strengthened by the connected narrative stream from grandfather through grandson. This is a strong, important work in American fiction, I think. The books are about family, character, and the land they inhabit and cultivate, and how all are affected by a century of Europeans living in the northern Montana front range of the Rockies. The books are quite moving in an unaffected but profound manner, and the characters, all of them including the most minor bit player, and the scenes leap off the page into memory. The books are not hurt by the fact that the author, Doig, earned a PhD in American History and once worked as a journalist who also published poetry. Everything in each of the books "feels" right and Doig expresses complex thoughts, emotions, and actions with a poet's deep understanding and love of language without ever being sappy or turgid. In "Ride with Me" Jick is turning 65 and is a recent widower. He is not a lost soul, but he is re-evaluating his role in life and his prospects. He is lassoed by his daughter and her ex-husband into a long threesome trip back-and-forth and up-and-down Montana upon the occasion of its Centennial of statehood. This sounds like so little for such a fine book. The three butt heads in ways that all families do, but this is not opera. Instead, it's about revelation and the power of Ur-memory, I think -- I won't say more for fear of spoiling your read. And DO read these books! I cannot adequately express why, but I know this trilogy to be important in the manner of the very best American literature. Bottom line: old-fashioned, excellent writing by a pro who knows the Montana north of these books like the back of his hand. If you're an American at heart, you'll admire and relish these three books whether you live big or small cities or in rural areas. That might seem a little silly, slightly overcooked statement, but read the books and you'll understand what I mean.

"Ride With Me, Mariah Montana" fits perfectly with "Dancing at the Rascal Fair" and "English Creek". The emphasis on well-developed characters and beautiful landscape descriptions continue to be foremeost. Beyond those, there is a story here, a complete story of a family. There are issues of grief, of loss, of love, and of reconciliation that are as real as day-to-day living. Fans of Wallace Stegner and Norman Maclean will find these works every bit as rewarding.

As a young American Studies major, I read _English Creek_ , the second book about the McCaskill family, for a class about the American West. I was enchanted. Then I read the first, _Dancing at the Rascal Fair_ (the first in the series) which enchanted me again. Close to ten years after I read my first Doig book, _Ride with Me, Mariah Montana_ yet again entertained and beguiled me. Doig is a gift to us readers. There is not a single dud in this series. Even if you don't like "western" novels (and I usually do not), these are great reads with excellant characters.

The two earlier books in this trilogy introduced me to the wonderful, fascinating McCaskills and to the rugged, hard and dangerous beauty of Montana. This final book brings closure to the family story and describes modern Montana. Ivan Doig brings the characters to life and makes you feel the country as a character in itself. This trilogy is highly readable and very enjoyable. It describes an important part of our American culture.