The Big Why

i kept running into one brilliant insight into human nature after another in this wonderful book. and these insights are described in ways you have not read before (never a cliche), original. i would pause and reread a sentence and think "wow, that is so true", the author is keenly, sensitively aware of man's thoughts and motivations. i am no literary critic (obviously, thankfully) but i love it when a book, a voice, a description rings true. this happens repeatedly here. i highly recommend this book. i found the title on some book search engine where i entered 'michael ondaatje' as an author i enjoyed, and this book came up. both are beautifully poetic and original in story and voice.

I will leave the summaries to others - and say simply: What a wonderful book! Not only is his depiction of Brigus, Newfoundland delightfully evocative and as colorful as it deserves, but Michael Winter's voice is like no other. In my opinion it's hard as hell to properly depict Newfoundland -- to balance the beauty, the humor, the hardscrabble life, the dangers of living off the North Atlantic sea and the strength, resourcefulness, and pain of its people. Winter makes it look easy. His originality and ability to dig deep into his characters' motivations (as well as their blind spots) is inspiring. If, like me, you agree with Chekhov that the job of the writer is not to provide answers, but to properly frame the question, then this book will delight you, for Winter has pulled it off flawlessly. And did I mention he's funny as hell? Well done, boy!

This is a great book. The book is about a man and his struggle with his faults. The characters in this book are amazingly developed. I felt that i understood the characters and their decisions. The plot of the story went along amazingly with the development of and between the characters. Winter wrote this book so well. This is a book that I will reread. PS The book is based on Rockwell Kent's life, but that doesn't limit the book. The book's main idea explores Rockwell Kent as a man, beyond his career. PPS If you read this book and are interested in Bob Bartlett, there is another wonderful historical novel, The Ice Master( Don't judge a book by its title), by Jennifer Niven. It's a great book.

A smashing, fantastically written book about the painter Rockwell Kent, drawn very convincingly in Michael Winter's spare, elegant prose. This writer has a great eye for detail, and he creates an extremely vibrant portrait of Newfoundland in the early 20th Century, and the way Kent's provocative presence shakes the place - and him. Everything about it feels just about right.