The Bones of Plenty

For years, it seemed, I'd hear bits & pieces about a book entitled "The Bones of Plenty": how great it was, how its story, about bleak farming life on the harsh plains of North Dakota during the Great Depression, rivaled even Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath". But I knew, of course, that connoisseurs of fine literature, in possession of their full faculties, would respond to such a claim with a vitriolic & sarcastic "okay, sure". Well, I, oddly enough, discovered this weighty piece of work, penned by Lois Hudson, published 1962, not for casual reading but as research material. Its story's geography and flavor, you see, was to quench my thirst for much-needed data for my own next novel. I scanned editorial reviews of Hudson's "Bones" on the Internet, and saw, to my surprise, that a few critics did indeed rank it with "Grapes". I, of course, remained skeptical. Now, having read "The Bones of Plenty", I must agree: It is rugged & truthful, hopeless & brutal. It is magnificent in every way. Is "Bones" the absolute equal of "Grapes"? Perhaps not, perhaps due to its safe distance of time from the Depression Era; an era that Steinbeck's words, in real time, painted so artfully. Perhaps since North Dakota doesn't hold the Hollywood charm for film as did Steinbeck's golden California, and, just maybe, because readers suspected Hudson no doubt drew inspiration from Steinbeck, & not vice-versa, "The Bones" could not quite climb that "Grapeful" platitude. Who knows? But it DOES rank. READ IT! It is amongst the rarest & best works of fine literature. And, dare I admit this? IT HAS BROKEN INTO MY TOP 10! As an avid reader myself of classics, I was at first stunned by how The Bones so quickly took its rightful place alongside The Old Man, Eden, Mockingbird, Fountainhead, Deliverance, King's Men, Lonesome Dove, etc., on my very exclusive list; hallowed ground, stingily reserved. So I re-read Modern Library's 100 Greatest 20th Century Novels and similar published rankings, certain I'd find my "Bones" comfortably amongst the elite. But nothing. "Bones" made not one list! Hmmm...where & why were "The Bones" buried? Why Hudson - a great writer's ghostwriter - lack of notoriety? Was Hudson's beautiful "Bones" buried in the early-60's avalanche of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird? Joseph Heller's Catch 22?: great books both, and both, like The Bones of Plenty, notched in my personal Top 20. Perhaps we'll never know. I suspect North Dakota's writers receive about as much respect & fanfare as does the humble state from which they come. So my hat's off to Lois P. Hudson; a woman whose politics, I've gathered, could not be more distant from my own conservative views. (I was not pleased by her recent comments on GWB!) But, politics aside, it is my testimony to say that readers of fine works are a little less blessed for not having unearthed & wept over Lois' "Bones". I suggest they grab a shovel. The literary world

As a farmer of 20 years myself, Lois Hudson has touched a nerve with her novel. The roller-coaster of emotions and vivid descriptions she gives of agriculture in the Dakotas are suprisingly true to this day. The sense of pride for an honest way of life, the anger springing from the lack of control over events, people, weather and markets,and the ultimate indifference to the farmers existence displayed by urban populace stings like salt in a wound. I only wish that more Americans would read and experience this wonderful novel. Perhaps they would better understand the small minority that works to feed them.

My father grew up on a farm in South Dakota during the Depression, and endured many of the things described in Ms. Hudson's fine book: dust storms, locusts, mind-deadening work, and a sense of futility. I am surprised that I had never heard of this book until recently, when I read about it in Ms. Norris' "Dakota", a book that was exasperating but worth reading just to find out about "Bones of Plenty".Since Ms. Hudson spent her early years in North Dakota, I suspect that her book is largely autobiographical. She is to be commended for presenting her characters realistically, and yet sympathetically. Some of the people in her book may appear to be villains, but, ultimately, all of them are victims of the same awful combination of environmental and financial collapse. This is one of the many books that one can read that makes one proud of our farmers at the same time that one questions their judgment in choosing a career that is both demanding and risky.

The dogged insistence of an immigrant farmer who loves the land, wants to make a living there, and refuses to give up is made both real and moving. Without sentimentality, Hudson shows family closeness and rugged determination, but does not avoid the painful truth of despair and the trauma of emigration.

Kathleen Norris recommended this book in "Dakota" and having grown up in South Dakota (although not during the 30s) I ordered it right away. It was as good as she said. It seemed like a mix between Grapes of Wrath and a morality play. It tells you volumes about the Depression; the Depression as it affected farmers; farming (great descriptions of pig butchering); and family relationships. On top of all that, it was fun to read. I recommend it especially for those readers who were fascinated by the PBS Frontline series "The Farmer's Wife".