The Breaking of Ezra Riley

This was given to me as a gift, and I really didn't know what I'd think of it. I've never been one for Cowboy books, I've never once read Louis L'amour. So to be quite honest, I really didn't care if this was a read that I'd put down half way through. Well, after the first chapter I found myself looking at my wife saying, "Ya know, this isn't half bad." That was kind of an understatement, it was awesome! So you REALLY want to read about Montana? You want to read about horses, possibly learn about what ranch life is all about? Are you ready for this? Is this the adventure you're looking for? You'll find out. Ezra Riley is the man who comes back home to stay after his daddy's funeral. His daddy is Johnny Riley, and everybody knows ole' Johnny. One tough sonuvagun that Johnny. Ezra has his Uncle Sam and Solomon still alive in these parts of Montana, and they still speak their mind when the time comes. Steven Curtis Chapman wrote a song called "The Great Adventure" and it starts out with him singing in excitement, "Saddle up your horses!!!" If you read this men, or anybody for that matter, saddle up, and hold on tight! One of the key themes in this is "Don't quit the critter." Now, living in New York, I think I even get the simple meaning of such a honky-tonk phrase. Is it that simple? Yep, and it packs quite a punch. It isn't as graceful as say, fly fishing, but it separates the men from the boys, so to speak. This wasn't an easy read at times. You feel some of the discouragement. But finish it if you start it, and you'll feel as if you earned a great prize. The simple prize of finishing, and persevering! That should at least be worth something.

I have had the pleasure of corresponding with John L. Moore and purchasing other books from him. He is a very genuine man. Some of the out of print books available in limited numbers by the author. I highly recommend this fabulous book. While not a fast reader, I was able to complete the saga of Exra Riley in a matter of a few days. One does not wish to put the book down and I often would tell myself ,"just one more chapter." This novel hit me in the right time and place and has me aching for wild spaces. It has been an encouragement as well, especially for all of us who feel that we don't measure up in some way.

Having been fascinated by John's earlier book, "Take the Reins," I was somewhat prepared for "The Breaking of Ezra Riley." However, no one is ever really prepared for life. But life comes at us full force. That's what happened to me when I read "Ezra". Living life on life's terms. With no frills, but with a fascination of human relationships within the context of the west. John ties his novel with his own past--his relationship with his parents and his struggle for individuation. His leaving home to find his own life and his struggle through the late 60'early 70's youth culture was all part of the bigger picture of his breaking. His life led him eventually back home for his real life to begin--only after his breaking. As a psychotherapist, I was so amazed by this man's writings, I traveled from Texas to Montana to visit with John and his family. I have been a John Moore fan ever since. Watch out, the breaking could also be for you.

This novel draws the reader into the raw setting and gutsy lifestyle of Ezra Riley from page one. John Moore is definitely gifted in the area of characterization, and one gets to know Ezra and his family and friends very intimately as the plot unfolds. Ezra Riley is REAL and the events that happen in his life are REAL. To enhance the intrigue even more, Moore weaves the natural and the supernatural together with great skill throughout the novel. On subsequent readings (and you WILL read this more than once) the reader begins to see the "message" behind the prose. John Moore preaches through his characters, exposing the gutsy, secrets that dwell in people's hearts; Jubal, Lillie Foster, and Ezra himself are mirrors to be looked into deeply. Once the reader looks he/she will say, "OH that is me!" or "Oh that is what has been happening to me!" My promise to you, the readers, is this. You will be riveted!

In, The Breaking of Ezra Riley we find what is usually surprisingly lacking in contemporary Christian fiction. Reality! John L. Moore paints the life of a prodigal son, only in this tale Ezra's father isn't waiting with open arms, he's dead, and his mother is an overprotective chain smoker looking for a way to fill the void that the death of her tyrannical abusive husband has left not to mention someone to manage the rundown cattle ranch that was his legacy. She turns to Ezra, her only surviving son, who at this point in his life is woefully unfit for the job. Despite his lack of qualifications Ezra takes the job, and the man that left Montana a renegade, hippy poet clad in sandles returns, this time sporting K-mart cowboy boots and a chip on his shoulder the size of the Montana sky. He has something to prove. However, he doesn't manage to prove anything more than that he's not much better than the father he disdains. While seeking to prove that he's the better man, he finds out something that both terrifies and intrigues him. He's more his father's son than he'd hoped. His wife joins him with their infant son, and here enters my one nit. Every character in this book is a well rounded, real person except Ezra's wife. Her sugar sweetness could've been counter-balanced with a little PMS or something. She's a Christian, and tries to share her faith without smothering Ezra or driving him away, but in the end the very sweetness I found slightly distasteful manages to annoy Ezra too. She is everything to him that no one else has provided. A mirror that gives him his real reflection, but doesn't shatter as his self image has done. He just can't accept her assesment of himself. Surely he must be worse than that if he's a Riley boy? Just look at his father and his six uncles! The book takes the reader on a journey filled with excellent characterization, and sub-plots that are entertaining without detracting from the real story. We watch sadly as Ezra manages to alienate or destroy everything and everyone he touches, and the approval he's seeking isn't obtained, especially by the reader. With the skill of a wordsmith John L. Moore has managed something very tricky. He's made the reader feel almost disdain towards the main character without destroying the vital link. While reading the book I felt as if Ezra needed a thump on the head, but I also cared for his plight. I wanted him to overcome the curse that seemed to plague him, and find hope for the future. I won't ruin the ending, but suffice it to say it isn't dissapointing, and yet it also isn't the typical salvation/everything is rosy despite our faults ending that has marked so much Christian fiction. The prodigal son makes it home, but will he accept the open arms of his Father? We encounter grief and real life tradgedy with none of the soothing balm we've seen in all the other books. Any readers in search of characters that you could swear showed up at your family re