Montana 1948

Rating:
Summary: Hhmmm...
Review: Well I found the first chapter drawing me in, of course this was after he ranted about every little detail of the town - that kinda bored me. Then after chapter one I wanted to know what happens, but it was a bit of an anti-climax. Anyway besides the book being a bit dull, it was quite easy to read.

Rating:
Summary: Not a masterpiece but a very good story...
Review: This was an intriguing story about major issues in our society today: racism and sexual abuse. Some of the writing devices are a bit obvious, for example, the boy's continual eavesdropping as a way of telling the story. It's as the author fixed on this one device and didn't know how to get off it. I found myself asking, "Where's he going to hide next? The breadbasket?" However, it's very enjoyable and has a lot of tension. I think it would be a good book for high school kids. P.S. Special thanks to the reviewer-moron who gave away the ending.

Rating:
Summary: Montana 1948
Review: The book was a textbook they used in high school in Australia, I borrowed it and finished it in 3 days, it's a wonderful unputdownable short-read that deserves 4 stars. The story was controversial and instructive, his style of brisk storytelling would certainly attract a slew of readers. I've never read any of Watson's books, and I will surely watch out for his other books.

Rating:
Summary: Montana 1948
Review: A wonderful story about a family who's secrets start to unravel after a young Sioux women, Mary Little Soldier, falls sick with a fever. Montana 1948 is an excellent story that deserves four stars. I highly recommend this book. I have to agree with Barbara Hoffert from the Library Journal, who said "The moral issues, and the consequences of following one's conscience, are made painfully evident here. Watson is to be congratulated for the honest of his writing and the purity of his prose." Wesley tries to defeat his conscience by locking his brother in his basement rather than arresting him, even though he knows that it is the wrong decision. When Wesley's wife confronts Wes about what he's doing with Frank, his words show that he knows he is wrong. "Look, Frank said he'd come with me without a fuss. But he'd like to keep this quiet. He didn't want to be locked up in the jail. I said I'd respect that, and he's going to cooperate. Cooperate--hell, he's acting as if this is all some kind of joke." I general, a compelling story about the strength of a family.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful storyteller
Review: I loved his style. I don't usually go in for regional, tales, but Watson wrote a captivating novel exploring the complexities of human relationships in the context of a mystery set in a bleak small town. The setting itself mirrored some of the ways that we treat each other.

Rating:
Summary: Tough Questions
Review: I previewed this novel as a possible selection for a 9th grade reading list. The question of whether to do what is right versus what family and community expectations dictate is somewhat overworked and certainly oversimplified in most adolescent literature, but this is not adolescent literature, and the question is perhaps more valid today than it's ever been. Watson uses rather sensational subjects (racism and molestation) to remind us of questions we should all be asking ourselves, questions that should be raised in the home, the classroom, and in each of our communities. There is a little bit of Mercer County everywhere we turn.

Rating:
Summary: A good short, intriuging read
Review: Not normally a book i would choose to read, but was on my booklist for schhol (Yr 12) I found the is book well written, and the characters are brilliant to anaylyse. My one complaint was that you did know what was going to hasppen, although there was a few suprises. A brilliant book for senior school english, due to the way it is written. A credit to the author.

Rating:
Summary: country way of life brought to life in writing
Review: Montana 1948 was a very well written piece of work. Watson brought to life the way of life in a small remote country town showing it's values, morals and stereotypes. Almost hard to believe its fiction.

Rating:
Summary: Nostalgia with a twist.......
Review: I read this book in less than 2 days and could hardly put it down! Larry Watson has an incredible talent for making his characters more real than just words on a page. I loved this book. The dilemma of family loyalty versus the pursuit of justice reached me at the gut level...I thought the main character/story narrator, David, was very believable as a 12 yr. old in a small Montana town in 1948. I had to keep reminding myself that this is a work of fiction! I plan to read more of Larry Watson's books.

Rating:
Summary: Every word rings true
Review: A lot of stories involves a leap of faith at some point (Nobody would really act like _that_) but not this one. Everything in Montana 1948 sounds like it really could have happened that way. The emotions ring true and fit each character. Some of Watson's descriptions are breathtaking. Enchanting and engrossing. For readers of White Crosses, this story may be set in the same town but it's told in a completely different tone of voice and, I think, is even more enjoyable.