The Meadow

Rating:
Summary: A Stunning Book
Review: A book that has haunted me for several years now due both to the land that Galvin describes and the beauty of Galvin's prose and narrative structure. Told in a non-linear structure, Galvin's story weaves the tales of a meadow and the people who inhabit it for a century. The interweaving of the many short viniegettes and the truly breath-taking beauty of Galvin's prose capture something intangible about life that only true work of art can capture. Don't pass this book by!

Rating:
Summary: A Stunning Book
Review: A book that has haunted me for several years now due both to the land that Galvin describes and the beauty of Galvin's prose and narrative structure. Told in a non-linear structure, Galvin's story weaves the tales of a meadow and the people who inhabit it for a century. The interweaving of the many short viniegettes and the truly breath-taking beauty of Galvin's prose capture something intangible about life that only true work of art can capture. Don't pass this book by!

Rating:
Summary: Extraordinary
Review: A stunningly well written book. The writing, the pace--everything about this book was superb. I found the story to be realistic and moving. A book that you will think of often long after you have finished reading it. If you enjoy reading about the American west do not miss this one.

Rating:
Summary: Difficult to follow
Review: As a high school history teacher, I was looking forward to reading this book on the history of a small mountain ranch on the Colorado-Wyoming border. With Galvin being such a knowledgeable author who was raised in Wyoming, I thought his book would be so enjoyable; I found it tedious to read and disorganized. It was, also, very difficult for me to keep the characters straight. However,Galvin's description of the meadow and its seasons, was beautifully written. I would hope he considers these comments before he continues on his next book!

Rating:
Summary: Painfully Real
Review: Galvin captures the feeling of third and fourth generation ranch people. Those looking for a narrative such as found in so many chronicles of the settling of the west may be dissapointed. I was raised with my brothers Frank, a character in the book, and Charlie about twenty five miles east of the "meadow" as the crow flies and also on the Colorado-Wyoming state line. Frank, a fountain of common sense, but not nearly as philosophical as Galvin, shared his passion for the meadow and its environs as do all who were brought under its spell some time during their lives. None of us could have put it into words and we are thankful James did. The style is difficult even for those who know the area and characters, but it is exactly appropriate for the task at hand.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful picture of what the land means to us.
Review: Galvin uses a kind of stream of consciousness, though instead of being inside a character's mind, the reader is tied to the land. Once the structure becomes apparent, one follows the author's meanderings back and forth through the history and people who've lived on or passed through the meadow. Using powerful imagery and compelling people, Galvin shows how we in the West feel about our area. A sense of place is the focal point for many of our lives. Those who can live "just anywhere there's a job" won't understand, but for those who identify with the land in the West , it's an unforgettable work.

Rating:
Summary: The land endures
Review: I have to join the reviewers who objected to the sometimes confusing chronology and character relationships. However, that small caveat cannot take away from the power of this fine book. It was obviously written by a man who loves the land and the people who work it. The sense of place came vividly alive for me and I doubt anyone could withhold admiration for the tough people who give themselves to this rough land. I think this one makes a fitting opposite bookend to David McCumber's book The Cowboy Way, an equally loving look at the travails of modern ranching. Overall, it was a pleasure.

Rating:
Summary: Extraordinary
Review: I live (and hunt) in this country Mr. Galvin writes about. As a young boy I had my favorite books and movies about the West. I took this book on a camping trip this summer with my 2 year old daughter up above the Platte River and the (godawful) Cherokee Meadows subdivision , just below the WY/CO border. We read the "Often I am permited to return to a meadow" poem togather as the sun set behind the Sierra Madres. I hope she enjoys this book as much as I did.

Rating:
Summary: Good read
Review: I live (and hunt) in this country Mr. Galvin writes about. As a young boy I had my favorite books and movies about the West. I took this book on a camping trip this summer with my 2 year old daughter up above the Platte River and the (godawful) Cherokee Meadows subdivision , just below the WY/CO border. We read the "Often I am permited to return to a meadow" poem togather as the sun set behind the Sierra Madres. I hope she enjoys this book as much as I did.

Rating:
Summary: Poetry to the high-country soul
Review: I live in high country. This book is poetry: It speaks to the why and where of the way I have chosen. Galvin reminds me of John Graves, and that is high praise indeed. I didn't know Lyle, but I've known his like. The piece about paying attention in particular is one of the best things I've ever read. This is a book to be read aloud, even if only (or especially) to yourself. A grace. Thanks, Jim.