National Book Award finalist Ivan Doig writes about Big Sky country with raw authenticity. Set during the 1920s, Prairie Nocturne finds Susan Duff, the young songbird from Doig's Dancing at the Rascal Fair, now a middle-aged singing coach living in Helena. When her old flame Wes Williamson asks her to mentor his black chauffeur, Monty, she agrees. But racial tensions erupt when Susan's private lessons with Monty attract the attention of the KKK. "Fine work from a quintessentially American writer."-Kirkus Reviews
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"I listened to the audio version of this book. Given the importance of song to the narrative, the musical interpretation of the reader(Scott Sower) was critical. I thought he did a fine job with the different voices, and I really liked his singing voice, although it wasn't as good as I'd imagine Monty's to be. Now I'd like to go back and read his Montana trilogy, in which the characters of Susan and Wes were introduced."
— Sara (4 out of 5 stars)
" This book grew on me, but it took a while. I found Doig's writing to be distracting at first; it seemed like he was trying to hard. Also, the love relationship that develops was not convincing for me. But the book has a quiet, sad tone that appealed to me and has stayed with me. "
— Katherine, 2/20/2014" The one Ivan Doig booked I never finished. Doig's strength is his ability to write about families. This book isn't about a family. "
— Jennifer, 2/15/2014" Must read more Doig. Loved his style, sense of humor, and his way of tackling of serious subject matter in such a human way. His setting is western - but I wouldn't call this book a western fiction. The story and unabashedly flawed characters are just plain universal... "
— Laura, 2/2/2014" My first Ivan Doig read. I am going to the library tomorrow for another Doig novel! A wonderful story about class, gender, and class in Montana in the 19th century. There are strong female and African American characters. "
— Gail, 1/24/2014" A story set in Montana during the days of cowboys and copper barons, it gives an interesting look in to the relationships between some unique characters and insight into the racism that was a part of that era. Briefly, a spinster music teacher gives singing lessons to a black cowboy and he ends up in Harlem as a major musical talent. "
— Peggy, 1/9/2014" Years ago, I tried to read an Ivan Doig book and failed. After about half of the book, I put it down and thought he was an author I just wasn't interested in. However, this book was a choice of one of my book group members, so I had to read it. I found that it was a good story - based on actual true events and characters. Maybe I'll attempt another one of his books. "
— Shelley, 1/7/2014" Rereading. My first Ivan Doig book, pulled from the new book shelf at the library because of the cover. Been a fan of his ever since. "
— annebeth, 1/2/2014" One of my all time favorites. "
— Chris, 12/31/2013" I loved Whistling Season and I liked Work Song so I was excited to see another by this author. It might have been my mood but this book seemed to spend an awful lot of time going nowhere. I didn't like any of the main characters enough to really care what happened to them. "
— Sharon, 11/28/2013" Back to reading Doig! An enjoyable read. I'm fascinating by the breadth of Doig's interest in the early 20th Century history - largely based in Montana but this one enlarges the scene to encompass music as well as the troubling racial problems. "
— Carol, 11/26/2013" I found this book very moving, something about her inparticular struck a chord with me. Very interesting time period, beautiful story. Love reaching across boundaries. "
— Emily, 11/21/2013" I keep coming home to Ivan Doig, his beautiful turn of a phrase, his deep understanding of the West, and his wordplay. I feel so at home with him! "
— Laura, 11/21/2013" 3 1/2 stars. It would have been 4, but I've just been reading a ton of civil rights stuff lately, so I think I might be burned out reading about hate and prejudice. Loved the singing stuff, loved the prairie stuff, this is a great writer. "
— Amara, 10/30/2013" A look at the issue of race in our personal relationships. "
— Elsie, 8/30/2013" Having reading Doig's full list of books, this one is also worth reading. About life in MT around WWI. He is a master storyteller. "
— David, 7/16/2013" This would have been a four but for the ending. "
— Steve, 1/14/2013" It was good, but I've passed it on. Maybe someone else will enjoy it more. "
— Jordan, 8/9/2012" I really appreciate this author's abilities but this book is simply not his best by a long shot. So while it is certainly better than average considering the landscape of all books, it is a disappointment within the this author's canon. "
— David, 8/8/2012" Doig is perhaps the premiere writer of contemporary western fiction (not related to cowboys!). "
— Charles, 6/20/2012" His writing makes me so homesick for the prairie. Favorite quote from the book,"No country that has ever had human eyes pass over it is empty of memory." I read his books SLOWLY to savor the descriptions of the landscape. "
— Karen, 4/29/2012" Lovely name for a book. It had the same lyrical, beautiful style as The Whistling Season, but far less seemed to be happening. Perhaps because Doig wasn't quite as comfortable with his setting here. I was disappointed it wasn't up to the standard of the Whistling Season and didn't finish it. "
— Rosemary, 12/16/2011" Another beautifully written narrative of the Two Medicine country and characters Doig gives us the joy to read. "
— Clinton, 4/20/2011" I really appreciate this author's abilities but this book is simply not his best by a long shot. So while it is certainly better than average considering the landscape of all books, it is a disappointment within the this author's canon. "
— David, 3/14/2011" One of my all time favorites. "
— Chris, 1/28/2011" This is my second Ivan Doig and I got through only about half of it. I love Doig's writing but the story dragged so that I finally gave up. "
— Bobbi, 8/21/2010" The one Ivan Doig booked I never finished. Doig's strength is his ability to write about families. This book isn't about a family. "
— Jennifer, 1/10/2010" What I liked most about this book was the appearance of a couple of the main characters from Doig's English Creek series. <br/>This was not my favorite of his books, it was fine and not a bad story, but not nearly as compelling to me as the others I've read. "
— Stacy, 1/10/2010" This book grew on me, but it took a while. I found Doig's writing to be distracting at first; it seemed like he was trying to hard. Also, the love relationship that develops was not convincing for me. But the book has a quiet, sad tone that appealed to me and has stayed with me. "
— Katherine, 2/4/2009" Rereading. My first Ivan Doig book, pulled from the new book shelf at the library because of the cover. Been a fan of his ever since. "
— annebeth, 1/14/2009" Beautiful writing but a bit confusing and difficult to follow at times. Started out really well and I was thinking this was a 3 or even a 4 star book. By the end I was finding it tedious. I did not find the ending very plausible either. "
— Wayne, 11/15/2008" Another beautifully written narrative of the Two Medicine country and characters Doig gives us the joy to read. "
— Clinton, 11/7/2008" It was good, but I've passed it on. Maybe someone else will enjoy it more. "
— Jori, 10/25/2008" Must read more Doig. Loved his style, sense of humor, and his way of tackling of serious subject matter in such a human way. His setting is western - but I wouldn't call this book a western fiction. The story and unabashedly flawed characters are just plain universal... "
— Laura, 8/21/2008Ivan Doig (1939–2015) wrote over a dozen books, including the Indiebound bestseller Work Song, the classic memoir This House of Sky, and the acclaimed Montana trilogy. He has been a National Book Award finalist and has received the Wallace Stegner Award, among many other honors.
Scott Sowers is an actor and audiobook narrator. AudioFile magazine named him the 2008 Best Voice in Mystery and Suspense. He is the winner of seven Earphones Awards.