Author of 11 books, including a finalist for the National Book award, Ivan Doig is hailed as the "West's preeminent literary novelist" by the Denver Post. When a widowed rancher hires a housekeeper to help with his three young sons, he discovers that she is cheerful and competent. Yet she is concealing a colorful and infamous past. Filled with humor and hardship, Doig's novel sings with what he calls "a poetry of the vernacular." ". a book to pass on to your favorite readers ."-Publishers Weekly
Download and start listening now!
"I really like this book, a midwestern tale with wonderful boys, all unique and their dad who is raising them after their mom's passing at the turn of the century, and the housekeeper and her brother arrive to lighten and lite up their lives. Then some secrets unfold. It's a good read, recommended "
— Krin (4 out of 5 stars)
" When I started reading this book I thought Ivan Doig was borrowing his plot from Sarah, Plain and Tall. As I read on, I realized the variations in the plot made it interesting. I became annoyed by the "snap to the present" type of writing style but enjoyed the plot twist at the end. All in all, it was o.k., nothing shockingly original. "
— Suzanne, 2/15/2014" Like all of Doig's books, luminous, wondrous read. "
— Stefanie, 2/15/2014" This is a great book! It tells the story of a small community of Montana homesteaders in the early 1900's. The characters are fabulous, and the writing has subtle wit and great use of language. (I love an author with an extensive vocabulary.) It wasn't predictable and I thoroughly enjoyed it. "
— Robin, 2/14/2014" A wonderful read. My book group full of retired reading teachers loved it. Our discussions about teaching in the book and characters was lively. Beautifully written. "
— J.L., 2/14/2014" A paean to boyhood on a Montana homestead, the one-room schoolhouse and Rose, the housekeeper whose ad read "Can't cook, doesn't bite." A lovely story - warm with rough edges - just like a family of boys. "
— Rannie, 2/13/2014" A lovely wholesome book about the yesteryears. "
— Kerry, 2/11/2014" Very well written. I really enjoyed this book. "
— Jan, 2/3/2014" The writing in this book was well-done. The story of a young boy whose mother had died and the new woman who comes into their life is not predictable and constantly entertaining. I am looking foward to the next book! "
— Karli, 1/19/2014" I really liked the story and the characters. My kindle copy, however had many misspelled words and wrong words, that made the reading of it flawed. Overall it was a good read. "
— Dorothy, 12/18/2013" 3 brothers, a widower, a housekeeper with tag along "brother", a comet, and one room school house on the prairie...literate and appealing...nice folks you will want to know... "
— Roger, 12/17/2013" Nice, fun read about life on the prairie in the early 1900s with interesting characters. "
— Shelly, 12/7/2013" Really liked this book. It was well-written and the characters were very engaging. The plot was interesting. Overall, Doig painted a very clear "snapshot in time" of life in a small Montana prairie community that was on the cusp of being forever altered. "
— Kate, 11/22/2013" great book about Montana life in early 1900's, and reflection on the school system. Liked the plot twist towards end of book! "
— bert-bobbi, 11/2/2013" I unfortunately found this book very slow and uninteresting until the last few chapters. While it was well written, the plot was lacking. "
— Briana, 10/31/2013" Ending too trite, but lots of symbolism possibilities for a good book club discussion "
— Lonni, 9/20/2013" This was a confirmation of the "one room schools" that played such a rich part in the history of our country! Really enjoyed it, and will be looking for some of the author's other offerings! "
— Diane, 8/9/2013" YMCA Book Club. First book I read of the club. Not going back. I was the youngest by about 25 years. NO THANKS. Book is okay but seems like I'm reading a lifetime original movie script. BOO. "
— Bibliolicious, 6/6/2013" A book about the one room school on the prairie. Great characters. "
— Anita, 5/23/2013" I loved the story and the use of the language. "
— Carolyn, 4/21/2013" I don't do five stars all that much. "
— Larry, 4/12/2013" Book club selection - interesting story of Montana school boy, Paul, during 1910 and Haley's Comet. Interesting but slow moving. "
— Katherine, 10/17/2012" Good, not great. The language was well chosen, but the story was a little dry. "
— Soni, 6/12/2012" I really enjoyed this book. The book is set in Montana in 1909, and it brought a one room schoolhouse to life. I enjoyed the writng style of Ivan Doig. I will read other books by him. "
— Jane, 5/9/2012" A little slow at times but interesting and a nice twist. "
— Jean, 5/7/2012" I really enjoyed this book. I loved the writing and the characters. It's one of those books where not a lot happens but it's rich and lovely and I'm sad when it's over. "
— Jill, 1/11/2012" I have read most of Ivan Doig's books but this is one of my favorites. "
— Steve, 12/22/2011" Beautifully written tale of a homesteading family in 1910 in Montana. "
— Jhwood31, 11/21/2011" Great story and characters, from 100 years-ago Montana. Anyone interested, like me, in 1-room school houses, this is a wonderful account of one, and of life on the prairie of a memorable family. A thoroughly enjoyable read! "
— Altomom, 9/20/2011" What a lovely book, completely evocative of a time gone by - life on the prarie in a one room school house in Montana in the early 1900's. It reminded me so much of Howard Frank Mosher's book, Northern Borders, whose setting was Vermont. "
— Liz, 5/29/2011" YMCA Book Club. First book I read of the club. Not going back. I was the youngest by about 25 years. NO THANKS. Book is okay but seems like I'm reading a lifetime original movie script. BOO. "
— Bibliolicious, 5/19/2011" Toward the end of this fine novel by a fine writer, is the line that sums up this book: "Even when it stands vacant the past is never empty." "
— Paddy, 5/16/2011" Pretty predictable plot with just a few surprises. Still, it's an interesting study of prairie life. "
— Sonny, 5/13/2011" Wonderful! Can't wait to read more of Ivan Doig. Yes! to the comparison with Wallace Stegner. <br/>Pure pleasure "
— Marlene, 5/10/2011" A school superintendent remembers his motherless boyhood attending a one room schoolhouse and reflects on the choice his father made to get a mail order housekeeper. "
— Linda, 5/5/2011" Very enjoyable! Didn't want it to end. "
— Lynette, 5/3/2011" Very good story set in an interesting setting. "
— Larry, 4/25/2011" The story was moderately interesting, but the WRITING!! I've never read any other author that can write like this guy does. It's art. "
— Brooke, 4/16/2011" Laughed out loud. Enjoyed the antics of the brothers. Surprises at the end. <br/> "
— Carol, 4/5/2011" Book club selection - interesting story of Montana school boy, Paul, during 1910 and Haley's Comet. Interesting but slow moving. "
— Katherine, 4/4/2011" A sweet, good hearted story that takes place in Montana in the early 1900s. The characters were great and nothing horrific happens, which makes it a winner in my book. I've never read this author before but this definitely left me wanting to read others by him. "
— Emily, 4/2/2011Ivan 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.
Jonathan Hogan is a stage, television, and film actor. He has appeared in several episodes of Law & Order, as well as One Life to Live, As the World Turns, and Ryan’s Hope. In 1985 his performance in the play As Is earned him a Tony Award nomination.