Friday, May 20, 2022

FFB: LET HIM GO, Larry Watson




I am a big Larry Watson fan and LET HIM GO did not disappoint. It is a great followup to books like WHITE CROSSES and MONTANA: 1948.

After their adult son is killed in an accident, his widowed wife marries again and leaves the Blackledge's home to go with her new husband to Montana. She takes their grandson with her, of course, and therein lies the problem.

"With you or without you," Margaret Blackledge insists, and at these words George knows his only choice is to follow her to Montana.
 

George takes to the road with Margaret by his side, tracking down the Weboy clan quickly. When Margaret tries to convince Lorna to return home to North Dakota, bringing little Jimmy with her, the Blackledges find themselves mixed up with the entire Weboy clan, a horrific family determined not to give the boy up without a fight. It's more about possession than love with a family like this. 

This slim volume contains a heart-pounding story, unforgettable characters, terrific atmosphere and some of the most beautiful prose you will ever read. I liked it almost as much as MONTANA: 1948, making it still one of my favorite books. Oh, to write like Mr. Watson.  

This was made into quite a decent movie with Kevin Costner and Diane Lane a few years ago. 

 

5 comments:

Margot Kinberg said...

Larry Watson is such a talented writer, Patti! He really makes the reader feel the place and characters, if I can put it that way. Good choice!

George said...

It will not surprise you to learn that I have Larry Watson books on my shelves...but have not read them. Your fin review is motivating me to do something about that!

Todd Mason said...

A good choice for a redux. I still need to pick this up (I think I've seen only a short stretch of the film...).

marmee said...

I want to thank you for introducing me to Larry Watson and his glorious Montana 1948! Writing that is translucent but cuts to the bone like a sharp knife . I had never come across this writer before , how glad I am that I read your blog.

pattinase (abbott) said...

I am rereading MONTANA 1948 right now. I convinced my book group to read it.