Crow Fair: Stories (Vintage Contemporaries)

Set in Big Sky Country, a triumphant collection of stories written with a comic genius in the vein of Twain and Gogol—from from the acclaimed author of Ninety-two in the Shade and Cloudbursts , “one of America's best short-story writers of the last 50 years" ( The Boston Globe ) These stories attest to the generous compass of Thomas McGuane's fellow feeling, as well as to his unique way with words. In this collection, filled with grace and humor, the ties of family make for uncomfortable binds: A devoted son is horrified to discover his mother's antics before she slipped into dementia, and a father's outdoor skills are no match for a change in the weather. But complications arise equally in the absence of blood, as when lifelong friends on a fishing trip finally confront their deep dislike for each other. Or when a gifted traveling cattle breeder succumbs to the lure of a stranger's offer of easy money. McGuane is as witty and large-hearted as we have ever known him, and Crow Fair is a jubilant, thunderous confirmation of his status as a modern master. As His Mother's Dementia Worsens, A Devoted, Favored Son Is Shocked To Learn Of His Mother's Past; A Father's Meager Outdoor Skills Are No Match For A Terrifying Turn In The Weather; Old Friends Holding Too Many Grudges Go Camping And Hire A Suicidal Guide With Too Many Rules. In Several Stories, Unlikely Alliances Form: An Eccentric Neighbor Who Babysits For A Busy, Unstable Couple Becomes Overly Attached; An Accomplished Cattle Geneticist Gets Sidetracked By The Glamour Of A Stranger's Easy Money; An Injured Ranch Owner Is Charmed By His Hired Help -- And Becomes Collateral Damage In A Classic Art World Heist. In All, The Acuity Of Mcguane's Darkly Comic Vision Is Surpassed Only By The Compassion He Manifests For Even The Rascalliest Of His Creatures-- Weight Watchers -- House On Sand Creek -- Grandma And Me -- Hubcaps -- On A Dirt Road -- Long View To The West -- Casserole -- T Motherlode -- Old Man Who Liked To Fish -- Prairie Girl -- The Good Samaritan -- Stars -- Shaman -- Canyon Ferry -- River Camp -- Lake Story -- Crow Fair. Thomas Mcguane. From one of our most deeply admired storytellers, author of the richly acclaimed Gallatin Canyon , his first collection in nine years. Set in McGuane's accustomed Big Sky country, with its mesmeric powers, these stories attest to the generous compass of his fellow feeling, as well as to his unique way with words and the comic genius that has inspired comparison with Mark Twain and Ring Lardner. The ties of family make for uncomfortable binds: A devoted son is horrified to discover his mother's antics before she slipped into dementia. A father's outdoor skills are no match for an ominous change in the weather. But complications arise equally in the absence of blood, as when life-long friends on a fishing trip finally confront their dislike for each other. Or when a gifted cattle inseminator succumbs to the lure of a stranger's offer of easy money. McGuane is as witty and large-hearted as we have ever known him -- a jubilant, thunderous confirmation of his status as modern master. "As his mother's dementia worsens, a devoted, favored son is shocked to learn of his mother's past; a father's meager outdoor skills are no match for a terrifying turn in the weather; old friends holding too many grudges go camping and hire a suicidal guide with too many rules. In several stories, unlikely alliances form: an eccentric neighbor who babysits for a busy, unstable couple becomes overly attached; an accomplished cattle geneticist gets sidetracked by the glamour of a stranger's easy money; an injured ranch owner is charmed by his hired help -- and becomes collateral damage in a classic art world heist. In all, the acuity of McGuane's darkly comic vision is surpassed only by the compassion he manifests for even the rascalliest of his creatures"-- Provided by publisher Weight watchers -- House on Sand Creek -- Grandma and me -- Hubcaps -- On a dirt road -- A long view to the west -- Casserole -- Motherlode -- An old man who liked to fish -- Prairie girl -- Good Samaritan -- Stars -- Shaman -- Canyon ferry -- River camp -- Lake story -- Crow fair. A collection of stories set in Big Sky country explores the ties of family and friendship and the many challenges and complications of these relationships