Annie Proulx: Fine Just The Way It Is, Wyoming Stories 3

[Shakesthecoffecan]

Oh, I'll have to run and get that!!!

When I saw Annie Proulx at a reading in NYC, she read to us one of the stories in that book, called "The Sagebrush Kid".

I loved it.

Yep, that is on page 79. There are 9 stories total, it seems like fewer than the previous in the series, but they are longer. There are 221 pages total.

[CellarDweller]

Cool!  Thanks for the update Truman!  I now have shopping for the weekend!

[southendmd]

So, I bought my copy tonight. 

The salesperson said to me, "A lot of press about this.  Do you have the other two?" 

I said,  "Yeah, I'm a big fan."   

[Shakesthecoffecan]

SPOILER ALERT

So I read the first story last night, Family Man.

Like so many of Proulx's stories I find myself figuring out "who knows the whole story". Most often only the reader get to see what is going on in everyones mind, like how in Brokeback Mountain, Ennis had no idea that Jack remembered the dozy embrace.

In Family Man, 80 somthing Ray Forkenbrock, an old ranch hand, is a resident of a retirement community where his granddaughter comes to visit and tape record his memories. He posesses a whole story, and much pivots on his ability to convey to her a family secret and perceptions of how this passed knowledge will be handled. Around this swirls related tales of heart attacks, accidental deaths, attempted murder, rental cars and secrets kept.

[Penthesilea]

I just ordered my copy. Will safe it for my October vacation .
I really like her gritty characters.

[CellarDweller]

Oh cool, Truman!  I'll definitely be buying this book tis weekend!

[Shakesthecoffecan]

"I've Always Loved This Place" (SPOILER ALERT)

This second story gives the book its title, "Fine Just The Way It Is" is the reply the Devil gets when he tells Charon his plans to remodel the place.

When I first read it I was like "Huh?" I didn't really see how it fit into this volume, other than a reference to Ranchers, who the Devil maintains are not going to be impressed with his redecoration. It is full of words that sent me to the dictionary and one I never did find: japish.

Finally on rereading it I caught something, a comparison of the Canada Revenue to the IRS, and it started to become clear: Proulx is describing her own version of HELL!

[CellarDweller]

I tried to find that word online, but didn't get anything.

[Clyde-B]

"I've Always Loved This Place" (SPOILER ALERT)

This second story gives the book its title, "Fine Just The Way It Is" is the reply the Devil gets when he tells Charon his plans to remodel the place.

When I first read it I was like "Huh?" I didn't really see how it fit into this volume, other than a reference to Ranchers, who the Devil maintains are not going to be impressed with his redecoration. It is full of words that sent me to the dictionary and one I never did find: japish.

Finally on rereading it I caught something, a comparison of the Canada Revenue to the IRS, and it started to become clear: Proulx is describing her own version of HELL!

My guess would be that it's the adjective form of jape, which means to do something jokingly or mockingly.  If that's true japish would mean joking or mocking.  Since it refers to an article in The Onion, at least the meanng fits.

[shortfiction]

I got this today at the library and I like it already.