That Old Ace In The hole

[Trekkie]

Young Bob has problems; not the ones he thinks he has when we meet him, of course, but he listens, he walks his road, and, you really hope that he is happy ever after.
Tales from a part of the US of A that makes it to the international news for all the wrong reasons. I enjoyed it.

[Sue]

I agree - a really good book by a good writer. Makes you want to read more of her books.

[Tess]

Proulx's genius is her ability to transport you into the lives of her characters, they just feel so real. The descriptions of the Panhandle are stunning and it is obvious that Proulx has spent a long time researching the land and its people, the residents of Woolybucket are truly charming.

[waters]

A lot of critics in U.K. thought it too sweet and charming. I think it is just a lovely book about good people, also a welcome antidote to the generally received idea tht Texas is some primitive fascist state interested only in frying as many criminals as possible.
I liked it also, because being a woos, I found Accordian Crimes almost unbearably sad. There ain't much wrong in literature bringing a smile to the face.

[purplebongowoman]

Great read. I couldn't put it down. Bob comes across as an unformed character seeking his place in the world. The pleasure came from the portrayal of Texan life and values, and the way history shapes a place and its people.

[willow]

Hi

I've just finished this book, the first I've read by this author. I really have enjoyed reading this. I thought the structure of the novel excellent, the way the author leads you through the different strands of the story. I liked the main character Bob and felt that here was a 'good' man. The vignettes of minor characters were wonderful, so many original creations. This is a well researched book as I lived in Oklahoma for a year in the late 80's and know the panhandles. Proulx describes the scenery and the towns and people very accurately and I got quite nostalgic. The threads tie in very neatly at the end and my only critiscism is that it's a bit too neat for real life but we all need a 'feelgood' read now and then!!

I would recommend this book highly and will certainly read more of her work.

Willow

[Mouse]

I am just over half way with this novel and I must say I am finding it a bit of a struggle. The gentle pacing and lack of plot is the main reason I am not finding it something I want to pick up and keep reading. Why do all the characters Bob meets have to be quirky, with kooky names? They are used as a means to tell short vignettes and tales, but most of them have no point and don't connect with me - the one tale I felt any emotion for was the one where a young cowboy becomes attached to a young girl and dies after visiting her on her deathbed, but it then turns out this story wasn't what actually happened. Isn't that strange, though, that the impact of it is lessened when you learn it didn't really happen, even though it is a work of fiction anyway?

[Tay]

Proulx is a true story teller, one who believes in her characters and letting them tell the story. She builds on them, slowly weaving, slowly revealing as we become more and more involved in the people of her books.

A funny and warm book full of interesting and yes 'quirky' characters. But I'd rather have quirky than boring.