The Daily Post from WordPress, offered up a writing prompt that I couldn’t resist. “Tell us about a book you can read again and again without getting bored — what is it that speaks to you?”
Some books never lose their ability to instill a sense of wonder. When you own two or more copies of the same book that’s a big clue that it’s a keeper, a novel I want to read again and again and again.
The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig is just such a marvel. His prose rolls, dances, sings, pirouettes, lilts, surprises, soars and weaves magic in the air. Every page presents a fresh perspective, a nuance never thought of, the use of a word custom designed for his sentences.
His descriptions and explanations don’t overshadow or standout or get in the way like some writer’s “big words” tend to do. No, in The Whistling Season you’ll find yourself transported to the time and place, sights, scents and sounds of the very world he presents. Mr. Doig is a magician with words, deft, precise, entertaining and awe-inspiring.
Characters in this novel become your neighbors, your friends, your relations. You find yourself caring more deeply than you ever thought possible about a person on paper. Your heart will race, you’ll break out in a sweat, you’ll want to close the windows to shut out the weather blowing from the leaves of the book.You’ll feel as if you’re on that horse, crouched behind that outcropping, walking through that field, sitting in that very classroom. Even more, you’ll want to wrap your arms around these people and protect them from the heartaches, the struggles, the meanness, the chill, the noise and the progression of time. You’ll have to hold yourself back from cheering, restrain your tears and keep yourself from singing along.
Rereading The Whistling Season lets me relive a life I never actually lived. I’m transported and entranced any time I read a even a short passage from its jewel-laden pages.
If you’ve ever wondered what excellent writing looks like, feels like and sounds like, here is your chance to find out. You’ll be charmed, captivated and bound up in the very seams of this book.
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That is what I felt to a certain point as i read “Remembering Isaac” by Ben Behunin. I will certainly ready this one that you recommended. It is on my list. I loved your description of it, the way you use so many words. I would love to be able to write my life history in this way so my progeniters would just hang on every word!! See you in a couple of weeks, Mom
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🙂
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Reblogged this on Beeyon Da Roz.
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I have heard of this book – always been curious … now even more so.
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It’s definitely worth looking at!
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You’ve made me want to search it out. Your description is lyrical
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You will love reading it! Enjoy!
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I plan to find it in Hobart. I’ve heard they have great second hand shops down there. Give me some thing to search for
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Just ordered this from the library. I’m chompin at the bit!
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