Mahmoud Alkhatib Alkhatib itibaren Bhopaura, Uttar Pradesh 275302, Індія
Longwinded and preoccupied with history. In other short stories and books Proulx proved herself a master at casting a compelling story before a meaningful historical backdrop. To me, when history takes precedence over story the writing suffers. That's what happens here. Proulx doesn't seem to care about her characters so much as the ambitious task she has set before her, which is to follow the peripatetic path of a simple green organetto for a hundred years. Some of her plot twists are interesting. Some of her intersections with history are cool. Sometimes she's showing off. Everything is skullfully written, though, and, of course, we see the button accordion to the end of its life and a good deal of America along the way. Worth a read if you're in for a long, meandering story with hints of magic realism. Otherwise, read Close Range: wyo stories by Proulx and you'll see a powerful writer at work.