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Title: Snow Man by Carolyn Chute ISBN: 0-15-601140-9 Publisher: Harvest Books Pub. Date: 16 February, 2001 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.09 (11 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: A political philosphy not often seen in mainstream fiction
Comment: I read Carolyn Chute's first novel, "The Beans of Egypt, Maine" in 1985. It introduced me to a world of the working poor in a rural area of Maine and I remember how it opened my eyes to their poverty. In "Snow Man", Ms. Chute's fourth novel, some of this territory is familiar. But unlike her other book, this is not a big rambling family saga. Instead, it is a tightly drawn and fast paced story of an urban terrorist, Robert Drummond, a member of a militia, who publicly murders a senator in Boston. Wounded, he flees to the home of another senator who is off in Washington, and therefore away from his home at the time. Here, this second senator's wife and daughter nurse the fugitive back to health and hide him from the authorities.
Ms. Chute's prose is tense and clear although she has a tendency to use words like "orangey" a little too often. She's particularly good at describing wounds and Robert Drummond's painful shoulder wound is a throbbing reminder of his discomfort. But the rest of his hiding-out time certainly is pleasant and there's seduction at play here too, and not just on a physical level. He's portrayed as a strong and sympathetic character and we hear his philosophy of life over and over again. It's shown in bitter contrast to the life of the two upper class women taking care of him. For example, when he tells them his wife had to go out and get a job, the senator's daughter, who just happens to be a professor of women's studies, makes a comment about the need for women to pursue careers and get out of the house. Then she asks what kind of job his wife got. Robert's answer is simple - "McDonalds". There are constant references like that illustrating yuppie naivety about what it means to be poor in America.
I read this novel quickly as the story moved along well, but I just couldn't get into the characters. It seemed unlikely that the two women would become so enamored with this man even though he comes across as attractive and macho. All the people are stereotypes, created by Ms. Chute to forward her own political philosophy. In a way this is refreshing because it is a philosophy not often seen in mainstream fiction. But I never really understood why Robert Drummond's frustration with his poverty and anger about corporate greed would make him want to take the life of another human being. I wonder though, if I, too, am just being naïve.
Those who might want a glimpse into the thought processes of a militiaman might find this book interesting. However, it is only a glimpse and doesn't go deep enough. And the story, while well crafted, is basically superficial.
Rating: 2
Summary: Disappointing
Comment: I anticipated another wonderful Carolyn Chute book when I picked this one up. I did not find any of the colorful characters and unique story that she has entertained me with in the past. It was so far off from her other books, it makes me wonder where she wrote it and why she wrote it.
Rating: 2
Summary: Snow Job
Comment: I guess I'm still just looking for someone to tell me why this book was ever written. Intrigued by The Beans of Egypt Maine and amazed at the breadth and perceptiveness and sheer wonder of Merry Men, despite it's controversial characters, I was struck dumb with disappointment for days after reading Snow Man. The characters are shallow and inconsistent (all of them-- left, right and center). The plot could have been taken from any murder "mystery." And the theme was not only blatantly sensational, but worse, devoid of any real substance. Chute opens the book with the warning that this is only a preview of a larger work to come, more fully exploring right-wing militias. If this is the way she's going to approach them, let's hope she was only kidding. Skip it, and bring us the next Merry Men!
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Title: Merry Men by Carolyn Chute ISBN: 0156001918 Publisher: Harvest Books Pub. Date: March, 1995 List Price(USD): $17.00 |
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Title: Letourneau's Used Auto Parts (A HARVEST BOOK) by Carolyn Chute ISBN: 0156001896 Publisher: Harvest Books Pub. Date: March, 1995 List Price(USD): $11.00 |
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Title: The Beans of Egypt, Maine: The Finished Version by Carolyn Chute ISBN: 0156001888 Publisher: Harvest Books Pub. Date: March, 1995 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
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