English Creek is another Doig classic, and the second book in Doig’s trilogy following the life of the McCaskill family in early Montana, in the Two Medicine country and beyond.  We reviewed Dancing at the Rascal Fair yesterday(the first in the trilogy), and will do the third (Dance with Me Mariah Montana) shortly - I’m still re-reading the book.

The book opens set in the early summer of 1939 back in the Two Medicine country of the high Rocky Mountain front in Montana, the story is more or less seen through the eyes of young Jick McCaskill, the grandson of one of the principle characters of Dancing at the Rascal Fair - Angus McCaskill.  The story quick envelopes you as you start the summer with Jick, confused by a family fued between his older brother Alec and the family, and wander with him through the mountain country in work and play with family, friends, and somewhat mysterious characters from the past. 

Doig’s descriptive prose is astoundingly accurate and moving - I can readily see in my minds eye the vistas looking east from the Two Medicine, and his descriptions of working sheep and haying make you seem like you’re there.  Jick’s summer is shaped a great deal by meeting and later working with Stanley - a critically important character from the past, with lessons to teach in the present.  We all need a Stanley in our lives.

Perhaps the most masterful work by Doig is in describing the festivities of the community’s 4th of July celebration, and the forest fire high in the Two Medicine country - the cost of admission to this great story is entirely worth it just for these segments.   If you’ve never been to a small town 4th of July celebration, which of course includes the requisite rodeo here in the West, you’ll go after reading this.   

You’ll stay up late reading this one, another must have Doig…..

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