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Das Neue Tal (2011)

by Josh Weil(Favorite Author)

3.86 of 5 Votes: 4

ISBN

3832196080 (ISBN13: 9783832196080)

languge

English

genre

Fiction

publisher

DuMont

review 1: The first novella in collection, "Ridge Weather," is quite moving, superbly written. About a beef cattle rancher trying to deal with suicide of his father while also, among other things, caring for a stricken steer. Pitch-perfect control. Neither depressing nor sentimental; just achingly honest, with a number of quiet but captivating plot twists. Weil is a true talent.****Ok, finished, except for last piece, Sarverville Remains, which I quit 3 pgs in because I didn't have patience for the voice, that of mentally disabled young man, I think, didn't stick around long enough to find out. Not a principled objection, just wasn't in mood for it, a month ago or now. That kind of thing either works brilliantly or comes off as gimmicky for me. But the first piece, Ridge Weathe... morer, is one of finest contemporary works I've read in long time. It alone is worth price of book. 2nd piece,STillman Wing, about an aging mechanic trying to restore an old tractor and improve his wild daughter's life with alternative therapies, is good but a clear step below Ridge Weather. The pieces fit together too neatly for my taste, lacks the sense of mystery and surprise of first one. Read this with my girlfriend, a native of same locale as Weil's stories, and though she liked them, she thought that in the end his vision of life it a bit too hopeful for a genuine Appalachian writer, and she's read a lot, fiction, poetry and nonfiction, about the area. I don't have anywhere near her experience with the literature of the culture, but can see her point. Just an observation, not a criticism, she says. Make what you what you will of it. But again, the first novella is close to a masterpiece.
review 2: Three compelling novellas written in gorgeous, detail-laden, almost old-fashioned prose. Although the novellas are all set in the small, economically-depressed towns of Virginia and West Virginia, I often felt as if I were reading about the people from my small town in Northern New York--I consider this a testament to Weil's writing. There's something familiar (and heartbreaking) about these characters and their struggles to overcome loneliness in an unforgiving environment. I loved every word. I'll read more by Josh Weil in the future, without question. less

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