I registered this book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/7424506

A story of a family. In it we meet, through their own words, John Wesley Northridge II,his son Paul, his daughter-in-law Naomi, Naomi's daughter Dalva, and Dalva's son Nelse. Other members of the family are mentioned by these five to fill out the family tree.

All of the entries are in the form of journals, journals that others know are being kept. The story begins with large entries by JW II, who is nearing death and writing about the past. We learn about his love of nature, his thoughts for his granddaughter Dalva and his son JW III. We learn that he has accumulated much in his life and is ready to leave it behind.

Interestingly, others in the family do not see JW II the same way he himself does. He is described as cold and demanding. Certainly there is some affection there but it is tempered.

Each of the entries brings us into the life of that person and his or her feelings for others and for nature. They all share, to different extents, a love of the outdoors and of birds in particular. Nelse even methodically makes notes of the birds he encounters on his wanderings, as if for a study (yet he does not undertake official studies).

I found that the writing style was much the same for all, yet that did not bother me. I have read other books where the different characters are created with very different voices yet I don't think this book suffers from the similarity in voice. The thoughts differ, even as they are expressed in similar sentence forms. There is enough detail that I felt I had entered each life and was there with that family member for that time.

It is a beautifully written book. One that I think should not be hurried. It is, as much as anything, a book about how to die, yet it is much more than that. It lingers, along with its lessons. ( )

My favorite book. While my list of "favorites" is usually fluid, this book is always #1. Harrison was at the top of his considerable game with this generational saga. ( )

This is one of the few books I have read more than once! And for good reason. Harrison's understanding of the history and natural history of this region, fantastic use of multiple perspectives, and characterisation make this such a rewarding read. I'll admit, I struggled with it at times, particularly the prose style of Dalva's grandfather, but it was worth it. This sounds sad, but you actually miss the characters when you finish it, which shows how well developed they are. I need to dig out my copy of Dalva now which I fear may be lost! Problem is it's q-hard to get hold of Harrison's writing over in the UK. Damm shame! ( )

Stunning. This book left me shaken and wishing the characters could stay with me just a bit longer. My grandfather introduced me to Jim Harrison this winter and I will always be incredibly grateful. One of the best location/genealogical centered novels I've read since One Hundred Years of Solitude. Harrison knows his characters and the Nebraska country well. Nothing is romantic or overdrawn about this. Just raw, beautiful and devastating.

A plus ( )

The conclusion of Dalva. Dalva walks her road from Nebraska to the Keys. Written mostly from a female's point of view Harrison's oblique view of people and places provides material for rumination and his descriptive writing provides a definite sense of place. ( )