The beginning of the dream - Rated 
At a time when the future is closing in on him like a fist, Shed revels in that golden moment when everything is possible - where a family can mean a group of "differents" united against the world in a small town of reprobates that gradually grows hostile and ultimately deserted.
There's a dreamlike quality here which exhudes a cosy sepia glow to each recollection. Even terror is related with an almost affectionate nostalgia.
Its cyclical form - visiting and revisting narratives and locations - returns in the natrual successor to this novel, Spanbauer's arguably even better "Now is the hour". I urge people to read both books, they are unashamedly glorious!
WOW... - Rated
A wild, raunchy, terrible joyride of a story about growing up in the world and getting to know who you are, what you are.
This book is a treasure... So is 'Now is the Hour' by the same author!
A sheer delight! - Rated
The young narrator, Shed is a bisexual half Indian boy who lives Out-In-The-Shed (hence his name) of a whorehouse owned by Ida Richilieu in Excellent, a very small town in Idaho at the beginning of the twentieth century. Out in the shed he is much in demand as he provides relief for many male customers while he earns his keep doing chores for Ida. There are many uncertainties about Shed's origins and parents, se he sets off to find his true self, and his real name. On his way he meets Dellwood Barker and makes eventually contact with some Indians; he thinks he finds some answers, but there is more to come. When Shed returns to Excellent all goes well for a time back at Ida Richilieu's Indian Head Hotel, with Ida, Shed, Dellwood and Alma Hatch forming their own unique family, strength against the troublesome Mormons who are taking over the town, until disaster strikes and everything falls apart.
There are plenty of interesting and idiosyncratic characters populating the tale, and the colourful story moves from drama to tragedy, from harrowing events to very tender moments, all with plenty of humour. However the real pleasure is to be found in the narration itself, Shed's way of expressing himself is delightful: "what my ears heard was me yelling the loudest I'd heard my mouth yell . . .", "I just let my feet and legs go . . .they took me out into the clearing . . ." are typical of Shed's logical thinking, and his endearing way of expressing himself.
It is a very beautiful story, and very moving. Shed is an appealing character who loved those close to him, and especially Dellwood, the only man he ever truly loved. It is a story about prejudice and dreams, about survival against adversity. The final pages are particularly heart rending as everything about Shed's life disintegrates; yet there is also hope and a future.
Talk about not judging a book by it's cover! - Rated
This came highly recommended from a friend but from the cover I thought it was going to be a charming child/teen oriented romp through the wild west. How wrong I was! This is an incredible, at times harrowing journey alongside a character that I found myself empathising with and rooting for more than almost any other I've found in literature.
One of the most moving books I ever read - Rated
This was a gift to me from someone who wanted to tell me about himself. There is so much meaning in every page I had to "put the book down" regularly and stop reading in order to compose myself. What powerful images are conjured up and what strong characters.I have never been affected by a book like this before and I've read a few in my time.
|
